Don't Hassle the Hoff

[DeafPoet]

Saying "humour is subjective" does not make crap like the Shatner roast funny.
I have absolutely no problem with comedy that involves horrendous vulgarity so long as it's COMEDY not a bunch of juvenile nonsense that uses rude words as a crutch in lieu of anything that's actually funny.

Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy (back in the day), Billy Connolly Chris Rock, Eddie Izzard, Robin Williams; these are all hilariously funny stand-ups who's acts typically consisted of a LOT of vulgarity, but the vulgarity wasn't the reason they were funny. At least not the sole reason and certainly not the main reason...that is assuming you have an IQ greater than a concussed budgerigar who's lost his little mirror.
They were funny because they are (or in some cases, were) sharp, insightful, intelligent and entertaining. Take all that away and you're left with a bunch of idiots spewing obscenities, which is what I saw at the Shatner roast. That and some issues that George bless him should have really been discussing with his therapist. Bill may have been a complete cock to him 40 years ago but bloody hell, get over it man!

I agree with most of that. I like some insight and intelligence with my comedy as much as the next guy. I also think the Roasts are funny because they're explicitly not about being insightful or intelligent. It's different than when a dumbass like Larry the Cable Guy (who ironically had a Roast) is crude for the sake of it because he and his audience aren't in on the joke.

Those comedians know they're pushing it just for the sake of it and it's being done with a wink. I don't know if you've seen The Aristocrats but that's a perfect example. It's an anti-joke. It's funny because it's so flagrantly crude and not funny.

 

[Trekker4747]

Premieres tonight, folks! As I said, in the past I've not been a fan of these roasts as the jokes are usually above my tastes and not overly funny and sometimes too much directed at the roasters and not the roastee. But this should be interesting.

 

[Aragorn]

I never saw this thread when it was originally posted, but glancing through it now, apparently there are some people who think "sense of humor" should be "scientifically proven and repeatable formula of humor."

 

[RoJoHen]

Premieres tonight, folks! As I said, in the past I've not been a fan of these roasts as the jokes are usually above my tastes and not overly funny and sometimes too much directed at the roasters and not the roastee. But this should be interesting.

I watched Tosh.0 for 2 hours before the Roast started, and all the commercials completely turned me off. I have a feeling it's going to be a very unfunny special.

 

[Trekker4747]

Watching it now.

I'm glad we got Lisa Lamponeli out of the way first.

And Jesus Christ! You're supposed to roast the man being honored![/I, not the dais.

Someone just kill her, please.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The only roast I ever enjoyed watching was the Denis Leary one.

My God, I don't think I've laughed so hard in my life. Especially Denis' rebuttal speech.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I never saw this thread when it was originally posted, but glancing through it now, apparently there are some people who think "sense of humor" should be "scientifically proven and repeatable formula of humor."

Actually I believe most of think that someone with a sense of humor should actually be...what's the word I'm searching for here?...that's right...funny.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Oh my, how can you take snarky humor from a guy who looks like Jeffrey Ross in that outfit?

 

[Trekker4747]

I fast-forwarded through Lisa Lamponeli's bit which, ugh.

The rest of it? Actually not too bad. The rest of the roasters were funny, Hulk Hogan was good, Pamela Anderson is somehow still hot and overall it was humorous and met my expectations.

It wasn't as OTT vulgar and disgusting as the Shatner roast was, but still had some moments and still too much roasting on the panel as opposed to The Hoff for my tastes, but I actualy enjoyed it.

But please, please, please can we get rid of Lisa Lamponeli?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

IMHO, Lisa Lampanelli is about as funny as watching paint dry.

Then again, I never did much care for insult comics.

 

[Trekker4747]

Insult comics are fine and good.

Being a loud-mouthed, nasty, druken whore who laughs and tells jokes like the fat woman in the small cubicle at the call center isn't funny.

I will say that my interest in Whitney Cummings is piqued. This may or may not have anything to do with her fantastic legs and seeing her flash some panties.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

Ridiculously vulgar jokes are those roasts' raison d'etre. Call it crass and unfunny all you want, but you're missing the point. It's funny because they're going so ridiculously over the top.

It's an hour and a half of "Oh yeah? Can you top THIS?" Some of the jokes suck in and of themselves, but when woven into a tapestry of disgusting one-upsmanship it becomes funny.

This.

 

[doubleohfive]

I will say that my interest in Whitney Cummings is piqued. This may or may not have anything to do with her fantastic legs and seeing her flash some panties.

The hell you say? This is so incredibly out of character for you!

On topic: I missed the roast, but I was hoping to see it. Knowing Comedy Central they'll put it out on DVD so I guess I'll have to wait till then, but still... sounds like it was a good one.

 

[Level 2 Diagnostic]

Jesus, it's a fucking roast! Are people really watching them expecting subtle, understated wit, or jokes that really make you think? The whole point is celebs getting ripped a new one.

 

[Trekker4747]

Jesus, it's a fucking roast! Are people really watching them expecting subtle, understated wit, or jokes that really make you think? The whole point is celebs getting ripped a new one.

Is there some definition of a roast that I've over-looked that says it has to be all vulgar jokes without little to no variety or creativity in them?

Because I get that they're supposed to wail on him, I just don't think a near two hour block of vagina and penis jokes is greatly funny.

I am further confused by the panel being roasted almost as much as the honoree.

 

[Adm. Bonz]

Jesus, it's a fucking roast! Are people really watching them expecting subtle, understated wit, or jokes that really make you think? The whole point is celebs getting ripped a new one.

Exactly. Everyone who is on the show expects to get ripped. Its part of the fun, you take your lumps then dish out some of your own. Nobody is safe, and the more outrageous the better.

Most of the stars do it for charity, which is why these Comedy Central ones have very different people being roasted.

And I think Lisa Lamponelli is hilarious!! She makes fun of EVERYONE, no one is safe. Saw her last special on CC and haven't laughed that hard ever. God shes great.

 

[Sephiroth]

why is Lisa Lamponelli on T.V.? and I thought Gilbert Gottfrey died of an aneurisim in 1999

 

[Jack Bauer]

why is Lisa Lamponelli on T.V.? and I thought Gilbert Gottfrey died of an aneurisim in 1999

She's funny. Crude but funny.

 

[Vendikarr]

I am further confused by the panel being roasted almost as much as the honoree.

This happened on the Dean Martin roasts as well. Don Rickles would rip into Dean and other panel members as well as the guest of honor.

But of course Don Rickles is funny.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ The Dean Martin roasts are pure, absolute, unvarnished comedy GOLD.