Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

That's what I thought you meant. Nearly posted earlier to that effect, but then decided against it. I think you are right btw.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

How do we correct our class culture and start seeing past the names on peoples shirts and shoes? How can we give everyone a chance regardless of the status of their family?

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

I also think you need to differentiate between America and Canada. The US has produced genius performers such as Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, Chris Rock etc. Canada - not so much. This probably comes down to Canada's lack of real cultural identity.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

It's interesting that N. Americans overwhelmingly self identify as middle class. Everyone from a school caretaker to Jay Leno, from factory worker to Bill Gates. How do you laugh at people who are essentially the same as you, just more successful?

At least with the more distinct class structure in the UK it gives us good comic material. It's funny to laugh at the idiocy of the upper classes, the pitiable sycophancy of the middle class and the bumbling militancy of the working class. In NA, the major differences are ethnicity and religion. Making fun at those just comes across as unseemly bigoted.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

John Candy.
Dan Ackroyd.
Eugene Levy.
Jim Carey.
Mike Myers.
Seth Rogen.
Shaun Majumder.
Rick Mercer.
And of course William Shatner "singing" Rocketman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE).

For sure we lack comic genius ... maybe if we get bigger we'll get more recognition :p

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

I remember a girl i worked with in Vancouver saying she'd seen an episode of The League of Gentlemen. She couldnt quite describe how sick she found it. She still looked rattled when she was explaining it. Her reaction made me realise the difference in humour and how sick ours is. :D

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

Ever seen Gary Unmarried ... I`m not even sure it`s mature enough to rate as juvenile in the UK.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

...fair shout - Shatner is a comic genius.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

In the village I come from in the UK The League of Gentlemen would be considered a documentary!

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

Dont forget russell peters! Hilarious.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qtrAMK7_Qk

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

Why? There is very much a north american culture.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

Shatner on being Canadian - not Kilingon!

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

....although the best of the US stand-ups use these differences to great effect, from Lenny Bruce's cool New York Jew shtich, right through to Chris Rock and his famous "N" word routine. American comics seem to be able to handle these themes with a real confidence that even British performers seems to steer clear of on the whole.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

I personally think the American comics that resort to this type of material come across as unfunny bigoted a-holes.

Re: Canadians' Sense of Humour?
 

As much as british humour is based on class, yank humour is based on race. I watch jon stewart regularly and they seem obsessed by it. There's that guy who does the 'black correspondent' bit - I can kind of see why americans find it funny, it just seems odd to me though.