Laughter

"The tradition she wants to join is that of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, and in some ways she faces greater challenges than they did. Not just because she is a woman in a profession defined and dominated by men, but also because it is not as easy as it used to be to separate the hip from the square. What Bruce did with obscenity and Mr. Pryor - especially in his first concert film - did with race was to find the outer boundary of the audience's tolerance and push beyond it, confronting and confusing the satisfied self-image of the liberal, sophisticated public."

"This kind of transgression has long since become ritualized and normalized, and Ms. Silverman's act is the latest evidence that mocking political correctness has become a form of political correctness in its own right. Her version of insult humor is actually flattering, both to herself and to those who find it funny. She depends on the assumption that only someone secure in his or her own lack of racism would dare to make, or to laugh at, a racist joke, the telling of which thus becomes a way of making fun simultaneously of racism and of racial hyper-sensitivity. (Like many young, otherwise deracinated Jewish comedians, Ms. Silverman falls back on her ethnic identity as a way of claiming ready-made outsider status.)"

"Everything she says is delivered through enough layers of self-consciousness - air quotes wrapped in air quotes - to make anyone who finds it offensive look like a sucker. She even makes fun of the idea that she might be thought of as an "edgy" comedian. And indeed she isn't. Ms. Silverman is a skilled performer, and "Jesus Is Magic" is occasionally very funny, but don't be fooled: naughty as she may seem, she's playing it safe."
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A.O. Scott's reviews are incredible. But, he might be dealing harsh cards to someone who doesn't deserve it. Sarah Silverman seems harmless enough, and from what I can tell, means well. I haven't seen "Jesus is Magic" but I like the title, and the trailer's are a good indication.

And it isn't her movie that really concerns me. I'm persuaded to stay up on a worknight to write this entry because of A.O. Scott's criticism. His point about political correctness, and "edgy" humor, is a good one, and should be remembered next time someone says "he/she is too sensitive"--"racism is a reality, and you might as well accept it"--"the only way to fight racism is to be as politically incorrect as possible!"--"you need a sense of humor."

And you know, it's very myserious what makes us laugh. I laugh very easily, and at things "I know I shouldn't laugh at." But my reaction to something doesn't explain much. Laughter can be nervous. Laughter can be madness.

Some laugh at everything. To think life is at all serious is to ask for a lot of heart ache and dissapointment, because, life is nonsense! The world's crazy; why take it seriously? The painted face of a clown can be the most absurd as well as the most tragic thing.

"Laughter is the best medicine"--indeed, it heals, and it is one of the most redemptive kinds of release, next to crying, and screaming.

Is this laughter madness?

At whose expense?