No laughing matter?

Kirk Baird

Friday, Oct. 12, 2001 | 8:33 a.m.

"Humor is tragedy plus time." Mark Twain

When comedian David Brenner was growing up, he learned a valuable lesson about comedy that holds true even today.

"My father, who was the funniest person I've ever known, told me there is something funny in everything," Brenner said.

Later, after challenging his father's theory on comedy by making a crack during an uncle's funeral - much to the ire of some relatives - Brenner learned there's more to humor than coming up with a joke.

"My father said, 'I forgot to tell you: There is a time and place for it. And this is not the right time or place for it,'" Brenner recalled. "Fifteen seconds later, he whispered to me, 'But it was very funny.'"

And now the topical comedian, who has made a recent comeback at the Golden Nugget by addressing issues pulled from the day's headlines, finds himself in a similar situation: When is it OK to find humor in the previously unthinkable? When is it OK to make jokes about the events surrounding Sept. 11?

It's not an easy task, Brenner conceded, for himself or other like-minded comedians.

No longer acceptable to audiences are jokes about the government, he said, along with cracks about God, the American flag, flying, New York City, the military and anything that could be construed as unpatriotic.

This means that President Bush, a staple in the acts of many politically minded comedians, is - for the time being at least - off limits.

Even "Saturday Night Live," famous for its political sketches, took heed of this sentiment by foregoing any Bush jokes in its season opener.

The nearly universal public support for the president has made it tough on comedians, especially national political satirists such as Will Durst, who has performed in Las Vegas at corporate events and is a contributing columnist for the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. The comic has had to quickly develop new material the last few weeks after leaning heavily on jokes aimed at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

"There's no Bush bashing," Durst said during a phone interview from his hotel room in Indianapolis. "Audiences are uncomfortable with it. They're not sure if it's unpatriotic or not."

In addition to avoiding jabs at the president, Durst's new routine also avoids jokes about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. At the risk of becoming "bogus" by staying clear of political hot topics, Durst said he has found humor in the terrorists behind the actions, as well as the U.S. response.

For example, he chides the terrorists for their selection of targets.

"They should have taken out the IRS headquarters," he said. "And then the American response would have been, 'Darn. That was awful. They better not try that again.' "

Durst also jokes about those who rushed to judgement over who was behind the terrorist attacks.

"We're not sure if it was Islamic fundamentalists. It could have been Iceland. They're probably still (miffed) at us for making Bjork wear that stupid swan dress" to this year's Academy Awards ceremony.

Durst said in most cases the audience response in various clubs across the country was similar to a pep rally. Those in attendance were happy to find an emotional release from the tragic events.

"They were so relieved they were able to laugh about it," he said.

Other comics trying similar jokes, however, haven't fared as well.

Chris Rock tested 10 minutes of material about the attacks recently at the Improv Comedy Club in Hollywood, Calif., to a "lukewarm" response, said Melinda Drysen, Improv publicity manager.

And satirist Bill Maher, host of ABC's "Politically Incorrect," was publicly rebuked for his comments questioning the terrorists' relative cowardice: "We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away -- that's cowardly."

No comment

Then there are those comedians who shy away from political wit, instead relying on observational humor or props for laughs. For them, not having to worry about what is and what isn't publicly acceptable to lampoon is refreshing, given the current hazards facing other comics.

"I get to talk about silly things -- men and women, and why they love each other and drive each other crazy," said Rita Rudner, who performs six nights a week at New York-New York. "It really helps the audience."

Still, Rudner said it's important for her to at least acknowledge what's on everyone's mind, which she does at the beginning of her show just after she walks onstage.

"I mention that what we're going through is frustrating and frightening, but at the same time I think it's OK to be silly for an hour and a half," she said. "After all, we are residing in the silly capital of America and the world."

For some other Las Vegas comedians who generally shy away from politics, the approach to handling the attacks varies.

Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks prop comic/magician the Amazing Johnathan, who also performs at the Golden Nugget, went against his normal comedic routine of relying on gross-out gags involving household items and R-rated remarks, to include a few jokes at Osama bin Laden's expense.

The comments went over well, he said, but ultimately he dropped the jokes because he didn't want to dwell on the tragedy.

Mac King, the comic-magician who performs in his self-titled show afternoons at Harrah's, has chosen to avoid making references to current events during his show.

"People are not coming to the card-trick guy for solace or to put this into perspective. They're coming to not hear about it, to forget about it for an hour and a half," King said. "I think if I brought it up, it would be jarring for people."

Laughter as medicine

No matter what comedians are saying onstage, local comedy club managers said the public is enjoying the humor. At a time when other Las Vegas shows are suffering decreased attendance, three of the four casino comedy clubs locally are experiencing better-than-average turnouts, or at least sustaining customer levels to those prior to Sept. 11.

The lone exception is the Riviera Comedy Club, which opens Monday after temporarily closing for more than a month. George Staresinic, Riviera director of advertising and public relations, said the club "took a hiatus" because it seemed appropriate.

"We felt it wasn't a time for laughter. We didn't want to offend anyone," Staresinic said. "Plus, we wanted to be sensitive to the comedians."

Laugh Trax, the comedy club at Palace Station, considered a similar move, said Judy Alberti, vice president of entertainment at Station Casinos. But after meeting with Palace Station Vice President and General Manager Jonathan Swain, it was decided to keep the comedy club open after going dark the night of the attacks.

"(Swain) really said let's keep it open and provide the distraction for the people who are looking for it," she said. "I think he made a good call on it."

Alberti added that public response for the decision has been favorable.

"People have said thanks so much for staying open. That they need this escapism and the distraction, and to get some humor," she said.

Which, ultimately, is what comedy is all about, Durst said. Helping the public come to grips with happened that fateful morning.

"(Sept. 11) is an emotional beanbag chair that's been dropped on our hands," he said. "All comedy does is help put a handle on it."

archive