Is Chris Rock right?

[Ethnic Vagina Finder]

I think he actually proved Rock's point with the "get famous" tag line.


Back in the 80's you just had the chiterling circut for black comics. there was no national outlet or more importantly and VIABLE MEANS TO MAKE A LIVING, doing standup unless you catered to a white audience. you didn't have def comedy jam or comic view on BET. There were fewer opportunities to get put on so comics like richard pryor and eddie murphy transended racial barriers. Chris Rock is right. Most black comics are situational, not in that they only cater to certain audiences, but the subject matter as well.

 

[VladTheImpaler]

He put down comics that worked only one type of crowd. Maybe that's what theyre comfortable at.

But that is the point. Being the best and biggest fish in your own small pond instead of being great in the ocean. He is saying today's comics do not have the skill to swim with the big fish in the ocean. Happy in goldfish bowls.

 

[Buckeye Fever]

But that is the point. Being the best and biggest fish in your own small pond instead of being great in the ocean. He is saying today's comics do not have the skill to swim with the big fish in the ocean. Happy in goldfish bowls.

True.

 

[OneManGang]

Chapelle was great no matter the demographic. Didn't see him get mentioned.

 

[Champion]

He's absolutely right. For whatever reason a lot of comics are just movie funny and have no stage presence or jokes when it comes to stand up and other environments. Its funny that Judd Aptow is mentioned in the article because most of the comedians in his movies are exactly who Chris is referring to.

Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd play the same damn character in everything I've seen them in and there is no way they could work a black crowd.

 

[Champion]

@OneManGang
He should have been mentioned. He could be doing stand up, a late night show, or an interview with Howard Stern and be entertaining without you feeling like he wrote the jokes down beforehand. Chapelle is naturally funny which allows him to be more versatile.

Rock is definitely speaking on people who are only good writers. There are many great writers out there and you can learn to be one but being naturally funny while having presence is something you either have or you don't.

 

[NZA]

louis ck is the last of the truly universal comics, chappele could be this too, but it appears he has abandoned it

the rest of these cats have a twitter mentality, cater to your followers

that being said, as hollywood hogan so eloquently put it, having the guts to be controversial is no longer going to make you culturally relevant to the whole country anymore. if george carlin were a 25 year old comic today, he would just be another smart, cynical comic that only some people could be into. he probably wouldnt even fit in with any sitcoms due to his worldview. you gotta be a dumb goof or a quirky hipster to have a relatively broad appeal these days. bill maher is kinda in the same lane as carlin, but he stays relevant by doing political shows, his stand up doesnt have the same reach that his political debate shows have.

and to be honest, louis ck's stuff works so well because it is just as good at drama as it is as comedy, so he can bring in two audiences. something a kevin hart or dane cook cannot do.

 

[avon barksdale]

[ame=http://youtu.be/PmKzbRXKoAo]"Revenge on Twitter" MICHAEL BLACKSON "BLACK FRIDAYS" EP 6 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Un-AmericanDreamer]

I dont want to hear my favorite black comedians having segments in their stand up that would be my signal to go to the bathroom or go to the kitchen to get a snack because he's catering to a different demographic cuz im not interested in it.

If yall agree with chris rock, then that is basically the same thing as saying 2 Chainz should do country, polka, and opera music for the sole purpose of "entertaining everyone"

I think he's talking about a comic who can switch it up. Don't get me wrong, I like Cory Holcolmb but hes the definition of a situational comic compare him to someone like Patrice or Burr and you'll see my point.

 

[Rice N Beans]

Dude Perry made a good point.



Random question has anybody on here ever done stand up?

I have. Problem with failure is most people try to hard and end up alienating people. The winners are afraid to stretch out, and you only have situational guys.
Thing is, if you stick to stuff that seems "normal" you'll hit it on with the crowd. Today's society is too open and at the same time similar for people to really lead stark contrasting lives like that outside of your jobs.

You still shyt, eat microwaved dinners, and hate changing the TV without the remote.

When you do regular life stuff, it isn't situational. Life is life. And we all share it.

(Note I've only done standup maybe less than 10 times, probably 70-80% of it intoxicated, but I have done well in my settings and was offered a weekly spot)

 

[Reggie]

A lot of great comedians can only cater to one crowd. No way would Jerry Seinfeld be able to move a black dominated audience. But on the other hand someone like the late George Carlin would be able to. Just like Eddie Murphy can move a black or white crowd, i don't think a Paul Mooney can.

 

[valet]

A lot of great comedians can only cater to one crowd. No way would Jerry Seinfeld be able to move a black dominated audience. But on the other hand someone like the late George Carlin would be able to. Just like Eddie Murphy can move a black or white crowd, i don't think a Paul Mooney can.

George Carlin doing a Black crowd? He would have to leave out his religious jokes. Black people as a whole ain't down with atheism. I've seen some of his specials back in the day on HBO. I don't see where he could connect like that.

As far as the original post I don't see how Kevin Hart was left out like somebody else said. This dude can go on any of these talk shows and make jokes about his kids. That's Cosby-esque. He's the most popular right now. Maybe Chris Rock is jealous.

 

[Danie84]

There's midget comics


...Patrice was on the verge of being that comic with that same comedic sensibility of the GOATS before him, tho

 

[Ziggiy]

A lot of great comedians can only cater to one crowd. No way would Jerry Seinfeld be able to move a black dominated audience. But on the other hand someone like the late George Carlin would be able to. Just like Eddie Murphy can move a black or white crowd, i don't think a Paul Mooney can.

Paul Mooney is the DEFINITION of truly not giving a fukk about catering to Cacs. I've seen that dude get up and when one of his jokes offends a white audience.

 

[phillycavsfan]

Social media and the internet have made comics that way. THey build their own niche audience via Twitter and podcasts, and when they do clubs most of the people at the club have heard them beforehand.