tao_: Comedians interview 'dumb' Yanks, look dumb in the proces

Graham (

tao_) wrote,
@ 2007-06-06 23:33:00

Comedians interview 'dumb' Yanks, look dumb in the proces
You know, if someone from New York interviewed Australians about the Bali bomb in the same selective, arrogant way, well, how would Australians feel about that? This is a petty, repulsive little piece of comedy that I include here to prove that funography knows no borders.

And yes, I'm aware I already posted something from these guys. I thought the last poll they did was pretty funny, and harmless enough, but when you wander around a city asking dumb questions about a tragedy that might have directly affected the people you are interviewing, then you're no longer part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Hey, maybe it's just a blip. I don't know what the show is like generally.

(Post a new comment)

callmesim
2007-06-07 12:42 am UTC (link)

Sadly, it's not just a blip.

If you thought the 9/11 clip was in poor taste, here's one that I think is far far worse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d13WogMCyA

"The Chaser" guys are real hit and miss. Somethings they do perfectly and their political satire is often spot on but especially with their new show, 'The Chaser's War On Everything', they tend to intercut the satire with making targets of people who don't deserve it (interrupting theatre shows, heckling at orchestra recitals etc.). It's not funny uncomfortable, it's just uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, it's a good show but it's the insensitive moments that stop it from being an outstanding show.

This isn't Australian comedy at its best.

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	longlongwaytogo 2007-06-07 12:58 am UTC (link)
	Ah well, differing opinions. :) I don't deny that some of their things make me uncomfortable, but most of it I find very funny. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	handsonhipsclub 2007-06-07 08:31 am UTC (link)
	"they tend to intercut the satire with making targets of people who don't deserve it (interrupting theatre shows, heckling at orchestra recitals etc.)." Ah, well, a lot of that kind of stuff is setup. The receptionists/security guards thing got old for me. Their satire is usually brilliant - there should be good stuff with the election coming up. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	longlongwaytogo 2007-06-07 12:56 am UTC (link)
	This is only one very rare segment of their usual show, something like this only happens about once or twice a season. (Reply to this)

	nigeltde 2007-06-07 01:10 am UTC (link)
	For some reason I can't watch that clip, bhey have a pretty good rep over here, aimed at a similar demographic to the daily show. Alas, they're not as good as they daily show but they have occasional strokes of genius, poke fun at our PM, and do some pretty entertaining stuff on the street. (Reply to this)

	bergenboi 2007-06-07 02:07 am UTC (link)
	Why did I read the YouTube comments? It's always such a demoralizing experience. (Reply to this)

andricongirl
2007-06-07 02:43 am UTC (link)

asking australians what date the bali bombing happened isnt as funny as asking someone what date 9-11 happened because .. well that surely it speaks for its self ..
(you'd have to ask where did the bali bombings take place for same effect i guess;)

chaser sometimes pushes the boundarys of comedy a bit much, but at least someone is . do we really just need another rove instead.. at least they are political , and trying to challenge pop culture (in other sketches)

but yes poking fun at americans is like shooting fish in a barrell, but surely the role of political comedy is to highlight some worrying aspects of culture while having a laugh ? ( they guy who says just NY or did i miss something , for eg: yes he did miss something , that's a bit sad really )

its just picking the stereotype and running with it . of course they wont show the ones whio answered correctly, 'cos thats not funny.

like dead ringers portrayal of Dubya ..they make him out to be a dumb american who cant speak in real words or understand beyond a childlike comprehension.. just stereotyping ..
i fail to see how this was actually offensive? its a trival pursuit question, not poking fun at the dead/injured or the event itself.

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longlongwaytogo
2007-06-08 02:05 am UTC (link)

Also, no one I know thinks that these interviewing the Americans thing is 'real'. Yes, these were real responses people had. But they must have interviewed hundreds more and just put the 'bad' ones in. Pretty much everyone here realises that. So, it's funny because it's 'see what some Americans think' not 'see what all Americans are like'. At least that's my opinion.

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	andricongirl 2007-06-08 07:15 am UTC (link)
	yep. the guys even say they edit thier stuff as brutally as possible. micheal moore does similar things on his programs , though he isnt a comedian, he uses it to try proove points on the american publics ignorance on certain subjects (Reply to this)(Parent)

b_ioluminescent
2007-06-07 08:30 am UTC (link)

This is something I've been wondering for a while now - whether they actually do more harm than good. I watch this show religiously every Wednesday night, and I do find it really funny. Most of their show, the satirising of Australian politics or popular culture is brilliant, in my opinion. Some things they do make people, myself included, feel uncomfortable - yelling in a church, heckling at the orchestra, that kind of thing, but I also think that if a political satire show is going to have any impact at all, it needs to be a little bit on the edge, you know? If it's a show about current affairs, it's inevitable that you're going to offend someone, and often I think that's what they aim for anyway. Satire isn't meant to be kind. If people are offended by what they see, it's going to generate coversations and debate, which is a good thing.

As for the clip you posted and those similar, they are derogatory to Americans, no doubt about it, and yes, we would feel angry if Americans were to do the same to us. But I think that you have to understand that a lot of Australians feel quite angry at the way our government seems to try to please America, and not the Australian people. The Chaser is one of the only high rating Australian programs on TV - most are American, or in the case of ABC, British. Our whole lifestyle seems to be increasingly swamped by American culture and politics, and poking fun at Americans is a way that people can have a lighthearted perspective on the whole matter.

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handsonhipsclub
2007-06-07 08:48 am UTC (link)

Yeah, I had issues with it too and it is disappointing because I'm quite a big fan of Firth and we don't get to see enough of him now that he is living in the States. It's definiately not my favourite thing the Chaser boys do - and I think this was particularly bad, although not for the same reason as you - and I'd prefer to see him do something a little more substantial than, "let's make Americans look like idiots".

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	tao_ 2007-06-07 01:15 pm UTC (link)
	Sounds to me like another bunch who, envious of the outlaw status of other, better comedians (Morris, Stewart etc) try to ape them. But because they don't have the requisite skill, they end up using soft targets. Can anyone say Balls of Steel? Can anyone say Eleven O Clock Show? Can anyone say Shouting into a Giant Phone? (Reply to this)(Thread)

petrichor_fizz
2007-06-07 05:35 pm UTC (link)

I agree; I'm not a fan of cruel comedy at all - ie that which targets 'the man in the street'. Chris Morris making Bernard Manning look like a tit is an entirely different kettle of fish - he completely brought it upon himself, and deserves every ounce of derision that he gets. Satire, though, in my opinion, shouldn't be about highlighting the fact that there are some people in America who are badly educated or ignorant - unless it's those of them who are in Government, or are forcing their half-baked opinions on others. Satire should be partly about educating those very people, not mocking them.

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andricongirl
2007-06-08 07:43 am UTC (link)

they have thier own style, though i dont believe we get the shows broadcast here that youv'e mentioned above . so i cant comment on thier comparitive content, or iff they ape them.

this years war on everything has been more hit and miss than the previous years chasers W.o.E and CNNNN, and they have pulled more stunts that are cringeworthy or less intellectual
but they do have the balls to do it , and are at least trying to cover current affairs which is something you just don't see anymore from local comedy (or current affairs shows ;) .

the general public usually watch commerical stations where comedy is in the form of non offensive sitcoms from america and re -runs of benny hill and m.a.s.h.

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callmesim
2007-06-09 12:16 pm UTC (link)

ABC and SBS have never played Brass Eye but if you can get yourself a copy of the DVD from the UK, it's an interesting watch. While I think some of it is hit and miss, the 2001 special on paedophilia is outstanding. I had some friends talking about how Little Britain "so crossed the line!" so next time we got together I played them the Brass Eye special. It's an uncomfortable watch but the wonderful thing about it is that it's extremely clever. Watching The Chaser's stuff, I'd be amazed if they're not influenced by The Day Today and Brass Eye.

On that note, Graham (if you're still reading the thread), did you have any part in the Brass Eye special? I seem to remember seeing your name pop up in the credits for Brass Eye.

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	greta_username 2007-06-11 06:07 am UTC (link)
	Obnoxious frat-boys posing as "satirists". Sure, there's usually a laugh or two each episode - when their segments are making a relevant point or have a remotely deserving target. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVZRPjGSjpI But is asking Sophia Loren if she farts really biting political satire? They're pissing me off increasingly with this kind of serial-pest dickheadery. (Reply to this)

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