In a message dated 2/19/2002 11:04:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Just read your post after a few days hiatus from the e-world.
>
> Comedy Central is part of the MTV network of cable channels specializing in
> a particular genres of "entertainment".  MTV prides itself on its ability
> to
> relate to the lowest common denominators of pop-culture.  Comedy Central
> also features such nuggets as "The Man Show"--a program showcasing
> high-brow
> antics such as slo-mo video of large-breasted women jumping on trampolines.
> See where I'm going here?
>
> The easiest laugh is one that comes at other's expense.  For exampple, the
> monologues of Leno, Letterman, et. al, consist almost entirely of
> deprecating others.  Their writers find easy work in this kind of humor
> because there is no faster way to make one's self feel better than by
> denegrating others.  True comedians were (the past tense is intentional)
> masters of their craft.  Red Skelton, for example, was a comedic genius,
> yet
> I cannot remember one skit that garnered a laugh at the expense of another.
> That kind of "real" comedy took work--nothing that today's writers nor
> their
> audience have any interest in, whatsoever.
>
> The fodder for today's writers comes almost entirely from events and people
> "in the news" so to speak.  If it's historical, then it's not relevant.
> The
> writers are becoming more and more specific with their targets because the
> audience does not have the attention span for anything else.  Blame
> post-modernism for this.  A foundational thesis of this current western
> paradigm is that if you are offended by my behaviour....too bad.  It's your
> problem, not mine.  Fits the American "ME"-ism quite nicely, thank you.
>
> You'll find that sponsors don't give a damn about your opinion unless: 1)
> You are in their demographic target audience. (You and I...are not.)  2)
> The majority of viewers feel like you (they don't).
>
> Optimistically (NOT!) Yours!
>
> -Kyle
>