I don't like humor based on tricking people. What about you?

[kwassa]

There is a whole generation of comedians now who base their shtick on posing as journalists and tricking gullible people. This is true of Borat, many of the side character interviews on the Daily Show, Cohen's Ali G character, it is the humor behind Punk'd, and generally pops up all over the place.

It is manipulation of people, usually, and has a major streak of cruelty at it's center.

I know some here find this funny. I don't understand exactly why tricking unsuspecting people is funny.

Do you find this type of humor funny or not?

[cobalt1999]

1. I was one of 5 boys in our family.

While growing up, if your joke or trick didn't actually kill or permanently injure your brother, then it was considered funny. It's amazing we survived and still talk to each other.

So, while posing and tricking people seems tame considering what we put each other through, if it's done well and has a element of cleverness about it, then, yes, I can find the humor. That said, doing it well with an element of cleverness is HARD to pull off.

[blondeatlast]

2. Generally no, although I am a big fan of well-done dark humor

(the movies Fargo/Snatch/I Love You to Death, etc, for instance).

However, I do kind of like the "set-up" humor on The Daily Show because the "victims" are usually such pomposu asses they end up mocking themselves more than being mocked by others--and generally have NO discernible sense of humor whatsoever. If they did, they'd realize what they were getting into.

[Bunny]

3. I think it's cruel. Shows like Punk'd are just awful, IMO.

They play nasty tricks on unsuspecting people and that sucks.

On the other hand, the style of The Daily Show is pretty well known, as are its' overall political leanings. If you agree to go on that show, you should have some idea of what direction they're headed with it. So I can't feel too sorry for the wingers who go on there and make asses of themselves - they should have seen it coming. The smart ones go along with the joke and it makes them look like good sports.

[kwassa]

10. What if someone knows nothing about The Daily Show?

There are many who never see it simply because it is on so late.

I don't know that the correspondents represent themselves as being from that show. I know Borat definitely tells a lie about who he represents.

isn't it simply making fun of people that aren't with the latest trend?

[Bunny]

13. Well, it's not too hard to do a little research if you know you're going

to be featured on the Daily Show. I think Borat is a dick.

[Lilith Velkor]

4. It's been around since Candid Camera

Sometimes it's funny, other times it's just mean.

[MissMillie]

5. I'm w/ you, especially when it comes to crank phone calls

I hate the show Crank Yankers, and the albums by the Jerky Boys and I hate it when the local radio stations wake people up in the morning with some crank phone call about their upcoming wedding or their car or some other big purchase...

I feel so sorry for people whose only crime is that they had the audacity to answer the phone.

[SteppingRazor]

6. Depends who's being tricked...

I think it's kinda mean to make a typical person on the street look stupid, but if you're doing the same to politicians, I'm perfectly OK with it.

[kwassa]

8. Why is it o.k. with politicians?

[SteppingRazor]

12. they're public figures n/t

[ThomCat]

7. I can't sit through any comedy that's based on

humiliating people or tricking people. x(

[Phillycat]

9. I also do not find it funny. nt

[BarenakedLady]

11. Not really

It makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable.

[idgiehkt]

14. I love Punk'd

Probably because they set up celebrities and athletes. It's free exposure for these folks anyway, so I'm sure they love it.

I don't like seeing cruel tricks played on the 'man on the street' or whatever, but I liked Punk'd and that other hidden camera show MTV did where they timed people to see how long they could go without throwing a fit. I thought that was hysterical.

[Divameow77]

16. I will also add that

Punk'd does not air the episode with out the prankee's permission.

[wildhorses]

15. Do you find this type of humor funny or not?

not so much. I prefer a more sophisticated, dry type of ironic and dark humor.

Different strokes for different folks:shrug:

[ZombieNixon]

17. Depends on who's being tricked.

Some people just flat out deserve it. Politicians lie to us all the time, why should I shed any tears when someone lies to them? :shrug:

[William Bloode]

18. I have no problem with it.

One of the biggest classic old T.V. shows was just that, "You're on candid camera". The others are just a twist on an old idea.

Also Ali-G, or Borat(both Cohen i know) are pretty damned transparent to all but the clinically brain dead.

[HEyHEY]

19. It's not as funny as kicking crutches out from the handicapped

But it still makes me laugh.

[Orsino]

20. If the victim has some sort of prejudice or character flaw...

...that deserves exposure/ridicule, yes, I can enjoy it a lot. If the comic is making fun primarily of himself, and only making onlookers uncomfortable, that's often funny as well. This means that I like a lot of Borat material, can't stand Crank Yankers, and have never even tried to watch Punk'd.