Where Are All The Good Comedians?
Who told Loyiso Gola that he is funny?
I need answers.
How did he come to have a comedy TV show, and why is the country putting up with this gigantic farce? People even follow him on Twitter. Why?! What is so appealing about having an alarmingly round face shout inanities at you in caps lock? I’m serious – I need to know. Am I the loony here?
In fact, take a look around you. How many really sharp comedians does South Africa have? I’m talking here about somebody who not only has the jokes and the comedic delivery to hold a roomful of drunkards from Bryanston for 15 minutes. I’m talking about someone who wraps spicy social commentary in saucy wit. I’m talking about the whole package. I can only think of one man. Jon Vlismas. He’s an undisputed genius with his pen, and god only knows how brilliant the Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola would have been had it been in the capable hands of Vlismas. Instead, you have to put up with the oafish preaching of Gola. If you choose to watch the show at all. Which I don’t. I have far better use for my precious brain.
The greatest comedians on earth are either Jon Stewart or the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker. And yes, they have the brilliant jokes. But they go much further than that. When they attack a topic, they don’t do it by half. They plunge the knife of truth in and twist it with savage comedy. They get away with far more than any commentator or analyst in the pages of the New York Times or the Washington Post ever would. Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon, just won nine Tony Awards.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Daily Show: Whackistan | ||||
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Where is South Africa’s Jon Stewart? Where are our Trey Parker and Matt Stone? Remember Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, the geniuses who brought us the Blackadder series and Thin Blue Line (Elton’s doing)? Where’s our lot? Why must we always be the also-rans?
Here’s the part that really gets on my tits. This country is comedy gold. We have so much crap swimming around, just asking to be mocked. Take the ridiculous AfriForum vs Julius Malema court case. Why isn’t anyone taking the piss out of that on national TV, for all to see? Are they too afraid of miffing out the sort of shouty, News24 reading, BMW driving, Carte Blanche watching creature that makes up the majority of the high-end, TV audience in South Africa? Or is it the government we’re too afraid of?
As a society, South Africa is too uptight for its own good. Time and again common sense is sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. It’s like we’re too aware of the fact that the new South Africa is not even 20 years old, and a cheeky gag about race is going to upset Julius Malema, and then it’ll all go to hell.
I want comedians who have the balls to cut straight through the tension and offend the hell out of everybody by pointing out how precious we are about our beliefs as a country.
I’ve just remembered Riaad Moosa. I like him too. He’s often willing to cross the superficial lines we draw for ourselves, although to his shame he’s also willing to apologise for that. Remember that hilarious Osama bin Laden video of his that took the mickey out of certain interpretations of Islam? Why did he subsequently apologise for doing the right thing? So what if people got offended? My copy of the Constitution doesn’t guarantee anybody the right to go through life unchallenged and unoffended.
But that is how we live. We put up with mediocre comedians like Trevor Noah and Barry Hilton and Eugene Khoza and Marc Lottering because they never truly rattle the cage. We’re fine with their irrelevance (unless you’re asked to hold the line when calling the Cell C call centre) because deep down, we’re too afraid of confronting the things that incisive comedy may bring up.
So every Wednesday, we tune in to the LNN show so Gola can gently massage our collective dimmed intellects. But not too hard, see.
Well, screw that. I’m currently in the process of collecting every single Top Gear, South Park and Daily Show with Jon Stewart DVD that I can lay my hands on. I have to resort to YouTube for my Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe fix, but that’s ok too. At least they don’t crack lame jokes about people from Limpopo.
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56 Comments
SwissT
21 Jun 2011
Sipho why you such an angry chap? Bar quizzes peeving you last week, now comedians…not Living the Holiday methinks…speak to Mavis she knows how
Anton
21 Jun 2011
I agree, Loyiso is about as funny as wiping your bum and seeing blood on the paper, but you did forget about Nik Robinowitz – he only ever keeps you out of your comfort zone – and is truly the wittiest Saffa on circuit.
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
Bru, you wouldn’t like me when I’m happy…
Doodles
21 Jun 2011
I cannot think of anyone less funny than John Vlismas. Give me Loyiso anyday!
Mattcredible
21 Jun 2011
Jislaaik’t Sipho, I agree with SwissT here. You are a cross chappy. I scheme Loyiso isn’t so bad. I’ll tell you who isn’t funny. David Kau isn’t funny. I’ve heard him repeat sooo many jokes from overseas comedians, the worst part? He screws their jokes up! Gola is getting better. Kau? Well Kau just sucks oke.
KG
21 Jun 2011
Op die kop buddy. SA is so dry!!! One comedian with many twitter followers talks about the president hitting people on their foreheads with his manhood, i mean really now!!
BCM
21 Jun 2011
Hi Sipho.
It’s interesting to read you having a go at LNN, when you’ve not watched it. You then go on to make claims like “This country is comedy gold. We have so much crap swimming around, just asking to be mocked. Take the ridiculous AfriForum vs Julius Malema court case. Why isn’t anyone taking the piss out of that on national TV, for all to see? “…which is exactly what Loyiso has been having a go at in his LNN slot…among other witty goes at the politicians of this country.
Uninformed opinions are not as sharp mate.
Further to this, you’ve not mentioned Kagiso Lediga! He’s arguably the smartest comedian around.
Cheers.
Mvelase
21 Jun 2011
I won’t defend Loyiso Gola, he is a depressingly unfunny person. I don’t get why he ostensibly has the show, but you know what thank god he has the show. The show, not Gola is great. If you make it past the first 15mins of Gola you get Comedy Gold like Riaad Moosa, Chester Missing, and the other “correspondents” on the show, who are just brilliant.
I don’t know about you but judging by my Twitter timeline when the show airs, most people are finding them, and not Gola, funny.
Marcel
21 Jun 2011
Sipho,
You might be mixing up “stand-up comedy” with “political satire”.
Not all comics need to necessarily “rattle the cage” about politics, race and culture – some do a perfectly great job of pointing out the humour of human nature: kids, marriage, etc,etc.
If you consider the spectrum of South Africa “political satire” over the last 30 years, there is someone who stands out: Pieter Dirk Uys. And I don’t think he’d consider himself a stand-up comedian. But he did cause quite a bit of upset with the apartheid government.
What’s your opinion on Conrad Koch?
Juan
21 Jun 2011
Perhaps what you should be asking yourself is why do the mediocre comedians get on television. When last did you actually visit a comedy club? When did you get out and see how many talented, and extremely funny, comedians we have in this country? The problem here is not with the comedians, but rather with the culture that promotes the mediocrity tot he top and makes them rich, while those who challenge the status quo remain unknown. Even John Vlismas, who you laude is not the hellion he once was. If you had seen him perform recently you would know that. He’s famous because he’s a gentler version of what he once was.
The truth is something Highveld Stereo, Jacaranda, The Barnyard Theatre, Top Billing, 3 Talk and all the other ridiculous locally produced entertainment channels have proven with their formulas; people don’t want to be challenged and so no one will pay people to challenge them.
Get out, go see comedy, and be blown away. The clubs are the only place for that. SA has the talent, some of them have even achieved some recognition online, but I doubt we’ll ever see an era where the best of our comics make it into the public eye.
blade
21 Jun 2011
I disagree, I think Loy is funny.
It’s extreemly difficult to become a succesful comedian in south africa. I imagine its even more difficult to GET a tv show. LNN was as edgy as it got. You said it yourself, our society is a very uptight. Now imagine trying to keep a TV show on air while trying not to piss producers / advertisers off too much with ones material.
That being said I do belive that there are loads of funny comedians. BUT the comedians you have listed in this article are only the ones people see on TV or know about.
If you want really edgy comedians… comedians without an “image” to maintain. Check out your local comedy club/night.
The comedy scene is rather young in RSA. Comparing it to comedy in States where comedians have been working for 20 – 30 years…rather unfair.
Some of the show writes on Jon Stewart for example have been in comedy for over 20 years. Loyi is only celebrating being in comedy for 10 years…
Aasia
21 Jun 2011
I am one the biggest fans of SA comedy, and honestly it is easy to judge the lack of funny, when you can’t be funny yourself. Loyiso may not be everybody’s cup of tea but if you see his actual standup, you will be surprised.
Regarding Riaad Moosa, this man is a genius when it comes to comedy. He apologised not because he bowed to public pressure, but he truly believes the point of the skit was missed, or not obvious to everyone.
Where i draw the line however, is you trying to find the Saffa equivalent of american slapstick…. which is worse, We have our brand of funny. You never made mention of Conrad Koch,Nik Rabinowitz, Vittorio Leornardi, Martin Jonas, Kagiso Lediga hell you haven’t even looked at the female comics, like Krijay Govender, Tumi Morake and Judy Jake.
Best you look at the comic scene more holistically before you endeavour to have an opinion on something you know nothing about.
It’s easy to criticize such a difficult form of theatre. Stick to politics, at least there people believe you.
Juan
21 Jun 2011
When I think about it, it’s also a matter of budgets. The daily show is not written by Jon Stewart it is written by a team of 22 comedy writers. I am not sure of the numbers but I’d be surprised if LNN was written by more than 5. SA TV simply does not have the budget to match that. Also if you think Trey and Matt are the only writers on South Park you might like to do some more research.
Martin Evans
21 Jun 2011
wow.
i am the greatest comedian in the country, my work is utter genius, everything i say is comedy gold.
dont believe me? well why not come and see my new show
“Hellpants and the FBPK” at the National Arts Festival at the Scout Hall.
If I am wrong? well you can have your money back on the ticket. Granted you will have to ask computicket for the refund though. Leave me alone to write words of wisdom.
Steven
21 Jun 2011
Don’t even get me started with Barry Hilton. Watched his show at GrandWest last weekend, man is a fucking idiot who appeals to the lowest common denominator with fart jokes and rugby humour. What a fool.
Andrew
21 Jun 2011
Great article, Sipho. South African comedy is to international comedy what South African music is to international music.
Alyn Adams
(@) 22 Jun 2011
Seen a lot of SA comedy, have you, Andrew? And was it some 3000-seater "heavyweight" venture, or was it in a comedy club/pub?
KC
21 Jun 2011
Sipho,
Maybe if you spend some more time in comedy clubs and less time with your head up your own ass, you’ll see that we have way more comedians in the country than the ones you see on television. I personally worked on LNN while at e.tv and I can assure you that they work a lot harder than you think, evidently. There are zero other shows like LNN on South African television and the fact that Loy, Kagiso, Riaad, David Kibuuka, Conrad and the guys at Diprente Communications have even attempted something like this deserves a bit of credit.
Different strokes for different folks. Some people find Loyiso side-splittingly funny and some don’t. Some people give a shit about what Sipho Hlongwane has to say and some don’t. It’s pretty normal, this whole ‘difference of opinion’ thing.
My obiter dictum would be: stop being an arsehole and stop generalising.
BR
21 Jun 2011
Sorry Sipho, your rant had me for about the first 10 lines, then i had to switch off.
LNN is funny, but to each his own, you’re probably the kind of person that finds Mr. Bean funny…which I think is an absolute waste of space.
SA has a lot of good comedians, but like someone mentioned, you might be confusing stand-up with satirical factual news events.
PS. John Vlismas is about as funny as a brick.
Gomesh
21 Jun 2011
You know when your in a group of people and a guy just watched a documentary about “capitalism” and tries to educate people about it, and he’s sitting around a bunch of economists… hmmmm
Get off your couch and be brave enough to go sit in the front seat of a comedy club, specially with loyiso, lmfao… that dude will make you cry with laughter. etv is censored foolio
Mum-z
21 Jun 2011
All this talk of comedy is making me want to watch some live comedy myslelf. I think I will head to Purple Turtle (Cnr. Shortmarket and Long Street) tonight, at about 20h30 for a great night of comedy including comedians: Dugald Pieterse (Headlining), Gino Fernandez (Hosting), Kellyn Coetzee, Chris Steenkamp, Dalin Oliver and much more… The show is called Funny Bones and it is on every Tuesday. I love stand up comedy
Werner
21 Jun 2011
Sipho
You are quite correct. But your problem isn’t the comedians per se. It is the entire industry from the audience, through to corporates and acts included. The problem is a) Good talent isn’t developed. b) Audiences are mostly retarded and doesn’t “get”clever comedy. They exist, but they are the minority. c) Corporates don’t support comedy, sure they get the flavor of the month to do a few ads for them but they don’t help grow the industry.
Therefore the same lame shit is recycled and the market stays small. Until the country develops a strong comedy culture it will always be at the dominion of the connected few.
FYI, Martin you aren’t the funniest comedian. I am.
Gareth
21 Jun 2011
Whether you enjoy Loy or not you need to appreciate what he and acts like Trevor Noah have done to help bring stand up comedy into the homes of millions of South Africans and how this has accelerated the growth of the industry as a whole.
You might find their comedy LCD , mainstream and “safe” but this has much to do with having to be “marketable” and “accessible” in order for TV stations to want to spend money on airing their shows rather than just playing it safe themselves by simply airing more cookie cutter American or British sitcoms.
Trust me their are plenty of very unique and intellectual acts in SA, they just require a little more work to find as they don’t receive the same exposure, but this is only a matter of time. As audiences grow tired of yet another racial or politcial stereotype they will start looking for their personal favourites.
For example as much as I share your love intellectual and thought provoking comedy, I wouldn’t consider the acts that you recommended to be any of my favourites, but that is the personal aspect of a sense of humour.
As people start demanding better, smarter and more unique comedy, my hope is that the Television networks will meet these expectations by giving the intellectual and unique comedians of this country the exposure they deserve.
Its all just an evolutionary process, right now we’re stuck in the racial and political opinionist stage, but they again I thank all that is holy that we are clear of the barjoke stage where every joke has the same formula (still available at most poorly organised golf days of you ever want to suffer the ordeal).
My recommendation to you and any other “real” comedy lover would be to go to more underground events in your city and you will witness the vibrant pool of unique talent that is out there.
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
Marcel,
I purposefully conflated “comedy” with “political satire” because Gola makes no such distinction in his work and more importantly, what is the difference?
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
Aasia,
I judge anybody’s work on the basis that I have a brain. I don’t have to be Gola’s peer to have an opinion on comedy, as you seem to suggest.
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
KC,
Now now, condescension is no way to make new friends.
So now that I’ve heard from industry insiders, what do people who aren’t personally involved in comedy or eTV has to say?
zero
21 Jun 2011
who told sipho hlongwane that he could write? sifuna ukwazi
Aasia
21 Jun 2011
It’s not about being his peer, but that you research and understand the comedy scene in South Africa. You say you don’t watch them then how can you even talk about having an opinion. Which is what Warren said.
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
Aasia,
Actually, Warren invited me to consider that there’s a distinction between TV comedy and the “stand up comedy” scene which exists far away from broadcast executives. I accept that contention.
Also, Warren raises the budget issue which I concede I didn’t explore.
Aasia
(@) 21 Jun 2011
Then I am happy with that.
Cheslyn
21 Jun 2011
Sipho, you still have not adressed the fact that you don’t watch the show yet you are slating the show.
I think it is one the the better shows aired on e-tv.
Hope they get a third season.
diego
21 Jun 2011
if you dont watch the show(LNN), how did you find out about the riaad moosa clip? dumb fnck
Rant of the day
21 Jun 2011
Not the most well thought out argument I have ever read. Are Jon Stewart and the South Park creators even stand-up comics? If so, do you know if they write their own material?
As others have stated, South African TV is heavily censored and operates on miniscule budgets. While comedy is always going to be subjective, and at times, hit and miss, to label our comics as poor is a bit unfair.
Now if we compared South African bloggers or columnists to foreign writers, I know of at least one who is certainly never going to be a Hunter S. Thompson…
Nelson de Gouveia
21 Jun 2011
Sorry I’m not in South Africa to displease you, Sipho, I lost my Permanent Residence permit when I moved to London to learn HOW to be a comedian. I’ll try to come back again though and disappoint you.
loyiso gola
21 Jun 2011
I THINK YOUR OPINION PIECE IS WELL THOUGHT OUT, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. YOU WERE THERE WITH DAVID KAU AT THE BAXTER WHEN HE WAS PLAYING TO 12 PEOPLE EVERY NIGHT AS A STUDENT IN 2001 TO SELLING OUT A 5000 SEATER TEN YEARS LATER. YOU WERE THERE WHEN WAS WHEN HE WAS CULTIVATING AN AUDIENCE. OH YEAH I REMEMBER SEEING YOU EVERYDAY ON THE SET OF PURE MONATE SHOW WHEN DAVID KAU AND KAGISO LEDIGA INTRODUCED THE MASSES TO STAND UP COMEDY.
YOUR EXPERTISE ON THIS SUBJECT ARE SPOT ON, THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO TUNE IN EVERY WEDNESDAY TO WATCH LNN ARE MORONS AND THE E NEWS CHANNEL ARE CRAZY FOR GIVING US A THIRD SEASON IN SEPTEMBER. 10000 PEOPLE WERE CRAZY TO BUY TICKETS TO TREVOR NOAH’S TOUR. 6000 PEOPLE INSIDE THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL LONDON ARE MAD TO PAY 60 POUNDS TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICAN ACTS. YOUR OPINION IS WELL RESEARCHED.
ALL THOSE YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS IN HIGH SCHOOL FROM ALL RACES WHO COME UP TO ME ON THE STREET TO TELL ME THEY WANT TO DO STAND UP COMEDY BECAUSE THEY SAW ME DO IT. I MUST TELL THEM THEY ARE DELUSIONAL.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS TO ME AND I WILL TRY VERY HARD TO TO IMPRESS YOU. HOW DARE SOUTH SOUTH AFRICA LAUGH AT THEMSELVES!
Dark Horse
21 Jun 2011
You are a tool – loyiso is a comedy genius. His repotoire extends beyond the you’re white and I’m black comedy. If you’re wondering where all the good comedians are – most of them are not on TV. Loyiso being the obvious execption. As stated – on air comedy and stand up are LIFE TIMES away from eachother.
Loyiso is his own man but still needs to cater, to some degree, to the masses because he is on national TV. If you ever get the opportunity to see him perform live, I honestly think it would blow your mind wide open.
Tracy Klass
21 Jun 2011
Interesting article. I would like you to come and see Tracy Klass in Klass Struggle currently on at On Broadway directed by Riaad Moosa. A different brand of stand up.
I find media support of comedy, particularly in Cape Town completely pathetic. We don’t even have daily listings. I have heard people still talking about the Comedy Warehouse and that was over 10 years ago. The more we educate comedy audiences the easier a comic’s job is. I have often stood on stage an made comments about what has happened in the news that day to be greeted by blank stares.
Lowest common denominator comedy is belittling to both the audience and the performer.
Sipho
21 Jun 2011
At last, someone who puts real effort into their insults.
Alyn Adams
21 Jun 2011
- If you want to see the cutting-edge SA comedy, get to more live comedy venues. You won’t find it among the TV-famous names because
- SA TV is not going to give you a Daily Show or a South Park for many years to come. The ‘edgy’, ‘alternative’ viewership simply isn’t big enough to justify private production based on ad revenues. So any TV comedy that is produced is funded by individual channels, who generally err on the side of conservativism when it comes to controversial topics. Under the censorship that exists, LNN actually didn’t do a bad job – the shows around election time were especially good.
- If you respect John Vlismas, you might do him the courtesy of spelling his name right…
- For someone whose own writing isn’t particularly polished, original or amusing, you certainly have some self-assured opinions.
Alyn Adams
(@) 22 Jun 2011
Warren Robertson said most of that a lot better here: http://indiecomedy.blogspot.com/2011/06/sipho-slips-up.html
Alyn Adams
21 Jun 2011
And anyone who needs to ask “what’s the difference?” between comedy and political satire should probably refrain from discussing either until he finds out…
Bianca Clarke
21 Jun 2011
Fuck yes Gino! Sayin it like it is
The man is a fucking tool box and has no concept of what country he’s living in or the constraints put onto comedians / comedy writers on SA TV stations. Loyiso started his comedy career in stand up and eventually made it to TV.
There are many fine comics in SA (including yourself, Loyiso, Tracy Klass, Mr. John Vlismas) that just happen to not be on TV – and ignorant fools like this columnist makes naieve comments i.e. “where are all the good comedians”… on LNN… and where are all the other good comedians?
They’re doing stand-up, Sipho…
You ignorant, uncultured doos…
Anthony
22 Jun 2011
WOW! You Wednesday night pub comedians are quite a organised millitant bunch! Must say, I do not find most SA comedians funny ( Corne and Twakkie – WTF? ), but I suppose that is subjective – however CAPSLOCK Loyiso’s (if it is indeed him) argument that numbers make something good is flawed. If that were the case then the SPUR would sell the best food in SA and Morkels the best furniture. Appealing to Lowest Common Denomenator – Free to Air- viewers is worthy of a Noddy badge at most.
Alyn Adams
(@) 22 Jun 2011
And you don't understand how local television comedy is produced and funded. This might help: http://indiecomedy.blogspot.com/2011/06/sipho-slips-up.html
Capslock's arguments may be suspect, but the consensus that Sipho can't judge SA comedy until he's actually seen some of it in its natural habitat is one he might want to take seriously, if he's interested in actually learning something...
silverstreak
22 Jun 2011
The comment by Gino Fernandez with the phrase: “shut the fuck up you coconut fuck..” has been trashed. Please keep your comments insightful, intelligent, and respectful. If you feel like indulging in borderline racism, you’re probably better off not reading this site. Thanks, Streak.
Marcel
22 Jun 2011
This may have been one of those posts that could have done with Seth’s intervention as editor.
Sipho takes pot-shots at an industry which is an almost perfect example of professionals who “live the holiday”. He bases his opinion of South African comedy on a free-to-air TV station programme instead of going to watch and support live comedy performances. Does that sound like a typical 2OV reader?
Sipho’s not doing 2OceansVibe any favours – particularly when there are at least 2 pro stand-up comics in the form of Rob van Vuuren & Martin Evans hosting a show on 2OV.fm (plus Richard Hardiman who, although he dabbles in stand-up, is pretty funny too…).
That’s not saying that the South African stand-up comedy industry is perfect, but how exactly is he supporting it when he knocks it (based on a single TV show) and then starts “collecting every single Top Gear, South Park and Daily Show with Jon Stewart DVD that [he] can lay [his] hands on.” Surely 2OV is about supporting local talent?
May I suggest that we hear it “from the horse’s mouth” and get Martin & Rob to interview Sipho on the Drive Time Robbery?
Anon
22 Jun 2011
Wondering and checking up on this blog site regularly to see if John Vlismas replies to this post? Cant wait to read HIS comments.
Steve Rybinski
22 Jun 2011
Sipho = pwned.
Steve
22 Jun 2011
I agree. SA comedy is sub par. I have a database full of international stand ups. They’re funnier. period.
Peter Sserwanga
22 Jun 2011
I think Sipho is being misunderstood.
You guys don’t get what he was trying to say.
So because of this I have taken the liberty of re-writing this article …translated to what he actually meant to say.
http://solidgame.co.za/21/where-are-all-the-good-comedians-the-translation/
Guido
22 Jun 2011
Just my two worthless cents.
I don’t pretend to know anything about South African comedy; I am Italian and as some of you may know comedians by our shores don’t know who or what to start making fun of first, material is endless.
I do think though that comedy and political satire (or rather any kind of seemingly negative overview on a particular topic) go hand in hand, especially in our day and time where humor’s standards ,and not only those, are being continually challenged and tweaked as to shock or gently lead whoever is listening in observing what is going on with themselves and more importantly around them; even if for the duration of that short set ,up on the stage or in TV or wherever.
Having said that , South Africa has a numerous amount of real issues/comedy material just waiting to be unveiled and that the button pushing is nearly not enough when looking at the level of censorship in this country; relatively small when compared to ,say Italy and more often than not it tends to be repetitive and one-tracked. Just because you persevere does not make you automatically good at something after a certain time limit. People being recognized for just getting around and doing their stuff seems to be the norm, but that is another story.
I do not wish for this to be seen as an attack of any kind on anyone mentioned but I do not think Mr Gola is particularly funny; I have often watched his show (mind you that is all I have seen apart from a few other snippets here and there) a few others ( I must say younger) viewers I happened to be with while watching LNN seemed to find him hilariously sharp and controversial. Others (mid 20′s like myself) agreed with me ; we just don’t see it.
Now, that is the kind of unbiased and most of all relatively ignorant audience which a comedian should strive to win over or at least draw influences from their positive response. Seems to be working for some crowds but maybe it lacks some depth .
I am guilty of labeling Trevor Noah as the “Cell C” guy not really having known his work and thinking less of him through his “sold out” status. When I watched “Daywalker” I had to acknowledge the talent.
Funny, controversial, and with great pace.
So much so I heard a routine of his in another ,not nearly as funny, show from a CT so-called up and coming comedy artist. (Has no one else noticed?)
Stirred the pot just right here and there (yes maybe he could do more of that) and also touched on a few things which left me thinking and is that not a great plus for a comedian?
Jeff
(@) 24 Jun 2011
Before you mention Mr Cell C and someone stealing jokes from him, it could be the other way round. He does also have a bad reputation of stealing material too http://letterdash.com/ComedyCritic/trevor-noah-31-Mar-2010
Paul
22 Jun 2011
I love this kind of banter. Nothing is more personal than what makes us laugh. We might as well be fighting over what our favorite color is. But lets be honest if the the comedians would remove their gloves like the political cartoonists did their may well be some repercussions. Ask Zaipiro how much fun it was having a deformation charge laid against him by our president. I think anybody who has made a career out of standing up and trying to make south africans laugh deserves any success that comes their way.
Bee
23 Jun 2011
Steve Hofmeyer. That is all.
Bheki
25 Jun 2011
I had no ideas so may Wednesday night ‘comics’ had access to the internet. Who would have thought? I mean at R50 a night, it would be very difficult to afford broadband.
Sipho is spot on. Comedy in South Africa is mediocre at best. If you are worried about offending either the well mannered audience or the advertisers, then maybe a career in shelf stacking at Pick ‘n Pay might be an alternative for you.
Tero
18 Jan 2012
Dude who put a hot potato up ur bum?
Jon Stewart and loyiso Gola deliver their Jokes pretty much the same, Sure Stewart is a better comic, but all the other comics u mentioned….
They are hilarious maybe if you cleaned your ears more often, danced for life more, or Pray that God give u a proper funny bone(cause it seems like the one you have does not work that well that is if you do have one) you would get the jokes.
And to What’s his face, The joke bou’ the president hitting people on the forehead with his PIMP stick is hilarious i’m laughing just thinkin bout it you are Just a Trevor hater you suck!!!
Oh one more thing Sipho i think you should change your name to Syfo, and immigrate to the U.S cause you C…(rooster) riding american comedians, and just admit that you nothing but a little jealous boy!
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