Does Louis CK prove that you can get away with anything as long as you're funny?

[vordhosbn]

I was watching the standup during the part where he explains he used the N word, but of course it wasn't in a racial context...nevertheless no one had a problem with this and he uses it several more times during the special actually.

How does he do it??

 

[Volimar]

I think it's because by now everyone knows what they're getting into with a Louis CK show. You're not going to watch him if you're easily offended.

 

[Firelord Chargrilled]

I was watching the standup during the part where he explains he used the N word, but of course it wasn't in a racial context...nevertheless no one had a problem with this and he uses it several more times during the special actually.

How does he do it??

So how does he use the word then ?

 

[Sinfamy]

Its about context.

 

[Pinko Marx]

So how does he use the word then ?

That nigger made the shit out of my coffee!

 

[Cudder]

I think it's because by now everyone knows what they're getting into with a Louis CK show. You're not going to watch him if you're easily offended.

And people watching him for the first time?

 

[greatestjediever]

That nigger made the shit out of my coffee!

Beat me to it

 

[MHWilliams]

I was watching the standup during the part where he explains he used the N word, but of course it wasn't in a racial context...nevertheless no one had a problem with this and he uses it several more times during the special actually.

How does he do it??

Of course you can. Tell the joke right and you can joke about anything.

People just tell poor jokes and hate when they get lit up about it.

 

[EdibleExplosives]

Thought this thread was gonna be about him allegedly jacking off in front of people.

 

[Skellig Gra]

No definitely not. But he's not that type of person who would just intentionally and maliciously attack people. His humor sends up society in general.

 

[Palpable]

Best comedian alive.

 

[vordhosbn]

So how does he use the word then ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NAUgCm-3Tc

basically he tells people not to use "the n word" but to just say it instead,

I get the coffee bit, the guy is not even black but later on he does a bit about how he hates deers and calls them "faggot cunt nigger deer"..what's the context there??

 

[Volimar]

And people watching him for the first time?

He's pretty well known. I doubt even first time watchers are going in completely blind. It probably does happen on occasion though...

 

[Courage]

Yes.

 

[Archaix]

It's more proof that when you properly construct a good joke, people can tell what your intent was. When you have to explain "But it was a joke!" is when there are problems.

 

[J10]

Of course you can. Tell the joke right and you can joke about anything.

People just tell poor jokes and hate when they get lit up about it.

That's exactly it. Not everyone is funny. What Louie does is a craft.

 

[Salsa]

I get the coffee bit, the guy is not even white but later on he does a bit about how he hates deers and calls them "faggot cunt nigger deer"..what's the context there??

that's just hilarious out of any context

 

[hipbabboom]

You do realize he's a comedian... not some average joe trying to sneak one in. Comedians in the context of their shows will push the envelop while touching a lot of social taboos to make their audience react to the ridiculousness of it. They make jokes and people shouldn't assume that's how they carry on living their lives.

 

[SFenton]

That's exactly it. Not everyone is funny. What Louie does is a craft.

Yep.

Offensive comedians that are genuinely good seem to be in short supply these days. Louie and Jim Jefferies are probably the most offensive that as a whole people generally enjoy.

 

[Seesaw15]

Thought this thread was gonna be about him allegedly jacking off in front of people.

Same. And comedians in general can do whatever they want if they're funny enough.

 

[CPS2]

Its amazing the way he explained the origin of the word to Patrice O'neal. That kinda needed Patrice to find it funny for it to be funny, but it ended up being hilarious. Could've gone badly depending on everyone else's reaction or depending on who the audience was.

 

[Marcus]

but he's not funny.

 

[Volimar]

but he's not funny.

You might need to see someone about your condition. It sounds serious.

 

[vordhosbn]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

 

[Courage]

but he's not funny.

No.

 

[entremet]

It's called context, OP.

Seems this is lost on many these days.

 

[TheKaeptain]

Louis CK proves that people won't get mad at you if you tell a joke correctly.

 

[shem935]

During one of his sets he made joke about masturbation and 9/11 and you know what...it was funny. You can joke about anything if you can tell it well.

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

Think this might fall into the camp of "Funny because it's true" and of course he tells it well. But I am white so what do I know.

Edit: I think the joke is also pointing out the problems related to it.

 

[Visceir]

I wonder if he could get away with this in 2015

 

[kamineko]

Of course you can. Tell the joke right and you can joke about anything.

People just tell poor jokes and hate when they get lit up about it.

This sounds right. With the right level of skill, pretty much anything can be funny

But without that skill, it's best to leave things to the pros

 

[Slayven]

I hate Louis CK, that said nothing is wrong as long as it is funny

 

[Astarte]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

I think that it's absolutely hilarious

 

[Archaix]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

The entire joke is pointing out the idea of white privilege five years ago, when it wasn't being discussed and acknowledged to the degree it is today (specifically among white people). The rest of it is the joke part.

edit: Even on listening again, the only time in that entire bit that he's not taking a clear jokey tone of his voice is when he straight up says you're an asshole if you're white and deny that you've got it better than other people for no real reason.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

He gets away with it because people love his TV show. He also significantly has toned down his act since becoming extremely popular. He wouldn't get away with much of the stuff he's said on Opie & Anthony over the years now, for example.

 

[SketchTheArtist]

Its amazing the way he explained the origin of the word to Patrice O'neal. That kinda needed Patrice to find it funny for it to be funny, but it ended up being hilarious. Could've gone badly depending on everyone else's reaction or depending on who the audience was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJkiwXcvaA

That's probably one of my favorite comedy bit ever. Patrice's explosive laughter at Louis CK was so funny. It comes out of nowhere and hits you with a ton of brick.

Louis CK is such a master comedian. He understands pacing, how to be subversive, all the skills for a legendary comic.

Others try this kind of humor but lack the understanding and structure of those jokes. You can't just spit it out.

So good.

 

[J10]

When a black person who uses the word nigga colloquially in every day dialogue has a delicious cup of coffee, they might say to themselves "That nigga made the SHIT out of this coffee." Louie is playing to the fact that the audience already knows and understands the way black people talk. The comedy comes from the absurdity that he would say it to himself because he's not black nor was the person who made the coffee.

 

[PhoenixDark]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

You're seriously offended/uncomfortable about this? A joke in which he acknowledges how shitty white people have treated other races historically? lol

 

[vordhosbn]

The entire joke is pointing out the idea of white privilege five years ago, when it wasn't being discussed and acknowledged to the degree it is today (specifically among white people). The rest of it is the joke part.

The joke is that he is admitting it so openly, everybody knows that white privilege exists (whether white people want to admit it or not).

 

[Nokagi]

Yes we can't let him keep getting away with it. This "comedy" thing. He should be publicly flogged.

 

[shem935]

The joke is that he is admitting it so openly, everybody knows that white privilege exists (whether white people want to admit it or not).

And he is joking about how fucked the situation is.

 

[vas_a_morir]

You just have to pay your dues. Young comics can't get away with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDXeinEUJQ

 

[Feep]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

He's using humor to highlight the inherent unfairness of his own position in society. I hate to be that guy, but you should lighten up a little bit.

 

[Dude Abides]

You're imagining this OP because I have it on good authority that Tumblr killed comedy like what you're describing.

 

[natsuyasumi]

Oh, I thought this would be about his harassing women.

 

[SketchTheArtist]

He's using humor to highlight the inherent unfairness of his own position in society. I hate to be that guy, but you should lighten up a little bit.

I blame too much hugging as a kid. That gentleman has all the signs.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Oh, I thought this would be about his harassing women.

You make it sound as though this was a confirmed fact and not loose allegations.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

And this bit about white supremacy makes me feel even more uncomfortable. He takes glee in the fact that it's a white man's world and his own white privilege. Does anyone except white people find this funny?

Making fun of the fact that white people have a heads up in life? I really don't see the problem with this, honestly.

 

[ThisGuy]

I hate Louis CK, that said nothing is wrong as long as it is funny

Why do you hate him? Do you also hate Bill Burr?

 

[vordhosbn]

this whole "lighten up" business sounds a lot like "relax racism doesn't exist anymore!" bullshit, sorry if i'm upset at white people confirming and laughing at the fact that they have it so much better and that black people are treated like second class citizen.

 

[Fudgepuppy]

The context of his humor stems from him portraying himself as a horrible person. When he makes a joke about raping a dead kid, the joke isn't the rape itself, but him being such an offensive asshole he would even say such a thing.

He has toned down over the last years though, he stopped using nigger and faggot because he didn't want to hurt people for jokes.