Fluther: You often see self deprecating humor in British comedies and with ...

You often see self deprecating humor in British comedies and with Canadian comedians, but not so much with the U.S.. Why is that?

Asked by Mama_Cakes (11160

) January 20th, 2016
17 responses
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(With American comedies/comedians. Having a hard time editing on my phone)

Discuss. :)

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Topics: comedy, British, humor, American, comedians, laughter, canadian, comedies, self deprecating humor

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Answers

Have you ever seen “Curb Your Enthusiasm”? Each episode, the wildly talented and successful Larry David put himself through the ringer.

Love_my_doggie (12965

)“Great Answer” (2

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A reality TV star is currently leading the field of candidates for the Republican nomination for President. What more do you want from us? We’re trying our best to entertain you!

Hawaii_Jake (37352

)“Great Answer” (12

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Haha! @Hawaii_Jake!

Mama_Cakes (11160

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Curb ended 5 years ago. Dammit.

I love Maria Bamford and she loves me (IN MY DREAMS!!) and she created an online show about failing and moving in with her parents and performing for just her family. Though she’s from Minnesota. Virtually Canadian?

I Googled up a Louis C.K. video and he jokes about being a lazy unhealthy fat-ass.

I don’t know about sitcoms, though. I can’t watch TV, I buy episodes of what I really want to watch.

jaytkay (25810

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Amy Schumer made her chops by doing so.
Go back to the original Joan Rivers bits- self depreciation on steroids.
A number of women have and do use their own experiences, physique, and foibles for materials. But that’s stand-up.
As far as in television, the US is busy with reality shows and family sitcoms trying to make a social point, usually for an audience of…well, Hhmmm. How to say it? Twelve year olds? Or therein. The angst!
Some few realize the viewing audience are baby-boomed and after a bit. Those are more representations of flashbacks from an older perspective.
Yippie.
Strictly IMO.
British Comedy reruns are shown on BBC or PBS.
So we do get a glimpse.
Definitely different work here in the US.

msh (4270

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What I’m really getting at is this, they know how to laugh at themselves and their own country.

Canadians making fun of Canadian stereotypes. Brits making fun of British stereotypes.

You rarely see that with the U.S..

Mama_Cakes (11160

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We always had that quality, the ability to laugh at ourselves while retaining our self worth as a nation.
Perhaps American humour stems from uptight arseholes.

ucme (50047

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Arseholes? Ted Cruz was born in Canada. He’s not our fault.

You may wag Donald Trump and Sarah Palin in my face, but I will retort that I believe in alien abduction. They are the offspring of cross species fertilization.

Hawaii_Jake (37352

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Never referred to him now did I?

ucme (50047

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Here’s some American self deprecating humour.

(nsfw)

Mama_Cakes (11160

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