Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, and Louis C.K.
Grade: A+
I love researching comedy. I love reading about comedians, their perspectives on life, and learning about the detailed process of producing humorous material worthy of being shown in front of people. It’s always so fascinating to me. With Talking Funny, we get a firsthand discussion of everything above from four of the most famous comedians of their time, and I loved every second of it.
This is something that was tailor-made for my interests.
Summary
This loosely structured discussion of comedy is between Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, and Louis C.K. I can’t argue with a lineup like this to cover such important topics.
Between the four of them, they sit around and talk about stand-up, life, inspiration, and what makes things funny. It’s incredible, and not for a single second did I lose focus while watching. Each guy was able to offer some real insight on their passion for comedy and their process. At the same time, they make each other laugh their asses off in the process.
My Thoughts:
Being such a huge fan and historian on the history of comedy and all things related to it, I thought Talking Funny was fantastic. Not only was this HBO special incredibly interesting, but the passion coming from these four as they let loose is evident. They also look like they’re having so much fun talking about it, especially Gervais who’s incredibly infectious laugh is on full display here. The special is reminiscent of a time when you hang out with a group of your closest friends and you drink together at a dinner table, talking about the good times. Imagine that, but we have four amazing comedians, and they’re all sober. They’re entertaining even when they’re not trying to be. Just hearing their differing opinions on certain subjects like cussing on stage or when “stupid” comedy works, is enough to not only entertain you but also give you some major insight on stand-up, and how a good comedian becomes a great comedian.
Talking Funny is a documentary without all of the work, or a podcast without all of the equipment, consisting of only the people you actually want to hear from, talk. Here, we just sit a group of relatively intelligent comedians and opinionated people in the same room and just see where the conversation takes them. They’re bound to talk about something funny, but it will be thought-provoking. It’s almost impossible not to be. We also see the vastly different approaches that each comedian has to the craft, and it gives you a newfound respect not only for each star but for the field as well. You learn a lot from these guys and the inner workings of their approach to comedy.
The fact that Louis C.K. would put his closing joke at the beginning sometimes, just for the challenge, made me really respect him as a comedian. You know this bit kills, but you’re ballsy enough to put it at the front just to see if you can improve the rest of your jokes and test your ability? That’s insane and a testament to his talents. I didn’t realize how serious certain comedians take this. Obviously, they take their job seriously, but I didn’t think they would take this type of risk just to better themselves, especially when they’ve already “made” it. This impressed me on a whole different level. On the other hand, Jerry Seinfeld lost a few points with me. It actually pissed me off when he argues that once you become a top-level comedian, people just want to see the “classic” bits. They don’t want to see anything new. Likening comedians to musicians, him and Chris Rock explain that fans don’t want to hear your new album, they just want to hear the hits. I understand the analogy, but that’s complete horseshit. Why would I want to hear the same stand-up over and over again just because I like the comedian? You’ll never laugh at the same stand-up special twice. That’s a fact. The hardest you’ll ever laugh is the first time you watch it. You become a fan of the comedian, not the bit. Even if you find the bit funny and you tend to remember it, you don’t want to go back and rewatch the same joke over again.
To think that so many years later, I want to hear the same Seinfeld shtick, with no new material relevant to the 2020s, is just fucking stupid. Seinfeld’s full belief in this argument comes off as laziness and nothing more.
I can understand watching a stand-up special a few times or more. However, to think that when someone finally goes to pay to see a comedian for the first time on stage, and he just goes through the motions with the same routine he did 25 years ago is something that people want to see on a regular basis, makes me think you’re out of your mind or you’re incredibly arrogant. Now, I know Jerry is funny, but I want to see him coming up with new funny things. Why would I pay to see him if he’s repeating the same shit from the 90s that I’ve already seen for free? What is the benefit in that? Does he want to evolve and get better at his field, or is he really that complacent?
Stand-up comedy is a lot different compared to watching a TV show or a movie over and over again. Stand-up is about changing perspectives on life and humorous takes on things happening around you. As life evolves, the comedy has to change with it to be relevant. Seinfeld’s views in Talking Funny changed things a lot for me when looking at his material. Nevertheless, it was still very interesting to see these four talk things out.
That’s the thing with Talking Funny, we learn more about these comedians through this no-holds-barred conversation, and because of it, you learn a lot. The best part is you have a lot of fun while doing it, probably not as much fun as they’re having but still! It’ll get you talking, and that’s really the goal.
You may not find Talking Funny nearly as interesting if you aren’t a superfan of comedy just because of the structure of the special, but if you don’t mind the format, this hour will zoom by. If you love talking and researching the history of comedy, this special is for you. By the end, you’ll have a new appreciation for the difficulty of making people laugh and the minds behind it that try to make it happen. You couldn’t pick four better comedians to have such an introspective discussion…
Well, that are alive anyway.
Fun Fact: Louis C.K. said that the actual conversation lasted four hours and was edited to a tight hour. I wonder what they cut out!
+ There are no comments
Add yours