Well, Excuuuuuse Him (Steve Martin Hasn't Been Funny Since Cocaine Stopped Being Popular Edition)

Nick Gillespie | October 24, 2005

That collective yawn you heard emanating from Washington, D.C. over the weekend? That was the response to Steve Martin being honored with the eighth annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday.

Martin joins other has-beens and comic milquetoasts such as Richard Pryor and Carl Reiner in taking home the prize, which certifies that you haven't been truly funny for at least the past 20 years. When Pryor became the first ex-comic to be entombed with the Twain award in 1999, some wise fool advised America to "Send Out the Clowns," including one Steve Martin:

The ex-wild-and-crazy guy, who once spoke in a stoned manner of "getting small," devoted album sides to banjo playing, and made clever movies such as Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid and The Man with Two Brains, has fully achieved his goal of becoming Woody Allen West. That is, he's a "serious" artiste now, having appeared in a Broadway - yes, that serious - production of Waiting for Godot, penned his own dramedy about Einstein and Picasso meeting in Paris, and contributed to The New Yorker, all without ever once inspiring laughter, amusement, or entertainment - or for that matter, any insight whatsoever into the existential human misery to which he has contributed significantly (Sgt. Bilko is a surer sign that God is dead than anything Jean-Paul Sartre could cook up). In short, Martin has become every bit as mummified - and in clean-and-sober hindsight, every bit as unfunny - as the King Tut he once sang about with such reckless abandon.

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Jeff P.|10.24.05 @ 9:11AM|#

I recently listened to the audiobook of Martin reading his novel The Pleasure of My Company. It was quite funny. I also thought Picasso at the Lapin Aguile was funny, if only for the fact that it hinges on a time-travelling Elvis.

The fact that Suck routinely praises the current run of SNL is indicative of what they consider funny.

|10.24.05 @ 9:28AM|#

Fifteen years. I rather enjoyed "LA Story".

|10.24.05 @ 9:34AM|#

"Woody Allen West"? Jesus, it's not like he's fucking his ex-daughter.

|10.24.05 @ 9:38AM|#

You must be kidding...

Cocaine is still quite popular... perhaps not hysterical-cover-story-of-a-news-magazine popular, but still pretty popular.

|10.24.05 @ 9:39AM|#

I also enjoy Martin's stuff, although his essays have a bit too much of a "Look, I went to an Ivy League school!" feel to them.

And, although it's been more years than I want to acknowlege, his portrayal of the dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors" was hysterically funny.

Warren|10.24.05 @ 9:53AM|#

Too true Nick. In recent years I started thinking that I was loosing my sense of humor with age. Everything that is suppose to be hysterical, I find to be stupid (everything ever made by Adam Sandler, Tom Green, and Jim Carry e.g. Dumb and Dumber indeed). But then I saw an old SNL hosted by Steve Martin when he was on his game and laughed my ass off.

Since then I've been re-listening to the funny men of my youth, Bill Cosby, and George Carlin circa 1970. I've dusted off older stuff like Tom Lehrer and Lenny Bruce (but did Dick Gregory actually make anyone laugh?). Movies ranging from Dr. Strangelove, to Blazing Saddles, to Caddyshack, I still think are brilliant.

The problem with funny is, it's only truly funny once. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did the first time I listened to "Let's Get Small". Anyone care to nominate something produced in the past twenty years?

|10.24.05 @ 9:56AM|#

You use his "king tut" song to illustrate what you consider to be the peak of his comedy??? That's just sad, and it gives good perspective to the rest of your thoughts.

Stormy Dragon|10.24.05 @ 10:01AM|#

Well, if your idea of comedy only extends to Hollywood movies, then you're right.

However, if you cast your cultural net a bit father, you discover he hasn't lost his talent as much as moved on to other areas. His play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, for instance was absolutely brilliant comedy.

|10.24.05 @ 10:02AM|#

"Martin joins other has-beens and comic milquetoasts such as Richard Pryor..."

I'm sorry Nick, but calling Richard Pryor - unquestionably the greatest stand-up comedian of all time - a 'comic milquetoast' is laughable and NOT in a good way.

Perhaps you didn't like his movies with Gene Wilder and I realize that MS has slowed his pace of creativity just a tad, but I can't possibly imagine what compelled you to say this.

Come to think of it, what did?

Nick Gillespie|10.24.05 @ 10:08AM|#

Two clarifications:

1. However poorly phrased in the old Suck piece, my point re: "King Tut" is that it was never funny and that Martin was now unfunny like that all the time.

2. Re: Richard Pryor. Whether he's the greatest blah blah blah of all time notwithstanding (what could that possibly mean, really?), I was calling him a has-been, not a comic milquetoast (that's Carl Reiner in that sentence).

|10.24.05 @ 10:24AM|#

"The fact that Suck routinely praises the current run of SNL is indicative of what they consider funny." Uh, Jeff? Suck hasn't been updated in five years...

There's some truth to the general observation that funny young comedians rarely become funny old comedians. Maybe you can't be fat and happy and still be funny - which might suggest why angrier, more political comedians stay funny longer (assuming they started out funny; why anyone ever saw anything in Al Franken is beyond me). What about Chevy Chase, for example? He was huge back in the '70s, and where is he now? Starring in Karate Dog III or something?

|10.24.05 @ 10:28AM|#

Nick,

Kinda mean-spritied and unnecessarily harsh, don't ya' think.

I rather liked L.A. Story and a number of other Martin ventures. Sure, sometimes he does crap and falls on his face and sometimes he churns out some genuinely interesting stuff.

Picasso at the Lapin Aguile is - despite your opinion - kinda cool.

Comic Milquetoasts? Come on, Nick. These guys ALL blazed new trails in comedy and entertainment for lots of people on lots of levels.

Maybe they are no longer relevent...but they were and noone can take that away from them. You ought to have a little more respect for that.

Anybody can be a critic. And it takes neither talent or guts to knock others when they don't measure up to your narrow, subjective standard.

|10.24.05 @ 10:29AM|#

The lesson is that there is a finite window of funny in any human being. The faster culture changes, the shorter the window. All comedians should strive to burn like the sun for a year or two, then settle down into a career in writing where amusing is good enough.

|10.24.05 @ 10:38AM|#

We can quibble about the reliability or accuracy of qualitative measurements for determining what 'the greatest stand-up of all time' means, I agree. It is hard to put into real terms what Pryor's title actually defines.

But what is not up for debate is that a) black comics like Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Damon Wayans probably would not exist were it not for Pryor's groundbreaking efforts, b) the stand-up comedy landscape today - particularly with including truly dark honesty in material - is shaped in large part by Pryor's influence, c) some of the greatest comics of our generation (including the aforemention) like Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Doug Stanhope, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Louie C.K., Nick DiPaolo, and Colin Quinn have all acknowledged Pryor as an influence, hero and inspiration to their lives and art.

I guess I also don't understand the title of 'has-been.' Isn't that reserved for someone who's talent and appeal is past its prime, yet they force themselves into the spotlight anyway they can, thereby embarassing themselves in their efforts? Pryor has made his share of creative errors, but something about 'has-been' doesn't seem to fit.

That or I am a Pryor nuthugger.

|10.24.05 @ 10:42AM|#

Looks like we have more proof here that comedy is not pretty.

It might be that being funny takes too much energy for most comedians past a certain age to pull off. The few that I can think of who've remained funny beyond middle age have done it by having some kind of workable formula (Dangerfield?) or more rarely out of sheer brilliance (Groucho). When I hear Carlin these days he sounds like the crankiest old man on the planet (still funny sometimes), otherwise they tend to lose their edge or leave comedy altogether.

Anyway, what's the big deal about giving these guys awards, even if they are past it? Nobody thinks to honor them much when they're hot because they're such smartasses usually, while at the same time any actress with a nice face and a hot bod can get lucky and pick up an Oscar if she gives a halfway decent performance in a successful movie.

In other words, lighten up, Nick, you'll be a cranky old fart yourself before you know it.

taktix|10.24.05 @ 10:58AM|#

Warren,

As for nominating something funny in the last 20 years, how about the Tenacious D album?

They managed to lampoon the entire hair-metal genre in one album, and the final song, "City Hall," is a whole rock opera rolled into one song.

It's not as laugh out loud funny, but funny when you think back 15 years -- the crap Tenacious D writes about today was actual serious material back then.

Then again, maybe I'm so starved for substance that I am willing to lower my standards (wait, what standards?)

|10.24.05 @ 11:12AM|#

The Jerk = Lifetime Comic Pass (for Carl Reiner as well)

I was born a poor black child in Mississippi.

Best opening line in the history of the written word. Fuck Tolstoy. (ok, it's not technically the opening line, but that's how it's remembered)

Pappa Johnson: Son this is shit. This is Shinola. Shit. Shinola. Shit. Shilnola.

Navin: That's shit and that's Shinola.

Pappa Johnson: You're gonna be fine son.

I watched it the other day and it still holds up. Martin has gotten a little high tone, but so what. That's the point of success. Make a lot of money so you can do the projects you want to do and give a rats ass if anyone likes it. He is Woody west in that way.

My favorite Martin anecdote is the way he handles autograph seekers. He wordlessly gives them a card with his signature inscribed with these words:

This certifies that you have had a personal encounter with me and that you found me witty, charming and intelligent.

Pompous? Maybe. Funny? I think so.

So get off Martin's back and remember theses simple keys to life:

Lord loves a workin' man; don't trust whitey; see a doctor and get rid of it.

Brian|10.24.05 @ 11:23AM|#

"some of the greatest comics of our generation (including the aforemention) like Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Doug Stanhope, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Louie C.K., Nick DiPaolo, and Colin Quinn"

I have to object to this. If you want a list of people who think being angry or uselessly profane is a substitue for being funny, this is close to it with the addendum of Colin Quinn, who has never amused anyone. These guys may think Pryor influenced them, but all they heard was "fuck".

|10.24.05 @ 11:32AM|#

Scott Russ,

For point of clarification, she was never his daughter.

|10.24.05 @ 11:36AM|#

Sounds like someone's just a little cranky because he didn't get a chance to attend last night, because those of us who were there definitely weren't feeling bored or let down. And complaining that recipients of "lifetime achievement"-style awards aren't in the full creative flush of youth has to be one of the sillier things I've ever seen.

As far as the comments go, including sour-faced button pushing hacks like Patrice O'Neal and Nick DiPaolo in the same list as Bill Hicks is very nearly sacrilege. These guys would barely even have careers if it wasn't for Colin Quinn's unlamented canceled Comedy Central "talk" show.

|10.24.05 @ 11:38AM|#

Bill Hicks and Kinison = Greatness

Stanhope = Flashes of really good

Louie C.K. = Better writer than stand up

Norton = Wants to be a bad boy but went on Last Comic Standing

DiPaolo, O'Neal, Quinn = Eh - sometimes I chuckle

|10.24.05 @ 11:44AM|#

How did Whoopi Goldberg ever win this prize? Even one doesn't personally care for the comedy of Reiner, Newhart, Winters, or Tomlin, one has to admit that they certainly had a popular and influential body of work. But Whoopi?

|10.24.05 @ 11:50AM|#

Brian,

Objection noted...and overruled.

Yes sir, Bill Hicks comedy albums/DVDs/biographies are still selling even 12 years after his death because all he ever did was jiggle his genitalia on stage and toot a bicycle horn while he screamed "pussy fart!!!"

Louie C.K. and Jim Norton suck so bad, they're writing and staring (respectively) in a new HBO sitcom.

I don't understand why comics beg Colin Quinn for facetime so he can critque their sets. I've seen with my own eyes a couple of times, but I just don't understand why they'd want expert advice from one of the most scientific comics around when they bomb just fine by themselves.

Patrice O'Neal licks so much balls his new HBO One Night Stand special is being acclaimed by comics nationwide.

Sam Kinison? He just yelled a lot. That's why people filled stadiums to listen to him.

Nick DiPaolo is so awful he won a couple of Emmy's for writing for some show no one's ever heard of called "The Chris Rock Show."

People, wake up. Everyone loves to criticize entertainers despite knowing jack shit about what they're talking about while they forget to realize they live their lives in complete anonymity for a reason. Look, we post comments on a blog written by other people. Guess what? That's free and anyone chimp smart enough to operate a mouse and keyboard can do it. I don't know about you, but my parents are proud of me now that I post comments people forget about after 3 nanoseconds.

Honestly, what the fuck have you done with your life where people wait in line and fill huge venues to listen to what you have to say? I'm not trying to be a dick, but your statement is just ridiculous.

|10.24.05 @ 11:53AM|#

Whoopi wins beacuse they needed to give an award to a black female comedian and Moms Mably was dead.

I don't know. I've never understood Whoopi. Or Billy Crystal for that matter. Talk about a guy who gets less funny with every birthday. Why don't you bust his balls Nick?

|10.24.05 @ 12:09PM|#

Old people aren't very funny. I know because I'm getting old and turning into a grouch.

|10.24.05 @ 12:11PM|#

Not a Bama,

Agree with you 95%.

Norton will always be a pussy in my eyes for doing Last Comic Standing. But other than that I agree with your take on all those guys. But, don't play the what have you done card.

We can't criticize because we don't have sitcoms or have never done stand up? Well I guess I shouldn't post anything about the feds fucking up the Katrina response because I've never run FEMA. That's retarded.

I am the audience. It's these guys� jobs to amuse me. If they don't I reserve the right to say they suck. And just because they have a sitcom or a stand up special doesn't mean that they are geniuses. If that were the case I would be wrong in saying that I wish Jim Belushi had shot up with a speedball instead of John. Or that Carlos Mencina is a fucking hack's hack that's not even Mexican or funny. Or that Pauly Shore owes me for the air he takes from me every day by walking this earth.

|10.24.05 @ 12:13PM|#

When you accomplish what Pryor accomplished and then have to stop doing comedy (stand-up, that is, his best medium, by far) because of a crippling disease, is it really fair (or even very nice) to call him a has-been?

And Carl Reiner is unsurpassed as a comedy writer/performer in the 20th century. Grab some of Sid Caesar's DVD's and watch Reiner and you'll have to admit he was an absolute master. The fact that he also co-wrote and directed "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid," is important, as well. He might not be to everyone's taste, but there has never been a greater comedy performer than Carl Reiner.

|10.24.05 @ 12:18PM|#

Ralphus -

Fair enough. I don't like Mencia or "According to Jim." But there's a real biiiiiiig difference between saying someone sucks and "They don't appeal to me."

And if people want to someone's not good, they a) probably shouldn't list the best comics out right now as evidence since and b) they should probably know a lot about comedy and stand-up before opining so fervently.

If someone doesn't appeal to you, ok, cool. My dad is a smart guy, but doesn't like Hicks and there's any number of reasons to explain that. But I'd bitchslap my dad if he ever tried to make the claim that Hicks isn't talented.

It's impossible to be hilarious for several decades running. The best a comic can do is to morph into a regular, albeit witty, actor. Steve Martin, meet Bill Murray.
Comedy is like Rock & Roll in this respect. I love Sticky Fingers, but I wish Mick would just stop it already.

Norton will always be a pussy in my eyes for doing Last Comic Standing.

Why is Jim Norton trying to make money (not easy as a stand-up, no matter how good you are) on Last Comic Standing make him a pussy? That man is fucking funny. And while there's nothing wrong with not liking Bill Hicks (or even Carl Reiner) the fact that he's loved and admired by most successful comedians (not because of his "message," but because he knew how to write and tell a joke), counts for a little more.

James Anderson Merritt|10.24.05 @ 12:19PM|#

I think that Gillespie's choice of the phrase, "has been," to describe Pryor was just plain sloppy, something I wouldn't have expected from a person who makes words his business. It doesn't seem right to use that term to describe people who were taken out of the game by accident or disease, as Pryor was.

"Has been" seems more fitting to describe someone whose talent or relevance was found wanting in the normal course of artistic or commercial competition, or who walked away from the limelight by choice or personal failing, but who keeps trying, in vain, to recapture or at least trade in past glory.

Regarding Martin, I thought "The Jerk" was a waste of my time and money, but I have been entertained and even amused by other Martin efforts, over the years: I always thought he was a better comic actor than a stand-up comedian (I also loved his dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors"); he was perhaps best as a writer. I'd be interested to know the extent of his contribution to the old Smothers Brothers show, which remains a fond memory from my pre-teen years.

I thought Pryor deserved the Twain prize, as his best routines were always honest, human, and uniquely American. Pryor made waves and scandalized the prudish with his use of street vernacular and situations; Twain employed regional dialect and slavery to similar effect in "Huckeberry Finn." I wasn't so sure about Tomlin's suitability for the prize (though I have loved her work as well), and for that matter, I doubt that I would have nominated, much less voted for, any of the other winners of the prize -- not because they weren't funny (at least, at times) or that I didn't like and respect their work and influence on the field, but because I never saw them as kindred spirits to Twain (as, for instance, I saw Will Rogers, Groucho Marx, and Richard Pryor). Martin just doesn't seem right for the prize, but I expect that Twain would have appreciated his banjo playing, as I do.

|10.24.05 @ 12:19PM|#

Alright - my comments have been reduced to a series of typos. That means I'm finished on this topic. Peace.

|10.24.05 @ 12:22PM|#

The Picasso play was hilarious. Martin's essays have been hilarious. The fact that he decided to grow rather than continuing to show up on stage with an arrow through his head and repeating the same old schtick gets Kudos from me even if it doesn't tickle your funny or any other bone.

It is a shame that that hollywood doesn't support an artist like Martin and he has to do crappy slapstick to make a check but there is no shame in that. He is still putting out intelligent and hilarious stuff even if you have to look for it. Try "How I joined Mensa".

He was the best host of the Oscars since, well I can't think of anybody that came close. Didn't Bob Hope do those once?

Whoopi Goldberg hasn't been funny since Color Purple.

bb

Warren|10.24.05 @ 12:32PM|#

I don't know. I've never understood Whoopi. Or Billy Crystal for that matter. Talk about a guy who gets less funny with every birthday. Why don't you bust his balls Nick?

Word. For the record, I like about half of Whoopi's work, Jumpin Jack Falsh was a gas (sorry, had to go there). I think her one-woman show I saw back in the 80's was brilliant. But I have never found Billy Crystal anything more than mildly amusing, and that includes his stand-up and his work on SOAP.

I'll also throw in Robert DeNero and Ben Stiller as actors that are always unfunny.

As far as Richard Pryor being the genesis of black comedy. That's just stupid. There were dozens of ground breaking black comedians before him. Redd Foxx, preceded him by fifty years for crying out loud. Bill Cosby credits his early brand of comedy with trying to distinguish himself from all the other black comedians who were universally talking about race.

|10.24.05 @ 12:37PM|#

Not A Bama,

Fair enough back at cha. That list probably wasn't the best list of modern comics to bag on (still hate Norton). But any one of those guys would have no problem saying another comic sucks. I don't remember Hicks saying that Leno wasn't his cup of tea. But I do remeber him doing an impression of Leno eating an UZI.

|10.24.05 @ 12:38PM|#

Just to be clear, Redd Foxx preceded Pryor by about 20 years. I think Pryor was as funny as Bill Cosby was, just in completely different ways.

|10.24.05 @ 12:46PM|#

I don't remember Hicks saying that Leno wasn't his cup of tea. But I do remeber him doing an impression of Leno eating an UZI.

There are three reasons for that, in my opinion.

First, when you're a successful and admired comedian, your opinion regarding comdedy carries more weight than someone who enjoys comedy, but never makes it.

Second, Hicks (like most of us) thought that Leno used to be a great comedian (and Leno actually helped Hicks on his way up), but that he'd completely changed into shill for superficial, middle-American values.

And finally, Hicks was dying of cancer when he did that bit and I think he was in the "anger" stage.

|10.24.05 @ 12:47PM|#

Les,

Anyone that touched that show was a pussy. He was worse to me because he talked shit about how stupid it was while trying like hell to make it on. What is it Jimmy? Are you a bad boy or a network friendly comic? Make up your mind. Besides that, I've never heard one memorable line from him. It's all pretty generic angry comic stuff. That and I have some kind of irrational hatred for him. Besides that he's great.

Now to open another can of worms - can someone explain Dane Cook to me?

|10.24.05 @ 12:57PM|#

But why is a comic a "pussy" for trying to make money on a network show? How many comedians have made a living doing shows they thought were stupid? That's not being a pussy. It's surviving in show business.

|10.24.05 @ 1:00PM|#

I just want to draw some attention to Martin's oft-overlooked comic masterpiece, The Man With Two Brains.

|10.24.05 @ 1:01PM|#

First, when you're a successful and admired comedian, your opinion regarding comedy carries more weight than someone who enjoys comedy, but never makes it.

I don't buy this. I've never played football, does that mean I can't say the Texans suck? I've never written a novel, does that mean I can't say the DaVinci Code is crap? Professional opinions are not necessarily better opinions. Exhibit A: Joe Theisman.

I've watched as much comedy as anyone out there. I know what's good and what's bad. And I also know that it's all just my opinion. Jeff Foxworthy's Blue Collar Empire attests to that.

|10.24.05 @ 1:06PM|#

Most of the great comedians were funniest while they were neurotic fuck-ups. Money and age have a way of curing neurotic fuck-upedness...

|10.24.05 @ 1:14PM|#

Ralphus,

I don't disagree with you. It's not an absolute. I just always find the opinions of people who make art more interesting than the opinions of those who enjoy it.

|10.24.05 @ 1:15PM|#

In regards to their art, that is. I don't give a fuck what an artist thinks about foreign policy, for instance.

|10.24.05 @ 1:26PM|#

I don't give a fuck what an artist thinks about foreign policy, for instance.

Me neither. They should stick to something they know something about. Rainforest biology, for instance.

Les,

You're right. I can't knock a guy for trying to make a buck. Especially if your Gary Gulman or John Heffron. But if Little Jimmy Norton is such a rebel, why would he want to go the Saggat route? Sure Saggat has lots of cash, but is he happy? Probably. But that's not the point.

We talk about age ruining great comedians; network TV has been the downfall of more careers. For every Seinfeld and Raymond there are thousands of shitty pilots featuring neutered comics smoldering in a heap.

Now some guys can make network work for them. Carlin was extremely mainstream in his early days, but he parlayed that success into the ability to do things the way he wanted to. The difference is now you don't have to play the game to make it big. I�m not personally a fan, but Dane Cook is a good example. Here's a guy that has built a cottage industry around himself with very little mass exposure. Now he's getting film work and will probably have a sitcom before too long that he'll have substantial control over because he's bringing a bankable name with him. He didn�t whore himself out to the net on a fucking reality show.

Hicks would have ripped Jimmy Norton a new one.

|10.24.05 @ 1:32PM|#

The question remains: How to explain the Carrot Top phenomenon...

Hey, maybe Norton is miserable with himself already. Then your vengeance will be complete!

I see Dana Cook going the comedy/action/cop movie route. Or something. I'm not a fan either, but he certainly is enthusiastic. About something.

|10.24.05 @ 1:37PM|#

Damn your drunk tests are hard.

The Man With Two Brains was great.

Dr.Hfuhruhurr: You. You're the elevator killer. Merv Griffin.

Merv Griffin: Yeah.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr: Why?

Merv Griffin: I don't know. I've always just loved to kill. I really enjoyed it. But then I got famous, and - it's just too hard for me. And so many witnesses. I mean, *everybody* recognized me. I couldn't even work anymore. I'd hear, "Who's that lurking over there? Isn't that Merv Griffin?" So I came to Europe to kill. And it's really worked out very well for me.

|10.24.05 @ 1:44PM|#

Les,

I relaize my hatred of Norton is bordering on obsessive. I'll let it go.

I'm Dave Attel fan myself. When it comes to fat, bald and bitter drunken comics there can be only one.

I hang out wth an albino, a midget and a guy that thinks Lord of the Rings is real. Together we call ourselves the Unfuckables.

|10.24.05 @ 1:58PM|#

ralphus,

And Carl Reiner co-wrote and directed The Man with Two Brains thirty years after he was a huge TV star on Sid Caesar's shows! Never should anyone slag on Reiner. Ya hear that Gillespie?! Never!

And I'm in complete agreement about Dave Attel. He's so fucking quick and can really write a good joke. I love him.

|10.24.05 @ 2:13PM|#

RIP Hedberg

|10.24.05 @ 2:18PM|#

Not only is it hard to stay funny for long, but looking back at things that used to be funny, it's usually hard to figure out why they were so funny in the first place.

The Stooges are the exception that proves the rule.

|10.24.05 @ 2:38PM|#

The Marx Bros. remain hilarious, especially in their earlier movies. And again, Sid Caesar's shows had moments of timeless brilliance.

taktix|10.24.05 @ 2:57PM|#

For one, I saw Dave Attel live and became a fan only after that, because his ability to read a crowd is not conveyed on television.

Secondly, as far as crap sitcoms, I recently read an article about 90210 cast members -- a sort of "where are they now" thing. Three or four of them have sitcoms ready to take over the mid-season cancelled sitcoms. It's like a backup tank to ensure the shit stream doesn't run dry.

One comic that seems to have been ommitted so far is Steven Wright. Deadpan is extremely hard to do well, and the only other one in recent memory who pulled it off is, of course, Bob Newhart.

|10.24.05 @ 3:01PM|#

Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Carl Reiner ...

Ceasar had a murderers row of writing talent behind him.

|10.24.05 @ 3:05PM|#

I want to get a full body tattoo of myself only taller.

Wright is great. Too bad his southern comedy cousin Mitch Hedberg had to check out on us.

Morat|10.24.05 @ 3:24PM|#

Picasso at the Lapin Agile was quite good -- probably one of the funniest plays I'd see at that point. Hell, it's been 5 to 10 years since I saw it, and I still fondly remember the line: "A four corner triangle is what Euclid rides IN HELL!".

|10.24.05 @ 3:41PM|#

Don't forget Carl Reiner created the wonderful Dick Van Dyke Show, patterning it after his own life. ("Richie" is meant to be Rob Reiner!) Even hacky Garry Marshall (tho I like him OK) helped write some later DVDS episodes like the very funny "Odd But True".

|10.24.05 @ 6:35PM|#

I'm surprised nobody appreciated the capitalist sentiment expressed by Martin:

In receiving the award, Martin called it "the only significant American award for comedy -- except for money."

Beautiful.

|10.24.05 @ 7:19PM|#

"As a Libertarian, I believe that consenting adults have the right to do whatever they want, except band together."

-- Emo Phillips is pretty timeless.

|10.24.05 @ 7:20PM|#

That's Emo Phillips -- the fucked-up man's Steven Wright.

IWasBornAnAffluentLibertarianC|10.25.05 @ 12:50AM|#

You are right. He is not funny any more. Now, redneck standup, that's hilarious!

Thank God for redneck standups. If they weren't here to pave the way for the future of standup comedy, God knows where we would be.

P.S. Who is Rick Prier?

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