Althouse: "Landing a joke is difficult in a world where we have lost the shared context on which to build a punch line."

April 24, 2025

"Landing a joke is difficult in a world where we have lost the shared context on which to build a punch line."

"A few months back, Cummings tried out some jokes about Kamala Harris looking drunk; no one had seen the videos to which she was referring. Onstage in this San Francisco suburb, she feels out the audience’s tolerance for mocking their own kind. A 'hot lesbian chick' in the front, she discovers, works at Tesla. 'You do?' says Cummings. 'Really? And he hasn’t asked you to have …' She gestures toward the hot lesbian, pauses for laughter. 'Is that hurtful? Are all the girls kind of like … "Did you get asked?"' The crowd is rolling. Oh, she thinks. They’re okay with this. 'What would you do if he was like, "Hey, you want this …?" He’d be like, "Here’s my sperm." Does he throw it this way?' she asks, throwing up a Nazi salute."

From "Whitney Cummings Finds Her People/The comedian’s politics has changed. So has her audience" (NY Magazine).

56 comments:

tim maguire said...: I can see topical humor being difficult today, especially outside your own select audience. But just being funny is always an option.; 4/24/25, 9:40 AM
Kate said...: "Here's my sperm." That's funny.; 4/24/25, 9:46 AM
RCOCEAN II said...: The liberal/left has never been able to "laugh at its self". Anyone who told Stalin a "Zinger" would find himself in an execution cell

As for the comedian's Jokes. They basically start with the absurd premise that Musk is a Rightwinger who doesn't like Gays. Which is untrue. And comedy/satire needs some basis in truth or its not funny.

Off topic - the most painful thing in the world, is to dragged to some "comedy" show and sit there while the joke girl/boy tells one unfunny thing after another. The audience howls with laughter at every remark, while you look at your watch.

Fortunately, this has only happened to me twice in Las Vegas, i can't imagine sitting in Kimmel/Colbert/Stewart's audience and suffering that would entail.; 4/24/25, 9:47 AM
john mosby said...: A Musk-mocking joke is squarely in the Left's mainstream. Colin Jost read that and wished he thought of it for Weekend Update. Could have had Mike Myers flinging hand lotion into the audience.

I read the article and see the larger point, but that one joke does not support it.

JSM; 4/24/25, 9:48 AM
Limited blogger said...: I prefer when my comedian's are funny; 4/24/25, 9:51 AM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: Being made fun of is legitimising. People should welcome it. The best people targeted can do is roll with it. Musk not taking it very well only invites more, because the jokes get better. See Don Rickles.; 4/24/25, 10:01 AM
Kate said...: Thanks for this. She's been outside of my radar. A lot of her stuff in the article is good.

“Which ones do you think were conspiracy theories?” she asked, leaning forward. I said I hadn’t heard about the chefs, though I also had not heard about the shooter’s silverware. “So to call something a conspiracy theory when the person hasn’t researched it,” she said, “to just go, Wait, let me just see if it happened or not — it’s fine. But also, you’re wrong. Because there are two dead chefs for sure. When someone’s like, Oh, you said this conspiracy. I’m like, You don’t think I spent four months making sure two chefs were dead? You think I’m going to take that chance? ”

What kind of reporter has never heard of Obama's dead chef?; 4/24/25, 10:03 AM
Lazarus said...: When and how did her politics change? When she tried to make jokes about Kamala Harris or when she fell back to make Elon Musk the object of her humor?

Onstage in this San Francisco suburb, she feels out the audience’s tolerance for mocking their own kind.

I really doubt any of "their own kind" is working with or for Donald Trump. And corporate employees are going to be intolerant of a few comic jabs at their boss? In what world does that happen?

I find the snippet poorly written and hard to follow. The author ought to try something easier than describing stand-up routines in writing. Maybe take up dancing about architecture.; 4/24/25, 10:04 AM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: The alleged MS13 gang member with a senator is ripe for a hilarious skit.; 4/24/25, 10:07 AM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: Off topic a little bit. I seem to recollect that gangs do not let people who aren’t members wear their signature badge, tattoos or other symbols unless they are legitimate members. For this guy to be showing it in Social Media says… something.; 4/24/25, 10:12 AM
bagoh20 said...: We go to comedy shows more than most, because in Las Vegas, they are everywhere, relatively cheap, and effortless to attend. The headliner is usually good, although most run out of steam near the end. The opening acts can be terrible, with no real jokes and no structure. I don't get why people would choose a profession and then make no effort to be good at it. Often they just talk, giving the impression they spent zero time preparing for this job. Of all professions it seems comedians and teachers have the widest range of competence while still getting paid. Maybe it's the performative nature of the jobs. I don't know.; 4/24/25, 10:29 AM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: "The comedian’s politics has changed."

When irrelevancy is prioritized. A good comedian goes where the jokes are. The comedian's own politics has little to no bearing.

You want to know what is a bad joke? That everybody along with everything has to be on this side or that side. When is that joke getting retired?; 4/24/25, 10:34 AM
Ice Nine said...: I don't know if this woman is funny or not. From the few examples it seems to me that she at least kind of is. May all of her audiences be appreciative.

It is my observation that audiences at stand-up comedy shows will laugh at almost anything the comedian says, even the lamest of them. And that always kind of annoyed me. You know, it's "I paid money for this comedy show and, by god, I'm gonna laugh," or something. More likely, I think, they do it simply because they feel they are supposed to. Sort of like - except loudly - the little twitters people in a group give when someone has said something in poor taste or un-PC. More exactly, like audiences giving standing ovations for good to mediocre performances (while I'm sitting looking at their backsides). Sheep.; 4/24/25, 10:36 AM
Howard said...: She's spent at least 12- hours doing Joe Rogan podcast. Your welcome . Her multiple shoe drops at the ball drop was epic. Anderson was looking for Mommy's skirts. A harbinger of Trump's ultimate comeback victory over Joe Harris as Dumb and Dumberer.; 4/24/25, 10:47 AM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: It’s possible Musk was and still is babied.; 4/24/25, 10:48 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: Cummings can be very funny at times -- a bit of a high hit-or-miss ratio, but she can certainly make me laugh. I like to laugh.

But look at the comments at the link: boy, does a certain crowd turn bitchy on you when you don't stay in their playground.

I am Laslo.; 4/24/25, 11:02 AM
Gravel said...: Lem - regarding the tats, you're absolutely correct. I have met a number of outlaw motorcycle club members, and a very good friend of mine is a past member of one of the big four MCs. They will cause trouble if you just wear a square patch with "MC" on it, or if you have three part patch on your vest, "1%", etc etc, unless you get permission from the local "dominant" club (which involves paying a 'tax' to said club). The trouble they'll cause may start out with a warning but it will escalate if you don't comply.

If you get inked up with any of those things, you're in for a bad time. Tattoo artists will refuse to do the work. The only possible exception for KAG that I can think of is that the specific tat he has on his left hand may not be a "full patch" emblem, but just a "support" emblem, but that's conjecture. Another aspect of that culture is that they simply don't talk to outsiders about what any of the specific emblems actually mean to insiders, so he may only be affiliated with MS-13, or a probationary member, and not full member.; 4/24/25, 11:07 AM
Old and slow said...: Laslo is back! It's been quite a while since I've seen that name.; 4/24/25, 11:07 AM
MayBee said...: I saw her in West Hollywood twice since last June and everyone laughed so hard.; 4/24/25, 11:20 AM
Wince said...: “The comedian’s politics has changed.”

Shouldn’t her “politics” be plural, particularly when described as here situational?; 4/24/25, 11:39 AM
gilbar said...: "Cummings tried out some jokes about Kamala Harris looking drunk;
no one had seen the videos to which she was referring. "
bullsh*t!
here, let me fix that for ya!
Cummings tried out some jokes about Kamala Harris looking drunk; no one would admit having seen the videos to which she was referring.; 4/24/25, 11:46 AM
Jaq said...: They don't care about the truth of anything. They care about scoring points.; 4/24/25, 12:15 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: An additional note to my comment above.

I actually appreciate a hit-or-miss aspect to a comedian’s routine. Often, it could mean they are stretching their limits and expectations, which gives a nice sense of unpredictability to the flow…

There are a lot of talented comedians out there who have eventually established their comfort zone and retreated into it, and give their usual audience exactly what they expect, like a fast-food combo meal or a sitcom rerun…

Unfortunately, that usually means you can see the inevitable punchline or twist slowly coming at you like a Macy’s Parade balloon…

For me, Anthony Jeselnik falls in that category: he has great skills, but he has become his own narcissistic version of late-80s Andrew Dice Clay. Bill Burr is another, where it is edgy-by-numbers autopilot. And, of course, there is the piñata SNL…

I’d rather have a few misses and get some moments of surprise.

I am Laslo.; 4/24/25, 12:28 PM
Mary Beth said...: here, let me fix that for ya!
Cummings tried out some jokes about Kamala Harris looking drunk; no one would admit having seen the videos to which she was referring.
4/24/25, 11:46 AM

Here, let me fix that for you - They saw the videos, but didn't realize she looked drunk because she acted the same way she's always acted.; 4/24/25, 12:46 PM
gilbar said...: here's a joke i Just heard on X..

an anti-Vaxer asked me WHY i had my child vaccinated..
she said: "Tell me ONE benefit your child got?"
and i told her:
"well, my son is 99% less likely to..
get in a van with a stranger.. because now he's Autistic"; 4/24/25, 12:51 PM
Lem Vibe Banditory said...: Thanks Gravel 👆🏽; 4/24/25, 12:52 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: A side note to a side note…

The aspect of audience-pleasing predictability is (obviously) not confined to comedians.

In music, Bruce Springsteen put on a persona of pseudo-earnest blue-collar clothes in the 1970s and has worn them ever since. No surprises, no twists of expectations. Probably don’t need to mention that I do not care for Springsteen, or the three overwrought songs he has written and re-written endlessly over the years.

I’ve been thinking about, and listening to, a lot of Bob Dylan lately.

I have just finished a small feature film that is an absurd, whimsical alternative history of 1966 Dylan after his motorcycle crash. Love him or hate him, the man kept moving for decades.

Song that I currently keep coming back to: Sonic Youth’s cover of Dylan’s “I’m Not There.”

I am Laslo.; 4/24/25, 12:53 PM
mikee said...: I grew up laughing at Loony Tunes, Laugh-In, and Monty Python. What I didn't realize at the time is that the cartoon violence, the druggy ignoramus elitists, and the surreal/absurd social commentary would all become reality within my lifetime. These comedic styles were not meant as instruction manuals for society.; 4/24/25, 12:53 PM
gilbar said...: https://x.com/TRHLofficial/status/1915082093782061537; 4/24/25, 12:56 PM
Earnest Prole said...: I think we can all agree making fun of them is hilarious while making fun of us is Just Not Funny.; 4/24/25, 1:03 PM
Hassayamper said...: Laslo is back! It's been quite a while since I've seen that name.

Now if Titus comes back it will be like old times.; 4/24/25, 1:06 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Now if Titus comes back it will be like old times."

Now, everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back or perhaps someone will read that who would come back but you named Titus and not him/her.

Oh, Bissage! Where are you?; 4/24/25, 1:19 PM
Narr said...: "everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back"

If you insist, and leaving aside the confirmed dead-- J. Farmer, Lurker21, A.V.I. (IYKYK) . . . Misplaced Pants . . . others will come to me later.; 4/24/25, 1:40 PM
baghdadbob said...: "everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back"

And to be cruelly non-neutral, I'd to see names commenters wish would leave (or at least back-off). I'll start: Drago (too much personal Abacus-boy type stuff) & n.n. (too much repetitive shorthand). And narciso, please stay, but must you be so very oblique?; 4/24/25, 2:32 PM
Josephbleau said...: "everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back"

I always liked reading Buwaya, that may be misspelled but he had a crocodile pic.; 4/24/25, 3:31 PM
Hassayamper said...: Crack Emcee went off the deep end for some reason, but before he did, I found him thoughtful, perceptive, and worthy of attention.

Did not often agree with his conclusions, but it happened more than one might have guessed, considering how different our backgrounds and world views were.; 4/24/25, 3:50 PM
Jim at said...: everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back

Garage Mahal.

OK. I made that up.; 4/24/25, 3:51 PM
FullMoon said...: "everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back"

If you revisit posts from years ago and locate a particular commenter, click their info. They may have an email address posted.
It works, sometimes.; 4/24/25, 3:51 PM
Krumhorn said...: Laslo is back! I sincerely hope he stays. mockturtle would also be a welcome sight. Could see more of Freeman Hunt too.

- Krumhorn; 4/24/25, 3:52 PM
Krumhorn said...: Nate Bargatze never seems to struggle with landing a joke. He's even managed to get invited to host the next Emmys.

- Krumhorn; 4/24/25, 4:02 PM
Jackpine Slim said...: Lazlo! You're back! I bow down in thanks!; 4/24/25, 4:35 PM
Political Junkie said...: Laslo. The name makes me smile. This blog has missed his humor and wit.Welcome back, amigo.
I do miss Crack a bit. He gave voice to the DJT vibe with black males in 2024. Crack was not wack, and we need him back. That be the truth, Jack.; 4/24/25, 5:10 PM
BUMBLE BEE said...: Come on back Buwaya! Stick around a while Laslo!
BTW, the first nose ring I saw was back in 1966. Outlaws MC on a chopper. Every time I see one today, I still see his face. He was really ahead of his time.; 4/24/25, 5:44 PM
Narr said...: I have to remind myself that I don't read all the posts and comments, so it could be that those I mentioned--and others--are commenting hearty on the ones I don't follow.

Buwaya, for sure. How could I not remember him? Lazlo, glad to see.; 4/24/25, 5:56 PM
gilbar said...: Ann Althouse said...
Now, everyone needs to name commenters they wish would come back

i miss Dr K, and truly wish he Could come back..
but it would be creepy and weird if he did.
(but BOY would *i* have some questions for Him!; 4/24/25, 6:08 PM
rehajm said...: …the appreciated but no longer with us…; 4/24/25, 6:40 PM
lohwoman said...: Sippican cottage. He generally had a music reference and I enjoyed him very much.; 4/24/25, 6:50 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: Thanks everyone for the kind words.

I very recently retired -- a bit earlier than originally planned, but I didn't like where the personal health and work lines were aiming to converge.

In the last months of working eleven and twelve-hour days of grind, I was routinely having bouts of a-fib once or twice a week; in the last four weeks, being retired, I have had zero events. That definitely reenforces the decision, if not the checkbook...

A long-way around of saying I now have more time on my hands, and have a renewal of spirit. Looking forward to being back in the mix a bit...

I am Laslo.; 4/24/25, 7:21 PM
Earnest Prole said...: If Buwaya is the Leninist I fondly remember, I would love to have him back. I may have disagreed with him from time to time but he never said a stupid word.; 4/24/25, 7:32 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Thanks for coming back, Laslo..Glad retirement is working.; 4/24/25, 7:47 PM
bagoh20 said...: Chip Ahoy; 4/24/25, 10:16 PM
Rusty said...: Yes, indeed. Welcome back. Afub is no joke. Afib isn't either. I'm glad you can control it naturally.; 4/25/25, 7:19 AM
Saint Croix said...: Hey Laslo!; 4/25/25, 9:09 AM
Saint Croix said...: do the robot; 4/25/25, 9:10 AM
Saint Croix said...: The comedian’s politics has changed.

The change is always left to right. Who changes to the left? That would be super weird.

And she just went libertarian free thinker. That's not a party!; 4/25/25, 9:12 AM
Saint Croix said...: "Does anyone else hit one paywall and you’re just fucking out?” she asks the crowd in Redwood City. “I’ll wait until Alex Jones tweets the truth for free like a goddamn patriot.”

that cracked me up; 4/25/25, 9:24 AM