Comedy as a tool to educate

Last week we went to see comedian Doug Stanhope doing a show that will be taped for TV. Well, that is if there is anything in his set that they can show on TV. His material was prefaced by titles like "I hate the jews" and "Fun with peadophiles and pro-lifers". It was one of the funniest and ballsy shows I've seen in years.

I should explain that the titles above are mine but they are pretty much how he framed his jokes. He smacks you in the face with an outrageous comment then he leaves you to think about the deeper ramifications. After the show my wife remarked that the guy may well be a genius.

The "I hate the Jews" routine for example was about religion and not about a people. He was making the point that all religions should be viewed with the same suspicion, and if that religion is the means by which you define yourself, then you should be viewed with equal, if not more, suspicion. He has done tons of material in the past about Christians and Muslims and Mormons and to come to New York and do this material was seriously pushing the envelope. People were laughing so hard it was nuts.

He also did a great skit on the amount of anti-depressent and ADHD drugs that people are on these days. He framed the whole idea as one big conspiracy to keep people docile and stupid. The line I'll always remember was "I shit myself when my doctor told me I had a unique and interesting personality! Fuck you! At least Black people knew when they were slaves!". It was an amazing performance.

It's very unusual that a show will affect Me and my Wife in the same way, we went to a restaurant afterwards where we dissected all the ideas that he had talked about. It was crazy but we both felt like little seeds had been planted that allowed you to think that maybe everything you know is either wrong or at least needs to be re-examined.

If Doug Stanhope comes to a town near you. DO NOT MISS HIM.

*WARNING* The following video is not safe for viewing at work, or at home for that matter......

St Paddy's

This morning I was on the train sitting across from a guy who looked like Ian Paisley. I wanted to ask "Are you Ian Paisley?" but I was afraid that him shouting "Noooo!" in an enclosed train might make my ear-drums explode!

The reason I mention this is that the St Patrick's Day marching season is upon us. In New York the big parade is obviously the 17th but for all the towns surrounding NY, like Jersey City where I live, the parades are the weekend before or after. I guess this is becuase the same die-hard eejits show up at all the parades. I have a love/hate relationship with St Paddy's day. Obviously I love the drinking but I can't stand the flag waving and plastic shamrocks.

The Jersey City Parade assembles in the park behind my house and last Sunday we brought the Wee Yin up to see it. The usual gobshites were out in force accompanied by bad bagpipers and drunk policemen. I can't say it was enjoyable but it's definitely different, I guess I would compare it to the Mickey Mouse Parade on Guinness.

Speaking of Guinness, the one surreal image I'll take home with me was a vintage beer delivery truck with a guy dressed up as a pint. The old truck showed up late and the poor pint of Guinness had to hold on to the top of the truck for his dear life as they tried to catch up with the rest of the marchers. It's a good thing he wasn't drunk.

The Oscars

I spent last Sunday night watching the snooze-fest that was the Oscars, a strange thing to do considering I haven't been to the cinema in over a year and have not seen a single one of the films nominated.

Because of this I think I might be going a bit soft in the head as I find myself analyzing dress styles and saying "Ooo, she's lost a lot of weight!" to the baby, who of course looks at me like a dog that has just been shown a card-trick.

What is it about this tabloid shite that gets in your head and makes you want to jump in and play with these cultural train-wrecks. Who cares if Britney Spears wants to shave her head or Anna-Nicole's tits explode? I get annoyed with myself when I find my brain-cells being used up with piffle like this! This post being another perfect example.

I saw Jennifeerr Hudson getting her best supporting actress oscar and for a second I thought "Good for her! She used to work in Burger King y'know! She was also a finalist on American Idol but never won. She sings in a gospel choir......" asd so on and on....

I can't remember my own phone number on a good day so why do I know this shite? The commentator said "Jennifer Hudson has had a meteoric rise to fame". For a moment I stared at the baby, who stared back at me, blew a raspberry and promptly went back to chewing on the remote control (which I remove the batteries from as she seems to want to watch Oprah all the time).

"Meteoric RISE"? When was the last time you saw a meteor fly UP the way? Meteors are known for their falling abilities. They are also known for burning up on the way down to Earth. Considering the situation that Britney "Asparagus" Spears has got herself into, maybe there is something in the meteor metaphor after all.