Identity politics and the rise of American anti-comedy

The Spectator ^ | 10/24/18 | Stephen Daisley

[OddLane]

Amy Schumer won’t be appearing in any Super Bowl ads this year. Not because she’s just announced she’s pregnant (mazel tov!) but because she wants to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players standing up — or, more accurately, kneeling down — to racism. Though, as the New York Post points out, it’s not entirely clear if the stand-up comedian had been asked to front any commercials. Still, it’s the Insta likes that count and, as Schumer posted on her page: ‘I know it must sound like a privilege ass sacrifice but it’s all I got.’

Privilege ass celebrities are getting woke all over the shop. Progressive culture, which is now the dominant culture, divides its subjects into victims and the privileged, assigning grievance sainthood to the former and demanding self-abasing contrition from the latter.

There are certain pleasures to be derived from performative masochism on gender or race, not least the opportunity to signal that you are not the problem (why, you are an ‘ally’!); it’s all those tacky people in Arkansas trailer parks — they’re the problem. Thus can wealthy white stars pass for radicals while exculpating themselves from the economic arrangements that saw black households earn $21,000 below the American median last year. In identity politics, checking your privilege never involves checking your bank balance...

[TigerClaws]

We have all the laughs now.

[bagster]

[Gen.Blather]

I only had satellite radio to listen to the four comedy stations on long, late night drives. I got so annoyed by the constant anger against then president Bush that I cancelled the service.

Here’s the clue. If the angry comedian says his political joke and the audience does not laugh, but instead applauds, it isn’t funny. The audience is signifying that it agrees but the “joke” was not funny. I want to be entertained, not preached at.

I liked it better when I didn’t know anything about celebrity’s politics. I loved Whoopi Goldberg in movies like “Sister Act.” Then I heard her preaching her politics and now I can’t stand her, even in roles I once enjoyed. The same is true of any celebrity who has decided I need to know where they stand politically. Sorry. I won’t give them a watch, a click or anything from now on.

[DesertRhino]

So in other words, for the Super Bowl commercials being filmed and edited right now, Amy Schumer was not invited to be in any of them?

[wally_bert]

I like catching the classic comedians when they show up on XM’s comedy channel.

It’s rare for me to listen to that channel as it and even rarer for a true classic to be playing at any given time.

I get more comedy on XM148 depending on what old show is running.