Being Mr. Kenny

Recently (i.e., over the last few years) I’ve been noticing a new form of humour. Maybe it’s always been around and is becoming more fashionable, I don’t know. I’m not really someone who likes to take creative things completely to pieces to look at them, I think it’s disrespectful somehow. Find out how they work, yes, but don’t tear it up so much that you kill it. This goes for art critics, music critics, people who study English Lit, whatever. Take things so far, then remember that you shouldn’t be too scientific. Being too scientific is rude, and could be dangerous to your health.

But yeah, my friend told me to search for Anthony Jeselnik on YouTube because he thought I’d like it. Now let’s be fair: I like this kind of humour. It’s politically incorrect and challenges some people, which I think can only be a good thing. But I have discovered something: it’s too easy and is boring.

Let me first clear up what on earth I’m talking about. It’s that type of humour where you can say something offensive, but say it ironically so that it’s funny. For example, I recently read two blog posts on Chelsea Perretti’s blog, entitled “Merry Christmas” and “Cancel that Merry Christmas (due to Jews)”. I may not have quoted it perfectly, but that’s the gist.

Now, I like that. I like it very much, in fact. It’s just funny. But I think there’s a danger of taking things too far so that they’re not creative any more. Anyone can make a racial slur and not mean it. There’s no wit, no cleverness, no cheekiness. This humour works because people go “did she really just say that… no wait — she’s joking!” Once it becomes too formulaic, it’s just not funny any more. Like, “racist + not meaning it = funny”.

I guess maybe jokes need context like a jellyfish needs water — once you remove it, the whole thing collapses into some big, shapeless, useless blob that just leaves you feeling sorry for whatever it is you have in your hand. That and in a lot of pain — pain that can only be cured by peeing on yourself. (Though I just saw that that’s a myth. Alas, Google, thou art too quick.)