Could the movie "Airplane!" be made today?

[Aloha Hoosier]

The co-writer and director says, “Of course, we could. Just without the jokes” and I think that's something to think about:

Destroying Comedy

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Airplane!, the comedy I wrote and directed with my brother Jerry and our friend Jim Abrahams. Just before the world shut

www.commentary.org

 

[ulrey]

No. Liberals would lose their minds!

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Honestly I am surprised it was made back then. I absolutely love it, but other than the Naked Guns there are few movies that off the wall. Maybe if the Marx Brothers teamed up with the Stooges.

 

[T.M.P.]

The co-writer and director says, “Of course, we could. Just without the jokes” and I think that's something to think about:

Destroying Comedy

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Airplane!, the comedy I wrote and directed with my brother Jerry and our friend Jim Abrahams. Just before the world shut

www.commentary.org

Yes, as long as they have actors, a camera, screenplay, and the other crap it takes to make a film.

Except, I think it should be about the propaganda-based myth known as "wokeness" which is an obvious sign that the article is pandering to disgruntled old white men looking to be outraged by stupid shit that doesn't really matter ..

 

[mrhighlife]

Yes, as long as they have actors, a camera, screenplay, and the other crap it takes to make a film.

Except, I think it should be about the propaganda-based myth known as "wokeness" which is an obvious sign that the article is pandering to disgruntled old white men looking to be outraged by stupid shit that doesn't really matter ..

They'd like to cancel the cancelers.

 

[hoosboot]

The co-writer and director says, “Of course, we could. Just without the jokes” and I think that's something to think about:

Destroying Comedy

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Airplane!, the comedy I wrote and directed with my brother Jerry and our friend Jim Abrahams. Just before the world shut

www.commentary.org

It could be, but it doesn't need to be. The tropes of the time are different than the tropes of this time, so the jokes would land in a completely different way. Remake that movie with the same script and it doesn't work because the time is totally different.

Comedians hiding behind the "wokeness is ruining comedy" defense is just a dumb phenomenon. Comedy evolves with the tastes of society and what was funny 100 years ago is no longer funny today. It's not society's fault that people took a second look at minstrel shows and decided they weren't funny anymore. Some of the biggest proponents of the "be funny" mantra are the ones most upset that some people don't find their bits funny anymore. The ZAZ crew's problem is that they lost their sense of humor.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

It could be, but it doesn't need to be. The tropes of the time are different than the tropes of this time, so the jokes would land in a completely different way. Remake that movie with the same script and it doesn't work because the time is totally different.

Comedians hiding behind the "wokeness is ruining comedy" defense is just a dumb phenomenon. Comedy evolves with the tastes of society and what was funny 100 years ago is no longer funny today. It's not society's fault that people took a second look at minstrel shows and decided they weren't funny anymore. Some of the biggest proponents of the "be funny" mantra are the ones most upset that some people don't find their bits funny anymore. The ZAZ crew's problem is that they lost their sense of humor.

Comedy is always about taking ordinary experiences and people with which and with whom we can relate and pointing out how messed up they are with exaggeration, extreme comparisons, and selective emphasis on obscure stuf. Women comics get laughs talking about husbands and men while men comics get laughs talking about wives, mothers-in-law and women. Richard Pryor made fun of whites. Others made fun of Irish. Ole and Lena jokes are hilarious when properly told. George Carlin took on everyone and everything. That was then, this is now. Nowadays much of the subject matter that cries for comedic treatment is off limits. (See Dave Chappell). Somebody will always be outraged, whether faked or not. Outrage has become its own cottage industry. That is the effect of wokeness.

 

[Hoopsdoc1978]

Yes, as long as they have actors, a camera, screenplay, and the other crap it takes to make a film.

Except, I think it should be about the propaganda-based myth known as "wokeness" which is an obvious sign that the article is pandering to disgruntled old white men looking to be outraged by stupid shit that doesn't really matter ..

TMP is crying about old white men.

Did not see that coming.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Comedy is always about taking ordinary experiences and people with which and with whom we can relate and pointing out how messed up they are with exaggeration, extreme comparisons, and selective emphasis on obscure stuf. Women comics get laughs talking about husbands and men while men comics get laughs talking about wives, mothers-in-law and women. Richard Pryor made fun of whites. Others made fun of Irish. Ole and Lena jokes are hilarious when properly told. George Carlin took on everyone and everything. That was then, this is now. Nowadays much of the subject matter that cries for comedic treatment is off limits. (See Dave Chappell). Somebody will always be outraged, whether faked or not. Outrage has become its own cottage industry. That is the effect of wokeness.

That's not what comedy has ever been about. It might be what some people who enjoy making fun of others think comedy should be about, but it's never been what it actually was about.

Good comedy has always been about making subversive references that force the listener to create surprising connections in his or her mind that lead to revelation and joy. Sometimes that does, in fact, involve making fun of people. Sometimes it does involve exaggeration, extreme comparisons, etc. But those are just possible vehicles for comedy. They are not what comedy is about. When you reduce comedy to those things, you fail to understand that comedy can be anything other than a roast, or three guys around a campfire complaining about "those guys."

 

[CO. Hoosier]

That's not what comedy has ever been about. It might be what some people who enjoy making fun of others think comedy should be about, but it's never been what it actually was about.

Good comedy has always been about making subversive references that force the listener to create surprising connections in his or her mind that lead to revelation and joy. Sometimes that does, in fact, involve making fun of people. Sometimes it does involve exaggeration, extreme comparisons, etc. But those are just possible vehicles for comedy. They are not what comedy is about. When you reduce comedy to those things, you fail to understand that comedy can be anything other than a roast, or three guys around a campfire complaining about "those guys."

Sez the guy who thinks disagreements are about character attacks.

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

No. Signed, Archie Bunker.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Sez the guy who thinks disagreements are about character attacks.

Your failure to understand me rivals only your failure to understand comedy.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Comedy is always about taking ordinary experiences and people with which and with whom we can relate and pointing out how messed up they are with exaggeration, extreme comparisons, and selective emphasis on obscure stuf. Women comics get laughs talking about husbands and men while men comics get laughs talking about wives, mothers-in-law and women. Richard Pryor made fun of whites. Others made fun of Irish. Ole and Lena jokes are hilarious when properly told. George Carlin took on everyone and everything. That was then, this is now. Nowadays much of the subject matter that cries for comedic treatment is off limits. (See Dave Chappell). Somebody will always be outraged, whether faked or not. Outrage has become its own cottage industry. That is the effect of wokeness.

I do not think there is one thing comedy is about. The Stooges are different than Groucho, Carlin was different than Newhart who was different than Williams.

Pretty much the only comedians I watch anymore are improv. It can poke fun at groups but generally I do not see that.

 

[hoosboot]

Comedy is always about taking ordinary experiences and people with which and with whom we can relate and pointing out how messed up they are with exaggeration, extreme comparisons, and selective emphasis on obscure stuf. Women comics get laughs talking about husbands and men while men comics get laughs talking about wives, mothers-in-law and women. Richard Pryor made fun of whites. Others made fun of Irish. Ole and Lena jokes are hilarious when properly told. George Carlin took on everyone and everything. That was then, this is now. Nowadays much of the subject matter that cries for comedic treatment is off limits. (See Dave Chappell). Somebody will always be outraged, whether faked or not. Outrage has become its own cottage industry. That is the effect of wokeness.

Moved on from HVAC, huh?

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I do not think there is one thing comedy is about. The Stooges are different than Groucho, Carlin was different than Newhart who was different than Williams.

Pretty much the only comedians I watch anymore are improv. It can poke fun at groups but generally I do not see that.

I’m not talking about slapstick. I’m talking about what make you laugh when simply listening. All good comedy pokes fun at people in some way.



Some groups are still fair game. But hypersensitivity brought on by wokeness takes some people and their character exaggerations off the table. The list is getting longer.

 

[hoosboot]

That's not what comedy has ever been about. It might be what some people who enjoy making fun of others think comedy should be about, but it's never been what it actually was about.

Good comedy has always been about making subversive references that force the listener to create surprising connections in his or her mind that lead to revelation and joy. Sometimes that does, in fact, involve making fun of people. Sometimes it does involve exaggeration, extreme comparisons, etc. But those are just possible vehicles for comedy. They are not what comedy is about. When you reduce comedy to those things, you fail to understand that comedy can be anything other than a roast, or three guys around a campfire complaining about "those guys."

Interesting points, but I'd suggest that comedy has never "always" been about anything. Lenny Bruce is looking down and laughing about "wokeness".

 

[hoosboot]

I do not think there is one thing comedy is about. The Stooges are different than Groucho, Carlin was different than Newhart who was different than Williams.

Pretty much the only comedians I watch anymore are improv. It can poke fun at groups but generally I do not see that.

You beat me to it, Marv. Really smart insights. You have any thoughts on HVAC?

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Interesting points, but I'd suggest that comedy has never "always" been about anything. Lenny Bruce is looking down and laughing about "wokeness".

Good point. In my attempt to paint a broad picture, I wasn't broad enough.

How about this:

"Comedy has always been about pissing off the people in charge."

 

[hoosboot]

I’m not talking about slapstick. I’m talking about what make you laugh when simply listening. All good comedy pokes fun at people in some way.

View embedded media

Some groups are still fair game. But hypersensitivity brought on by wokeness takes some people and their character exaggerations off the table. The list is getting longer.

The only thing I've noticed that all good comedy does is make people laugh. Past that, I doubt most people agree what "all good comedy" is.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

"Comedy has always been about pissing off the people in charge."

“People in charge” are usually a funny target. Lots of comedy there.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I’m not talking about slapstick. I’m talking about what make you laugh when simply listening. All good comedy pokes fun at people in some way.

View embedded media

Some groups are still fair game. But hypersensitivity brought on by wokeness takes some people and their character exaggerations off the table. The list is getting longer.

No, it doesn't. Lots of comedy doesn't poke fun at anyone.

 

[hoosboot]

Good point. In my attempt to paint a broad picture, I wasn't broad enough.

How about this:

"Comedy has always been about pissing off the people in charge."

Meh. There's a strain of comedy that's about that for sure, but it sure seems like there is also a lot of comedy that has nothing to do with the people in charge at all. I do love me some subversive comedy though. People employing it have to have really thick skin to weather the people who don't like it. They aren't going to thrive much in that arena complaining that people who don't find their bits funny to be suffering from wokeness.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

No, it doesn't. Lots of comedy doesn't poke fun at anyone.

View embedded media

Wut? That routine is 100% poking fun at people. It’s funny because it pokes fun at people we all encounter every day.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Meh. There's a strain of comedy that's about that for sure, but it sure seems like there is also a lot of comedy that has nothing to do with the people in charge at all. I do love me some subversive comedy though. People employing it have to have really thick skin to weather the people who don't like it. They aren't going to thrive much in that arena complaining that people who don't find their bits funny to be suffering from wokeness.

Yeah, I'm probably showing my bias here. Most likely, the "comedians" who aren't subversive are people I just don't find very funny.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Wut? That routine is 100% poking fun at people. It’s funny because it pokes fun at people we all encounter every day.

No, it doesn't. It pokes fun at situations and interactions. If you can't tell the difference, that's a you problem.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

No, it doesn't. It pokes fun at situations and interactions. If you can't tell the difference, that's a you problem.

Lol. It’s about people. It’s always about people. Try telling a joke that doesn’t make fun of people doing or saying something. And the more jokes exploit and exaggerate common traits and interactions, the funnier.

There might be some jokes that don’t involve people out there, but they are damn rare.

 

[hoosboot]

Lol. It’s about people. It’s always about people. Try telling a joke that doesn’t make fun of people doing or saying something. And the more jokes exploit and exaggerate common traits and interactions, the funnier.

There might be some jokes that don’t involve people out there, but they are damn rare.

George Carlin's 7 Dirty Words?

From what I've seen, there is all kinds of comedy that doesn't really make fun of anybody.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Lol. It’s about people. It’s always about people. Try telling a joke that doesn’t make fun of people doing or saying something. And the more jokes exploit and exaggerate common traits and interactions, the funnier.

There might be some jokes that don’t involve people out there, but they are damn rare.

Jokes involve people. They might make fun of the people but they also make fun of the situation.

You want everyone treated as individuals and never as groups, but in comedy you want people treated as groups and not individuals?

When Bob Newhart did the skit about the USS Codfish he was not poking fun at the navy as a whole. It was about individuals, particularly a specific Captain, on a specific submarine at a specific time and place. It was a far cry from a joke that assumes all Irish are alcoholic.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Jokes involve people. They might make fun of the people but they also make fun of the situation.

You want everyone treated as individuals and never as groups, but in comedy you want people treated as groups and not individuals?

When Bob Newhart did the skit about the USS Codfish he was not poking fun at the navy as a whole. It was about individuals, particularly a specific Captain, on a specific submarine at a specific time and place. It was a far cry from a joke that assumes all Irish are alcoholic.

COH wants some people treated as individuals.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

George Carlin's 7 Dirty Words?

From what I've seen, there is all kinds of comedy that doesn't really make fun of anybody.

Oh I think the dirty words make fun of all of us. And there are a lot more words than those 7 that you will never hear in media. That makes fun of us too.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Remember the world's funniest joke, supposedly? Watson and Holmes looking up at the night sky? I think it illustrates the point, i don't think it makes fun of Watson, it makes fun of the situation they are in. It subverts our expectations of what Holmes is teaching Watson. When I laugh, it isn't because Watson was an idiot, I am laughing at the concept that someone had their tent stolen while in it. Enemy now thinking of that makes me chuckle.

And I do find it funny but seriously doubt the world's funniest claim.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

You want everyone treated as individuals and never as groups, but in comedy you want people treated as groups and not individuals?

I indeed want people treated as individuals. If you think that has anything to do with comedy you don’t get either point. I laugh at lawyer jokes too, but I don’t think of individual lawyers when I hear them. . . . um . . . . Well most of the time any way.

 

[Earlierthanlater]

Comedy is always about taking ordinary experiences and people with which and with whom we can relate and pointing out how messed up they are with exaggeration, extreme comparisons, and selective emphasis on obscure stuf. Women comics get laughs talking about husbands and men while men comics get laughs talking about wives, mothers-in-law and women. Richard Pryor made fun of whites. Others made fun of Irish. Ole and Lena jokes are hilarious when properly told. George Carlin took on everyone and everything. That was then, this is now. Nowadays much of the subject matter that cries for comedic treatment is off limits. (See Dave Chappell). Somebody will always be outraged, whether faked or not. Outrage has become its own cottage industry. That is the effect of wokeness.

Yes, I agree with much of what you say and can add that woke folks would be better served embracing cutting -edge comedy rather than trying to bury it. Most of the comedy is slashing and a parody of the values that woke folks embrace …but lack the sense of humor to appreciate that “ Blazing Saddles“ attacked outdated thinking more than supporting that thinking. so it was more woke than not.

 

[Cortez88]

Here’s a tip. If you use the words “woke” or “wokeness” people don’t take you serious.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

This thread has been a comedy gold mine so far, albeit unintentionally.

 

[DrHoops]

The co-writer and director says, “Of course, we could. Just without the jokes” and I think that's something to think about:

Destroying Comedy

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Airplane!, the comedy I wrote and directed with my brother Jerry and our friend Jim Abrahams. Just before the world shut

www.commentary.org

I definitely think it could. It’s really not bad. My parents took me to it in the theater. It was the first time I saw boobs (a HUGE thrill for me!).

A better example, IMHO, is The Bad News Bears. Watch the original with Walter Matthau. You won’t believe it was a kids movie. They drop the “n” word twice, call the two little Mexican kids who couldn’t speak English “spics”, and slam “Jews”. Plus, when they win they’re drinking beer in the dugout.

It’s amazingly funny but I can’t believe it was essentially for kids.

Exorcist would be very difficult to make it into theaters today too.

 

[HooDatGuy]

Yes, as long as they have actors, a camera, screenplay, and the other crap it takes to make a film.

Except, I think it should be about the propaganda-based myth known as "wokeness" which is an obvious sign that the article is pandering to disgruntled old white men looking to be outraged by stupid shit that doesn't really matter ..

Wokeness is real moron.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Here’s a tip. If you use the words “woke” or “wokeness” people don’t take you serious.

How so? . “Woke” means one is sensitive to their flavor of social injustice. In the context of comedy, poking fun at others is mostly what it is. Woke people overreact and not only miss the fun, but ruin it for everyone else. As I noted, this behavior has become its own commodity and the woke among us thinks it has value. I think it is often fake and almost always stupid in this context.

 

[anon_6hv78pr714xta]

Here’s a tip. If you use the words “woke” or “wokeness” people don’t take you serious.

What term do you think should be used then to refer to the phenomena?

At least as of 2017, the word was being used by those championing "social justice" (do you have a problem with that term?). It was created and used by those who thought it a positive until the last few years. BLM seized on it and used it post Ferguson incident:

What is the history of the word ‘woke’?

The phrase originated from African American Vernacular English but has been gradually co-opted by right wing players to be used as an insult

www.independent.co.uk

Coincidentally, here's a great tweet from John Cleese, who is actually funny AND people probably take seriously (or at least should because he's pretty smart):


The Black Ted Lasso

@NovaFrankly

ironic blackfolk made "woke" to represent awakening from evil centuries old racist conditioning now look yall highjacked &twisted it into some hollow caricature devoid of meaning that u ridicule &fight over it just like everything else we create man sincerely ****. ALL. OF. U.
Quote Tweet

John Cleese

@JohnCleese
· Sep 28, 2020
This is not the way I see it A lot of woke behaviours seem to me posturing ; striking attitudes that allow them to experience the lovely, warm glow of moral superiority, while justifying their own aggression by using denial-and-projection defences twitter.com/arctoarcturus/…
6:11 AM · Sep 29, 2020·Twitter Web App

 

[DrHoops]

Watch this clip from a "kids movie".