I completely disagree. I think he was a complete genius, more because of his originality than acting ability. Nothing he did was laugh out loud funny, but that was not the kind of comedy he created. You laugh out loud at the Airplane movies, but there is no real social commentary to them. I think Andy Kaufman comedy was more pointed at our social mores and culture; he picked away at societal norms and made people uncomfortable by pushing the envelope of what was deemed 'acceptable' behavior.

Ed: I apologize in advance for the post containing in excess of three pseudo-intellectual, undergrad collegiate sociology terms.

Andy Kaufman was like British comedy for Americans.

quote:

I think he was a complete genius, more because of his originality than acting ability. Nothing he did was laugh out loud funny, but that was not the kind of comedy he created. You laugh out loud at the Airplane movies, but there is no real social commentary to them. I think Andy Kaufman comedy was more pointed at our social mores and culture; he picked away at societal norms and made people uncomfortable by pushing the envelope of what was deemed 'acceptable' behavior.

Yeah, Latka, wrestling women or playing the bongos while yelling "malla balla minga" on stage (for 10 minutes sometimes! ) was some real heavy social satire. Let's not make him into Lenny Bruce or George Carlin here.

To each his own I guess. He was a weirdo for sure though. If you find that funny.

Look, I'm no huge Andy Kufman fan. But, I also wouldn't say that he was not an influential and significant comedian...

As far as the items you mentioned, Latka was a character written for him, not one he wrote.

The mysogonistic wrestling bit was pretty topical in era of the ERA and NOW.

And the bongos, well, that was just funny. But it was also going past what people were used to and with which they were comfortable. The reason I find it interesting is looking at how the audience reacted to something they didn't know what to make of, rather than in what he was necesarily doing on stage.

For the record - I'm no Lenny Bruce or George Carlin fan either. I'm not into the "hippy make you think humor" I like snappy and intelligent Dennis Miller, Jerry Seinfeld kinda stand up myself. I like to laugh when I'm watching stand up. I can watch the history channel or cable news when I want to think.

I'll take Dave Chappelle over any of the older comedians. I do like Carlin's "Save the Planet" piece though.

Comedy is so largely cultural, it's tough to appreciate older comedians.

Chappelle's show is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. he is one crazy, crazy mofo.

I'm rick James, b*tch!

Chapelle really had his moments. He also had a lot of mediocre material. I think the few episodes of his last season were not that funny. Maybe he knew his material was not that good anymore. I think he should do stand up for a while and maybe do another show when he is revitalized. I do not think the man's career is over. I just think it was his time to move on to something else.

His skit if the internet was a place was very funny.

Another vote for Fawlty Towers. Wish there were more episodes.

A great All in the Family scene

Don't you know the whole world puts on a sock and a sock and a shoe and a shoe....

quote:

A great All in the Family scene

Don't you know the whole world puts on a sock and a sock and a shoe and a shoe....

I just thought of another one when reading this:

(talking about american indians)

Archie: The indians don't Vote

Mike: Wait a minute....What?!!

Archie: That's right meathead. A friend of mine told me the indians don't use their vote like you and I. They sell all their horses for booze and then they can't ride into town.

quote:

Originally posted by spo:
Chapelle really had his moments. He also had a lot of mediocre material.

I agree. I'm willing to forgive the misses when the hits are so classic.

The blind Black White Supremacist sketch is really a work of art--especially the scene when he's leaning out of the car window, yelling at the white kids to turn their rap music down.

"Did he just call us n*****s? Alright!"

quote:

Originally posted by Peer Gynt:
The blind Black White Supremacist sketch is really a work of art--especially the scene when he's leaning out of the car window, yelling at the white kids to turn their rap music down.

Loved Chapelle when he was on target. My other faves include:
the Wayne Brady sketch
Charlie Murphy playing basketball against Prince and the Revolution--in full swishy, purple getup!

Honeymooners

Now to stir the pot some more...
I never cared for Andy Kaufman either. I don't think pushing people "past their comfort zone" qualifies as genius. IMO he was only a master at irritating people, and some found it amusing.

quote:

I don't think pushing people "past their comfort zone" qualifies as genius. IMO he was only a master at irritating people, and some found it amusing.

A perfect summary of Andy K

1) Seinfeld -- in its own league.

2) Arrested Development
3-tie) Get Smart
3-tie) Frasier
3-tie*) Entourage
6-tie) The Simpsons
6-tie) Curb Your Enthusiasm

Honorable mentions go to: Dobie Gillis, and Mr. Ed.

Special Award goes to: Sports Night -- not the funniest SitCom ever, but one of the very best.

*I don't know that this will hold up over time the way the others will.

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:

quote:

Originally posted by Peer Gynt:
The blind Black White Supremacist sketch is really a work of art--especially the scene when he's leaning out of the car window, yelling at the white kids to turn their rap music down.

Loved Chapelle when he was on target. My other faves include:
the Wayne Brady sketch
Charlie Murphy playing basketball against Prince and the Revolution--in full swishy, purple getup!

Nothing was funnier than the "Racial Draft", unless it was his version of R. Kelly "I want to pi$$ on you".....

Racial Draft......

WARNING-Not office friendly......
Pi$$ on You........

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gigond Ass,

The Mad Real World was one of my favorites.

quote:

Originally posted by spo:
The Mad Real World was one of my favorites.

Definitely a classic. Talk about pushing the audience past their comfort zone with the desired comic effect!

"WIML, TEENAGE PROSTITUTE"

Who could forget that classic from the 70's?

canceled in it's infancy:

action

quote:

Originally posted by tnaccirB uoL:
"WIML, TEENAGE PROSTITUTE"

Who could forget that classic from the 70's?

Too funny. Reminds me of a recent business meeting I was in where they went around the room and asked everybody to introduce themselves and tell everybody a little known fact about themselves as well. I was next to last. "I'm WIML and I'm a retired porn star." After the crowd finished laughing the guy after me says "I'm John Doe and I own some if his tapes."