Comic Hari Kondabolu has bachelor’s degree in Comparative Politics and master’s degree in Human Rights, so he probably knows a thing or two about theories of public action. However, in an article by Holly Vasic of the Daily Utah Chronical (7/19/2017), he expresses that his goals are two-fold:
The goal is always to make people laugh or be honest with my point of view.
I have reasons to like and dislike this phrasing.
Other goals
First off, I like that it expresses the idea, uncommon at the lower levels of small shows and open mics, that one can do something on stage other than telling jokes. Of course, we can, but the dominant view is that we shouldn’t.
People came there to laugh, and getting to that is what we comics should be trying to do, that’s the traditional comic’s intent, which defines an absolute version of stand-up.
Objects
On the other hand, it expresses the popular idea that the comics “make” audiences laugh, like they are objects that are unable to prevent us from working on them. Some would say it doesn’t matter – this is just an expression; however, I’ve disputed it as frequently as it pops up, because:
- It’s really common – hopefully my readers can see how often it gets said
- It has implications for how we think humor works
- Which, in turn, has implications for what comics try to do
- Which ultimately shapes the comedy we see, what gets made
As I’ve said, I try to point out these assumptions to elevate the discourse, so we can make the choices conscious. We can choose to see the audience as active participants in the humor, as people with whom we must develop a relationship; in short, as lovers.
Either/or
The phrasing also suggests a dichotomy, like he’s only trying to do one or the other, and never both at the same time or anything else. That bothers me.
This is the same view expressed in Nathan Mills’ review of Hasan Minhaj – that Minhaj doesn’t just tell jokes, but has a lot of stuff in-between:
Homecoming King is full of these lessons in between well-built and well-rehearsed jokes. Minhaj seamlessly transitions between the moments as if they’re two separate pieces of him.
That’s what worries me in the phrasing – this idea that the jokes and the other stuff are separate pieces. Mills was referring to life lessons, whereas Kondabolu is referring to his point of view, but other comics don’t view either of those as separate from their humor.
Mo’Nique and Zainab Johnson have each expressed that they try to be honest and express their point of view in order to get the laughs. [This post is in the queue.] Tiffany Haddish has said that she uses her comedy to teach, while getting laughs [Also in the queue.] The point is, other comics try and succeed at doing both at the same time.
Summary
Yes, it’s one quick quote, tossed off by Kondabolu without thought, but sometimes those reveal more than carefully prepared dissertations; unexamined assumptions, things we’ve just absorbed from society, things that we mouth back at it when on the spot may tell us a lot about society, and, in turn, they shape society.
So yes, comics can do things other than tell jokes, but they can also do other things while telling jokes. And sometimes, the audience will choose to laugh.
Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Additions?
