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1. ChrisO says:

   December 13, 2005 at 2:22 pm

   I know you tend to the conservative side politically, but I think you’re letting your politics sway you a little. The author of this article compares a master of the craft with a comic who’s not very funny, and goes for the cheap laugh. He then extrapolates that to make the point that left of center politics are generally not funny, and foul language cheapens comedy. C’mon, Cho’s an easy target, and hardly representative of anything other than a not very funny comic. I usually count on you guys to defend the craft a little more than that.

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2. Brian McKim & Traci Skene says:

   December 13, 2005 at 3:44 pm

   Thanks for the commentary.We are not sure we agree with your characterization of the author’s piece. In the course of reviewing a book and a special by a comedian, the author compares two comics, Margaret Cho and Robert Klein (whom he describes as a “common sense liberal”), and makes the point that Klein is the superior comic of the two. He backs up the opinion with some analysis.He states that he “rented the video because funny is funny, even if it comes from liberals.” Which is in direct contradiction to your contention that he makes the point that “left of center politics are generally not funny.” We’ve never heard or read anything but high praise for Cho. She is regularly cited in the MSM as a genius, unparalleled in the social commentary department. (In fact, the nastiest thing we’ve ever heard anyone say about her was your above statement, that she is “a comic who’s not very funny.”)The article appeared in the online version of The American Spectator, a conservative-leaning monthly magazine covering news and politics, so it might not be a shock to see Cho savaged there. What made the article of interest to us (and, it is hoped, to our readers) was a somewhat reasoned analysis of humor– praise for Pryor, an appreciation of Klein, kind words for Al Franken, and an honest appraisal of Carlin. We are always on the lookout for any intelligent treatment of standup in a mainstream publication. Far too often we find the commentary to be simple-minded, heavy-handed and unqualified in its negativity.We will agree with you that there was mild condemnation of foul language, but hardly enough to be of note, just enough to note that Klein uses it sparingly and effectively and, by comparison, Cho does not– a fair comparison and an interesting point.Cho an easy target? Cho can take it, we think. It’s a devastating critique, but we found little in it to quarrel with. You yourself characterized her as “a not very funny comic.” Twice! Who is defending the craft, who isn’t?

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3. DrEx says:

   December 13, 2005 at 6:50 pm

   Shecky editors get it right as usual! I just wanted to add that as possibly the lone conservative comic in NYC (although I don’t do political humor), I have to listen to a lot of attempts at political humor, which is just bashing Bush, glorifying abortion, etc., without any clever insights. Only in Manhattan could you get a laugh by saying, “and if you see a Republican, just shoot them”.

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4. ChrisO says:

   December 14, 2005 at 3:03 pm

   I guess we have two different impressions of Cho’s place in the universe. While I realize she has a somewhat intense following, most of the comics I know (including myself) can’t stand her. She panders to her true believers with really weak material. To me, drawing a contrast between her and Klein is like comparing Seinfeld to Carrot Top. That’s what I mean when I say she’s an easy target.

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