Turn to the Comedian: An Interview with Kyle Kinane

"What is the role of the stand-up comedian in today's world?" I asked Kinane as he sat down in my living room. He took a deep breath before answering, "I'm split halfway between 'This is a necessary element' and 'You just fucking make fart jokes and expect to be a part of the world.'"

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"The way you look at the world is the way you look at the world. It usually takes a pretty monumental experience to change that." But he believes the comedian can in fact alter one's perspective. Mimicking an audience member, he says: "Oh, look at the way [the comedian] looks at things. I'm gonna do that. It might make me a little more open-minded by looking at things differently."

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As Kinane puts it: "It's people laughing, thinking 'I've thought that, but I could never tell my friends that.'" The comedian, however, can say whatever he wants because it's all framed with comedy. If the joke is set up correctly, the comedian can be offensive without fearing a backlash. Some comedians don't frame their jokes properly, and this is where they get into trouble. But, if done correctly, offensive thoughts can be not just a source of great comedy, but great democratic benefit, as well.

"If it sits in you, then you feel guilty," Kinane says. "Comedy's great because you say it and people laugh and it's as if it absolves you. Them laughing means it's okay because they thought it, too, and I hear them laugh, which means it's okay that I thought it." He adds: "It keeps balance in the world."

Turn to the Comedian: An Interview with Kyle Kinane / by Daniel Berkowitz / 10/28/2012 / slantmagazine.com

Scientifically Speaking, Who’s Funnier: Democrats or Republicans?

Democrats, for example, tended to rely on the kind of humor and laughter that was inclusive and convivial. “The Democratic Party is a highly egalitarian party,” says Stewart. “Anyone can get in or drop out. So you really have to be charismatic like Clinton or Obama to draw people in.” Obama was particularly good at this in the 2008 season: Stewart found that in the debates, he often flashed smiles of genuine amusement and engaged in loose-jawed laughter, the sort of visual signals that suggest, “Join me, I’m here to play.”

Republicans, on the other hand, tended to rely on what’s called “encrypted humor,” says Stewart, the sort of “wink, wink” in-jokes that separate insiders from outsiders. Take Republican candidate Mike Huckabee’s 2008 quip that “We’ve had a Congress that has spent money like [John] Edwards at a beauty shop.” By using the term “beauty shop,” as opposed to, say, “barbershop,” Huckabee’s joke was “not just an attack on congress, but also an attack on Edwards’ masculinity,” says Stewart.

Scientifically Speaking, Who’s Funnier: Democrats or Republicans? / by Joel Warner and Peter McGraw / 0.23.12 / wired.com

The Last Word: Bill Maher

Sean Woods: What advice would you give to the younger you?

Bill Maher: To have a better attitude. I was too sensitive. I used to get insulted if the crowd didn't get the jokes. The correct thing to do is just keep smiling, keep plugging, and if they still don't laugh by the end of the show, say thank you, good night, and get them next time. It's not smart to start telling the audience how stupid they are. And that happened. Many times.

SW: What's the best advice you ever received?

BM: In 1979, at Catch A Rising Star, or one of those New York comedy clubs, Larry David told me to take my wallet onstage, because it would get stolen if I left it in the dressing room.

The Last Word: Bill Maher / Men's Journal / October 2012 / Page 138