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.'"

-------

"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."

-------

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