Is Comedy Still Trusted?

Way back in the midway point of the last century, stand-up comedy was everywhere. On TV, in comedy clubs, all over. And, for the most part, people enjoyed what they saw. Topics were wide-ranging and audiences seemed to “get" that “jokes" were being performed. Nobody really made a big deal out of guys like Rickles, or Rivers, or Pryor because we understood what humor was all about. Yes, sometimes jokes went too far but people accepted that what was being said was an odd hybrid of reality, with fantasy, and some social or political madness blended in.

Then we turned the century corner and people became overly sensitive. Lots of reasons for this but, bottom line, comedian in general became turned off to doing what do best, mainly out of fear. Fear of losing audience or appeal or money.

The pandemic hit and nobody performed. Enter the free-wheeling world of online reels and clips where anyone with a phone could say and do whatever they wanted, call it “comedy" and shove it into our faces. And because it was the internet there was no barrier to content. Zip. All was “accepted" regardless of how vile, raunchy, or even how un-funny it was. We screamed “free speech" and collectively gave everyone the finger who didn't celebrate our efforts.

Sadly, this mindset has continued and now there is more “un-funny" comedy than ever before.

Which leads me to ask: Can comedy be trusted?"

Little by little comedy venues are figuring out that audiences still desire, and will pay for, well-written and well-performed comedy. That is very encouraging!

I think we still have a ways to go with restoring comedy’s good name and, hopefully, we who continue to create jokes that are fresh, unique and funny - FUNNY - will do our part in delivering comedy that can, once again, be trusted.

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