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Why is there such a disconnect between European and American humor? In your opinion

blondin said:
bill hicks, george carlin, lenny bruce all legends in my book but the one thing that most Americans dont get is irony,pathos and the ability to laugh at ones self there in lies some of the reasons that there is a mismatch.
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Agreed, proper legends. Check out Doug Stanhope, Bill burr, Louie CK

Im not a fan of many comedians over here tbh, apart from frankie boyle and david mitchell, ricky gervais
 
A lot of american situation comedy i can't stand because it often revolves around the protagonist being cool or getting one over on someone (and the studio audience whooping idiotically in response) - conversely much of british comedy revolves around the protagonist being useless or things going wrong. Obviously this stereotype is blurred these days with cringe comedy like curb your enthusiasm or increasingly americanised sitcoms popping up in britain; but i still think the difference remains and says something about our relative cultural characters.

There's something to be admired about the sort of optimism that american culture sometimes engenders, but there is also an obvious dark side to the winner-takes-all american dream mentality (seen obviously through the distorted lens of a chip-on-my-shoulder musn't grumble british mentality ;)

...Oh and to touch on another stereotype, al murray's act is an example of irony ;)
 
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Vurtual said:
...Oh and to touch on another stereotype, al murray's act is an example of irony ;)
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Yeah but I had to attend one of his dire shows as part of a bonding experience at my corporate job - whilst it's clear that he doesn't truly believe the bullshit he is spewing and that it's all an exaggerated example of the most narrow minded idiotic views people have in this country - I can't help but feel that the majority of the audience weren't appreciating the lulz for what they were and instead just pissed themselves laughing at the very mention of a Muslim/woman, as if they were in some sort Of safe haven where they could congregate and hear someone satirically spew their shite whilst they genuinely enjoyed it.

I dunno, that was just my impression...maybe as an Arab I just didn't get it like they did :p

Ps: I walked out at the intermission with a Jamaican colleague who was similarly grossed out by how much the rest of our workforce was loving it.
BROWN POWER.
 
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I wouldn't want racists laughing at my jokes, because that's Al Murray's audience. Missing the point and laughing through bared teeth, like the dogs they are.
 
Thing is they used to be mates, I think they may well still be (think Murray was the year below him at Oxford)

Fwiw, I used to think his act was really good when he started out, less so now - especially since by now he must realise he's courting pricks who take it at face value, yet he seems perfectly happy to take their money and run.
 
Eveyvibe said:
Interesting topic. I do not feel that there is a difference in humour between Europeans n that of Americans, although I did at one time think so. I once hung out on Yahoo chat with an IRL friend who had a similar sense of humour to that of Raasy. She was misunderstood on there because, we felt at the time that most of them were Americans n thus somehow didn't get the British sense of humour. They would think she was being nasty when she wasn't being.

So to take this example n the one you've illustrated (the lounge n EADD) it shows kind of opposites in maybe Europeans don't understand the American sense of humour. So I'd suggest it's simply a case of perception. I'm trying to think of the words bare with me here being on holiday I packed my brain away n for some reason can't remember where I packed it. Group identity n "area" may have affect. For instance, the Lounge is meant to be somewhere whete people don't take themselves seriously. It's known to be humourous n "piss-taking" (don't like that word but could not think of another), people go at each other in a jokingly, non-malicious sense n it's all meant in the spirit of fun. The majority of, but not all of the members, are Americans.

Meanwhile, EADD is obviously for people from Europeans areas, although we do openly accept n welcome people from outside of these, One Thousand Words being an example. Although this is the case, the sub-forum goes with the ethos of the site - harm reduction, drug discussion with social, non-drug discussion. The difference between EADD n the other sub-forums is that it caters for Europeans but is not limited to one drug group or a few drug groups or a specific topic only, as is the case for Electronic music discussion or Other Drugs. EADD differs from the Lounge as does every sub-forum on Bluelight for reasons I have stated above. The Lounge is based on non-drug discussion n light-hearted teasing n humour.

The way in which EADD is formed, there are going to be serious discussions here whether that be drug or non drug based. Things get taking seriously because people often come here for support, for advice, for information n for company. The advice given here can often make the difference from someone taking drugs safely n someone taking them recklessly n ODing maybe even ddying. It can be the difference from someone becoming an addict or maybe (this statement is probably controversial so let me explain. Once, a few months I think, a poster made a thread here asking about Heroin. He wanted to try it n he wanted to know how he want about doing iy. Most of the members here, especially Heroin addicts, explained why taking heroin was a bad idea. This, if I remember rightly, was done in a non-patronising n non-judgemental manner. The OP decided not to try Heroin after this due to the good advice people especially those who have had negative affects from Heroin, some have had their lives ruined n are picking back the pieces of their lives.

Do you have any other exemplars to illustrate your point, other than differentiating the humour of EADD posters with posters from The Lounge? I can't speak for all Europeans but you may find that British people have a good sense of humour n some even to that of the lounge.

Evey
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Oh I'm sorry, think I read the OP wrong n thus wrote a loada drivel. On holiday n JDd so apologies. Will get back to you when my brain has been unpacked. In the mean time CHEERS :)

Evey
 
Chippendale said:
Yeah but I had to attend one of his dire shows as part of a bonding experience at my corporate job - whilst it's clear that he doesn't truly believe the bullshit he is spewing and that it's all an exaggerated example of the most narrow minded idiotic views people have in this country - I can't help but feel that the majority of the audience weren't appreciating the lulz for what they were and instead just pissed themselves laughing at the very mention of a Muslim/woman, as if they were in some sort Of safe haven where they could congregate and hear someone satirically spew their shite whilst they genuinely enjoyed it.

I dunno, that was just my impression...maybe as an Arab I just didn't get it like they did :p

Ps: I walked out at the intermission with a Jamaican colleague who was similarly grossed out by how much the rest of our workforce was loving it.
BROWN POWER.
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I didn't say it was particularly good irony...I was also going to stick on something like 'don't feel bad as many british people take him at face value too' but didn't want to be too insulting to anyone :).

Btw did you know al murray's great grandad was william makepeace thackeray (vanity fair)?
 
Vurtual said:
I didn't say it was particularly good irony...I was also going to stick on something like 'don't feel bad as many british people take him at face value too' but didn't want to be too insulting to anyone :).

Btw did you know al murray's great grandad was william makepeace thackeray (vanity fair)?
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I know you didn't, I just needed someone to quote for my anecdote! :D

Also, now that you mention it....

William_Makepeace_Thackeray_by_Jesse_Harrison_Whitehurst-crop.jpg
 
A definite resemblance now i look at the photo (well both a touch neanderthal-looking) - also, now i think about it, wasn't vanity fair sort of the same as the pub landlord routine? ;)
 
Eveyvibe said:
Interesting topic. I do not feel that there is a difference in humour between Europeans n that of Americans, although I did at one time think so. I once hung out on Yahoo chat with an IRL friend who had a similar sense of humour to that of Raasy. She was misunderstood on there because, we felt at the time that most of them were Americans n thus somehow didn't get the British sense of humour. They would think she was being nasty when she wasn't being.

So to take this example n the one you've illustrated (the lounge n EADD) it shows kind of opposites in maybe Europeans don't understand the American sense of humour. So I'd suggest it's simply a case of perception. I'm trying to think of the words bare with me here being on holiday I packed my brain away n for some reason can't remember where I packed it. Group identity n "area" may have affect. For instance, the Lounge is meant to be somewhere whete people don't take themselves seriously. It's known to be humourous n "piss-taking" (don't like that word but could not think of another), people go at each other in a jokingly, non-malicious sense n it's all meant in the spirit of fun. The majority of, but not all of the members, are Americans.

Meanwhile, EADD is obviously for people from Europeans areas, although we do openly accept n welcome people from outside of these, One Thousand Words being an example. Although this is the case, the sub-forum goes with the ethos of the site - harm reduction, drug discussion with social, non-drug discussion. The difference between EADD n the other sub-forums is that it caters for Europeans but is not limited to one drug group or a few drug groups or a specific topic only, as is the case for Electronic music discussion or Other Drugs. EADD differs from the Lounge as does every sub-forum on Bluelight for reasons I have stated above. The Lounge is based on non-drug discussion n light-hearted teasing n humour.

The way in which EADD is formed, there are going to be serious discussions here whether that be drug or non drug based. Things get taking seriously because people often come here for support, for advice, for information n for company. The advice given here can often make the difference from someone taking drugs safely n someone taking them recklessly n ODing maybe even ddying. It can be the difference from someone becoming an addict or maybe (this statement is probably controversial so let me explain. Once, a few months I think, a poster made a thread here asking about Heroin. He wanted to try it n he wanted to know how he want about doing iy. Most of the members here, especially Heroin addicts, explained why taking heroin was a bad idea. This, if I remember rightly, was done in a non-patronising n non-judgemental manner. The OP decided not to try Heroin after this due to the good advice people especially those who have had negative affects from Heroin, some have had their lives ruined n are picking back the pieces of their lives.

Do you have any other exemplars to illustrate your point, other than differentiating the humour of EADD posters with posters from The Lounge? I can't speak for all Europeans but you may find that British people have a good sense of humour n some even to that of the lounge.

Evey
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I feel ya on the type of forum it is. Anytime a Euro comes into the lounge they get run off b/c they do not understand its aim or maybe they just are not entertained by it. Pilltochill is the only outlier I can think of though he doesnt post much. My immediate thoughts are that people are so much more courteous/polite there that it is something that transfers to the interwebs. Therefore when people from Europe's cultures and belief systems get egregiously insulted their first recourse is a pointed/ well thought out response then when they are insulted in the following response fight or flight kicks in and their polite/sensitive nature causes them to just exit the confrontation/forum all together. There is nothing wrong with any of that btw and sorry for the bad grammar just thinking out loud more or less. All in all I think some of you should test yourselves and post in the forum if you feel so inclined i will be nothing but a civil ambassador welcoming a different view point. I know evey will venture in from time to time and Coltd iirc
 
Chippendale said:
Yeah but I had to attend one of his dire shows as part of a bonding experience at my corporate job - whilst it's clear that he doesn't truly believe the bullshit he is spewing and that it's all an exaggerated example of the most narrow minded idiotic views people have in this country - I can't help but feel that the majority of the audience weren't appreciating the lulz for what they were and instead just pissed themselves laughing at the very mention of a Muslim/woman, as if they were in some sort Of safe haven where they could congregate and hear someone satirically spew their shite whilst they genuinely enjoyed it.

I dunno, that was just my impression...maybe as an Arab I just didn't get it like they did :p

Ps: I walked out at the intermission with a Jamaican colleague who was similarly grossed out by how much the rest of our workforce was loving it.
BROWN POWER.
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Yeah this is basically my problem with Al. And, you know, it's not actually very funny. I've even seen interviews of him admitting he doesn't think large parts of the audience get it...
 
I think Al Murray is more snobbish than racist, trying to parody the lower classes with his tired old character, he doesn't really get it. Either way he's not funny any more & should get a new act or give it up. He was OK at first, but he's been milking the same joke for years now & it wasn't that funny at the start.

There are no good comedians on TV any more, no good sitcoms either. I'm not sure if there are any decent stand-up acts, not sure if there are even any live comedy shows near me. Comedy seems a bit poor in the UK right now. We did have a few better comedians & sitcoms than the USA ever produced, but they've all died, retired or lost it now.

The lounge just seems childish & boring too. I just visit to perv on the Nudie thread.
 
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DrGreenthumb said:
I think Al Murray is more snobbish than racist, trying to parody the lower classes with his tired old character, he doesn't really get it. Either way he's not funny any more & should get a new act or give it up. He was OK at first, but he's been milking the same joke for years now & it wasn't that funny at the start.

There are no good comedians on TV any more, no good sitcoms either. I'm not sure if there are any decent stand-up acts, not sure if there are even any live comedy shows near me. Comedy seems a bit poor in the UK right now. We did have a few better comedians & sitcoms than the USA ever produced, but they've all died, retired or lost it now.

The lounge just seems childish & boring too. I just visit to perv on the Nudie thread.
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I dunno Dr Greenthumb, I think we've still some cracking comedians. I particularly like the satirical panel shows like 'Have I Got News For You', 'Mock The Week', '8 out of 10 cats', 'QI'; then the just plain daft sruff like Keith Lemon. Then there's things like 'The John Bishop show', which is admittedly a little mainstream, but does showcase new acts, as does 'Live from the Apollo'. It's true we have no decent sitcoms anymore, but in reality they've always been few and far between anyway. I used to love the 70s & 80s sitcoms as a kid, but looking back on them now, they were mostly fuckin dire - e.g. 'On the buses', 'Man about the House', 'The Liverbirds' - though I think 'Rising Damp' was a classic, as was 'Porridge' and 'Only Fools & Horses' Even worse were the American sitcoms such as 'Rosanne', 'Taxi', 'Rhonda' (I think it was called) and loads of other series with some woman's name as the title.Also, WTF is that UK/USA crossover thing with Lee Mack in? That's atrocious, but he's actually quite funny in a stand up, ad lib situation.

I think the best examples of American humour are the cartoons like 'The Simpsons', 'Family Guy' and 'Futurama'. Also, whereas we tend to excel in satire and irony, the Americans excel in parody, such as the 'Airplane' and 'Naked Gun' films. I'm not a great fan of American standup however, its all a bit 'shouty' for my liking (Robin Williams being a case in point - but hardly surprising as he was coked off his tits most of the time).
 
DrGreenthumb said:
I think Al Murray is more snobbish than racist, trying to parody the lower classes with his tired old character, he doesn't really get it. Either way he's not funny any more & should get a new act or give it up. He was OK at first, but he's been milking the same joke for years now & it wasn't that funny at the start.

There are no good comedians on TV any more, no good sitcoms either. I'm not sure if there are any decent stand-up acts, not sure if there are even any live comedy shows near me. Comedy seems a bit poor in the UK right now. We did have a few better comedians & sitcoms than the USA ever produced, but they've all died, retired or lost it now.

The lounge just seems childish & boring too. I just visit to perv on the Nudie thread.
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Agreed, most of his fans are the middle class with professions like Teaching usually people that are proper in the system. Never found him funny, Satire is my humor
 
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