Comedy Central My Fuckin Ass!!!

[NickFlanagan]

Honestly, I wish I got Comedy Central. Its original programming that trickles to Canada is shown on our Comedy Network, and its pretty much the best stuff on there--you'd be surprised at the low quality of a lot our homegrown stuff, although I hear Americans like some of our homegrown stuff.

I don't think they've shown much Richard Pryor stuff, but they may have, because they have shown some classic standup specials. They don't show enough though. Such a crappy channel. You'd think we weren't funny if you watched it.

[SweetLuchia]

No Gareth no network has quality programming ALL the time that much I'll give you. My point is don't call yourself "Comedy Central" when really your "$$Marketable Central$$"
Don't be so naive Gareth if the powers at be at CC wanted to run clips of the Greats or air old Specials or old Interviews they could but as Jim M. so properly put it, they don't b/c it all boils down to MONEY!
Think about it if they aired the old Barbara Walters interviews with Mr. Pryor, for example, this would peak the publics interest in HIM and they would go out and buy HIS albums, rent HIS movies, log on to HIS website etc. etc. etc. WHERE'S THE MONEY TO BE MADE FOR CC? There is none thus we see none of the people who made the channel possible in the first place. It's just WRONG!!!

Why should you and I be deprived of the Comedy Greats just cause CC can't make $$$$ off of THEIR genius?!](

[Jim Mendrinos]

SweetLuchia,

Down girl! Yes it is about money, but it's also about changing times. The perceptions of what is and is not funny has changed over the years. Comedy Central is in the business of catering to those changes.

yes it all comes down to money. Unfortunately when it comes to TV and film the studios controle the art, not the artists. It's impossible to go back and change that reality, however it is up to every performer to understand the nature of the industry beast, and BE AWARE OF WHAT THEY ARE SIGNING when the sign a contract.

So many of the greats signed away things that they believed had no value. Now, years later, they wish they could go back and fix that.

Be aware, be informed, be a business person as well as an artist.

As for CC and classic comedy, I think it's only a matter of time before they launch Comedy Central Classic - 24 hours a day of vintage comedy, from Richard Pryor to Topo Gigio...

[SweetLuchia]

Jim Mendrinos,

Sorry man it just pisses me off to see such a Beautiful, Inspiring, NECESSARY Art form turn into a $$Marketable Industry$$

I can understand CC catering to the changing tastes of comedy but Jim some tastes never change. Take Mr. P.'s special "Live On Sunset Strip" what part of that isn't applicaple to what is going on in our world today? The stuff he did on relationships, prison, freebase or as we so fondly call it today**Crack** it's ALL as fresh now as it was when he put out to us for the very first time
I realize there are compaines like Warner Bros etc. that CC would have to deal with in addition to those managing the Comic Greats and/or their estates, however I find it VERY HARD TO BELIEVE that CC couldn't put together at least an hour of programming each week with clips, interviews etc. from the Comedians who made their channel possible in the 1st place
If they can't do that, why would they even try to have a 2nd network with 24/7 classic stand up? I'll believe it when I see it

[Gareth]

SweetLuchia,

i wouldnt say im being naive because i enjoy the network. i mean... its called comedy central, and they play nothing but comedy. whether you think its funny or not.

i think jim is right. sooner or later... a second channel will be available... and also makes a killer point, that they are planting seeds to make money tomorrow.

you say its all about money. i never said it wasnt. you know as good as any other comic, singer, actor, musician that its called "show business." dont forget the "business" part of that.

i appreciate your passion, but i in no way think i am naive for being a person that enjoys the programming. i pretty much pay for digital cable *just* so i can have comedy central. so their formula isnt a complete flaw.

you mention that comedy central is keeping these old programs from you, when you have the freedom to rent, purchase, or obtain by "other" means, any of these late greats. is it a networks responsibility to make sure a new generation stays educated on what was and still is great? no, its not. it would be nice... but its not the discovery channel or anything.

it is their job to make their wallets fatter off of farting and shitting jokes made by paper cartoons. in which, they suceed.

and comedy wasnt invented by said names either... there is a load of people that all had their play in the evolution of comedy. some is better and more widespread than others... but even old, old, old stars like like laurel and hardy had an influence. even jerry lewis (love him or hate him, at least the french took him). mr pryor certainly raised the bar of standup to new heights. but i think comedy is broader than just saying what you have to say. stand up is great... its comedy in its purest and most personal form. but its not all about that.

i guess what i am trying to say is this...

bottom line.. the shows on comedy central make me laugh, just like they should. some make me laugh a lot more than others... but you cant please everyone all of the time. and certainly not luchia ;p


much love all,


gareth

[Jennifer]

SweetLuchia,
God-when i see disucssions going on like this -I JUST LOVE THIS SITE SO MUCH!! anD EVERYFUCKINGBODY ON IT!
Jim is big daddy now-ya know-he is the experineced voice from whom we can all learn.
About CC-i am doing business with them-so i must mind some p's and q's-they are the only show in town as a 'comedy channel' so we gotta work with them-but the critique Jim offers is right on and the stuff SL says is also true. We gotta fight the good fight and when we see the obstacles Work Around Them!!! We can win!!!

[SweetLuchia]

Jennifer,

Thank you. I'm glad I started a forum you appreciate. I also appreciate having this site to vent my frustrations with CC as I feel that's what this site is for to tell the TRUTH and perserve the ART of Stand Up.

Now that's it's out of my system, I'll let it go:lol: Although I don't think it's unreasonable to expect an hour a week dedicated to the Comedians who made their channel possible in the 1st place. I mean really is an hour each week featuring interviews, out takes, old stand up specials not acceassable to the public too much to ask?

I hope they get with it. If not I guess we'll never see the old clips, interviews etc. of Lenny Bruce, Redd Foxx, Bill Hicks etc. Hopefully all of the Greats who went before us can feel the LOVE respect and admiration we have for them here

Luchia

[jane_haze]

This is almost pointless, but I'm gonna add my 2 Euro 50 in.

If CC was a sensible network, I wouldn't be able to give you a moving rendition of truly cinematic pieces of art, such as Airheads, PCU and the Adventures of Fletch. If you're a fan of a program, you're in luck (unless it's a made for CC show...in that case, chances are it will only last a season or so *couch* V.S., beat the geeks, make me laugh, that's my bush *cough*), as you will probably get a chance to see a missed show...over and over and over again.

I have a personal grudge against CC for the lack of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" rotation...there's fuckin' 10 years of that show (14 if you add in ABCs editions), yet they can only play the same 8 episodes!!!!

Nevermind the stand up. I love the stand-up. They change it up...enough. It could be a lot worse. I just think they should play more of the older CC stand up shows more often. Like the A-List and Two (or is it "No")Drink Minimum and stuff.

Have you all noticed that the more popular the shows get, the better movies they get to re-run...over and over and over again.....only editted. "Get me some of that stuff we used to eat all the time back in the day...puddin'!"-editted Half Baked.

So, my beef...they kill programming. They need to change up the stuff.

I'd like to see the comedy legends, heroes, (dare I say) gods, but I know comedy central doesn't have an HBO budget. So, what can you do?

Jane

[NickFlanagan]

Actually, ya know what? The comedy network in Canada is less shitty than I made it out to be, it's just that you needto actively seek out their gems. The saturday and sunday morning/afternoon programming is all classic shows like Phil Silvers, The Honeymooners, The Steve Allen Show, Sid Caesar's Show of Shows,and I think it's frigging great that they show that stuff--the Phil Silvers Show especially.
The other good thing about our comedy network is that we don't bleep or edit as much as CC has to. And am I crazy for enjoying Beat The Geeks? I like the host.

[jane_haze]

NickFlanagan,

The US censorship is bull shit. I hate it. I have to come to Germany to hear uneditted Crank Yankers, South Park, and the Osbournes....among the random German tits and bits on tv that I could probably do without...but hey...it's better than killing and violence!!!

which host? the van something guy or Blaine Capatch?

I'm Blaine partial myself...good comic.

Jane