The Aristocrats - September 16, 2005

I don't know if anybody who reads this has seen The Aristocrats (I am not talking about the Disney movie The Aristocats). I saw it tonight with Jess and my cool aunt and uncle.

Looked at objectively, the material there is probably as offensive as spoken word comedy can be. We were warned by the man in the box office that we could not get our tickets refunded if we left in the middle. Apparently at the last showing five (out of a total of seven) people tried to do just that. Because, appparently, they were offended, bored, or both. (Actually, I suspect offended and bored are mutually exclusive). Needless to say I was a little worried. Not at being offended, but at being bored.

You see, the whole movie is basically about one joke. One endlessly offensive joke. It's a whole collection of probably 50 comedians all talking about and riffing on this one joke. And it's one hell of a sick joke. The joke -- called The Aristocrats -- is, as the movie discusses, a repository of sickness, a place for a commedian to put just about everything offensive that he or she can throw in a joke. That's its purpose.

I absolutely loved it. I have cramps in my stomach I laughed so hard.

I loved it for two reasons. First: I really have to admit I have a weakness for offensive humor. I loved the South Park Movie (Bigger, Longer and Uncut). This movie was that kind of humor. Only much, much more extreme.

But the other reason I liked it is that it was a study. In addition to hearing all these comedians talking about the joke, it was also most of these comedians telling the joke. It's a joke that really isn't a joke, but just a very simple framework for a joke. And every comedian takes it and makes it their own. So while you're hearing the same joke over and over again, you're also hearing each comedian making it theirs. It's and example of "It's the singer not the song" translated into... well...

...really offensive comedy.

I think I loved it because I've come to realize that I love listening to artists talk about their craft.

I also think I loved it because I've come to realize that I love laughing my ass off.

By the way, if you're reading this, and thinking of seeing it, let me say this: If you're someone who's easily offended, or even someone whom it's not almost impossible to offend, you really should probably skip it. Honestly. It's about as offensive as comedy material can be.

Comments

Had not heard of the movie but youhave certainly piqued my curiosity!! Nice picture too by the way, and it is NOT offensive at all!!

Posted by: Bob on September 17, 2005 04:41 PM