Why is Canadian comedy unfunny?

Show all answers

nunquamcede

It's not "unfunny" -- it's just that you sometimes have to have a Canadian perspective of the world to appreciate why it *is* funny. Much of Canadian humour is not about us, but about others who *look* like us and more or less talk like us -- take Americans as a good example -- but who often have very different perspectives on the world that make the humour work.

Sort of like a Canadian not getting why a Balkan/Iranian/Turkish comedian is "funny" when listened to in their own context, but not in another (I certainly haven't seen comedians from these regions making it big outside of their home countries, so why would you expect something different from a Canadian?)

As for "Kids in the Hall", I leave it to them to defend their own...

ras_debol

Unfunny eh?
Guess you don't like: Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Jim Carrey, Tommy Chong, Mike Myers, Rich Little, Phil Hartman, Eugene Levy, Howie Mandel, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Norm McDonald, Martin Short, Dave Thomas, etc....
(actually you may NOT like some of them but still most there are MANY funny Canadians in the US)
Between comedians and actors we have a veritable "canadian invasion"!
What is "funny" is a very personal taste but I think you will find that many people actually DO find canadian comedy to be at least as funny as most homegrown humor.....
Just my .02 cents.
RAS

The Lone Gunman

Why is American comedy so totally unfunny?
Surely no one really laughs at that stuff! I mean, no self respecting real audience would laugh, even if they were drunk and being paid to laugh, which is why they need to use canned laughter!
American TV, with it's rubbish "Comedy", it's rubbish soap operas and (worst of all) it's reality TV is destroying the media of TV for the rest of us, because sadly, they all follow where America goes.
And NO, I am not Canadian, I am European.

p_wabbit

just so you know, some of the biggest names in US comdy are Canadian including:

Lorne Michaels (producer/creator SNL)
John Candy
Jim Carrey
Mike Myers
Dan Akroyd
Phil Hartman
Rick Moranis
Paul Shafer
Norm MacDonald
Eugene Levy
Tommy Chong
Tom Green
Martin Short
Howie Mandel
Stephen Leacock
William Shatner (ok - technically not a comedian - but have you heard his album?)

not to mention shows like SCTV, Trailer Park Boys and yes, Kids in the Hall - which admittedly is pretty surreal for mainstream tastes.

Ironically, one of the most popular Canadian comedies in Canada is "Talking to Americans" in which a Cdn mock - reporter interviews ignorant American types about current events and basic knowledge type stuff - and we all have a laugh at your expense. Funny stuff, but not something most Americans are likely to "get".

topcelt

because they live so close to the us and are catching their anal disease

liathano70

Hmmm I was under the impression that we're very funny, maybe you just gotta be Canadian to understand it.

The funniest Canadian skit ever (in my opinion) the McKenzie bothers "have a beer you, hoser!!"

John Candy, the greatest he will be sorely missed.

Try watching SCTV, EH.

dici

coz the taste of sense of humor is different in different countries, so we don't understand what they are trying to say

leblongeezer

Humor is a result of misery (spiritual). It is a mean of coping with problems. Take Woody Allen or Cris Rock for example, their comic sense is a result of crappy childhood. Canadians live in a low stress and more egalitarian society and, therefore, less fertile for comedy. However, some Canadians are successful in comedy, e.g. Jim Carrey.

jeffypuff

You have to be Canadian to understand the jokes. The funniest show in TV right now is Corner Gas, but I seriously doubt that any American would understand the "in" jokes. The comedy would fly right over their heads. There are no American sitcoms on TV that I like - they're all boring and stupid with the same lame jokes on every show. And Kids in the Hall was one of the most innovative and funny shows on television.

smartcook1e

Depends on what you like. Apparently some people even find American comedy entertaining !!!

Goddess of Grammar

Kids in the Hall is hilarious. I don't like to answer questions with "You are completely wrong", but come on. At times KITH is like watching dry paint turn liquid again and settle back in the can (unfunny but very very weird) but it's never like watching paint dry.

What is the "Golden Rose of Montreal"?

Anyway, I've got ten things to do today, ten things to do.

suzzycarter

Canadian or American Comedy isn't that funny english comedians are the funniest by far

toy181

Canadian Comedy is Brilliant! You simply need a sense of humour to appreciate it....apparently....you do not.

meathead76

Yeah- try "Strange Brew".

Erik

Some of these questions and answers are funny and some of the ones posted are from Canada.

mek67x

eh?

mytlc3

canadian or european comedy i believe is regarded as dry humor or humour not unfunny just on a reserved level
geniouses also use dry humour it is a different level of what one finds to be funny

Nizoja

Canadian humour is great! If you are Canadian...It has alot of "inside" jokes. I would like to recommend a comedy troupe thats so funny and are Canadian, 3 Dead Trolls in a Baggie. Find them at www.deadtroll.com
My fav is "Welcome to the Internet Helpdesk" and the "Weather Report"

duh there canadien

rivers_of_life

they have no sense of humour

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: