From: officialflagrant
The appreciation of standup comedy can vary significantly across generations, largely due to changing cultural contexts, comedic styles, and how audiences discover content [00:03:07]. Younger audiences, like comedian Ralph Barbosa (26 years old), often have a different perspective on established comedians compared to older generations, such as the host (39 years old) [00:02:08].
The George Lopez Example
A prominent example of this generational divide in comedy appreciation is the perception of George Lopez.
Ralph Barbosa’s Perspective
Ralph Barbosa states that he didn’t grow up watching George Lopez and didn’t “get it” even when he did see clips [00:02:17]. His initial response to being compared to George Lopez by audience members was often dismissive [00:01:29]. Barbosa found certain recurring phrases, like “Latinos, you know us,” to be “the corniest line in the world” [00:04:37]. He attributes this to not looking up to George Lopez [00:02:04] and the fact that he was only around three years old when The George Lopez Show aired and five or six when his special came out [00:05:23].
Historical Context and Pioneering Impact
The host explains that comedy needs the “context of time” [00:03:07]. For older generations, especially Mexicans, George Lopez’s early specials on HBO were groundbreaking [00:03:36]. He was one of the first comedians to openly relate and share comedic experiences specific to their cultural background, which was a unique and impactful moment for audiences [00:03:39]. This impact is compared to Russell Peters for Indian audiences, who similarly provided a relatable voice that had not been heard before in mainstream comedy [00:05:30].
However, younger audiences seeing these jokes decades later, after countless other comedians have explored similar themes, may find them less novel or even “simpler” [00:03:54].
“You’re watching it and you’ve seen all these jokes played out for 20 or 30 years by different people different versions so if you go back to it you go yo there’s better versions of all these takes” [00:03:54]
This dynamic is likened to young rap artists viewing “rap OGs” whose sound might seem simple compared to modern complexities, but was revolutionary at the time [00:05:01].
Discovery of Comedy and Influences
Generational differences also extend to how comedians discover and are influenced by standup comedy.
Ralph Barbosa primarily watched standup on Comedy Central, catching reruns or clips of comedians like Dave Chappelle and Patrice O’Neal [00:04:18]. His first exposure to standup as a format was Dave Chappelle’s Killing Them Softly special, which he initially saw because he was a fan of Chappelle’s Show [00:34:06].
The host, being older, was introduced to standup through Eddie Murphy on cassette with his dad [00:36:31]. His dad and friends would listen to Richard Pryor records at parties, treating them like music [00:36:40]. Chris Rock’s Bring the Pain special was particularly impactful for the host in his teens [00:37:09].
Comedian Interactions and Dynamics
The relationship between older and younger comedians can be complex. While older comedians may be admired, younger ones might be hesitant to seek advice due to fear of rejection or inconvenience [00:08:56]. Conversely, older comedians often appreciate validation from the next generation [00:09:09].
However, established comedians sometimes react negatively when others try to connect with them by bringing up younger, successful comedians [01:10:20]. They prefer to hear about their own comedic talent rather than being compared or introduced to “the next big thing” [01:14:26]. This is exemplified by:
- George Lopez’s comments about Ralph Barbosa: Lopez made a statement on a podcast about not helping younger comedians, specifically mentioning Ralph Barbosa’s name in a dismissive way [01:11:22]. He later called Ralph to apologize, explaining he was “in the heat of the moment” [00:07:25].
- Dave Chappelle’s reaction to Andrew Schulz: When Joe Rogan tried to highlight Andrew Schulz’s online success to Chappelle, Chappelle famously dismissed it, saying, “I don’t know about that slideshow [\h__\h]. I do stand-up comedy” [01:14:15].
This phenomenon suggests that veteran comedians, despite their success, can be sensitive to perceived competition or being displaced [01:13:13]. The importance of direct connection and respect, rather than perceived comparisons, is highlighted in these social dynamics among comedians.
The Evolving Landscape of Comedy Discovery
The internet, particularly platforms like YouTube and Don’t Tell Comedy, has become the “new Comedy Central” for discovering young talent [00:29:17]. This allows talented comedians to gain visibility much quicker than through traditional channels [00:41:12]. Ralph Barbosa acknowledges that without social media, he would not be on tour [00:41:00].
Despite its benefits, some comedians, especially older ones, are resistant to posting clips online [00:41:23]. However, the internet often allows genuinely funny people to rise, contrasting with some traditionally successful comedians who may not be considered as funny by their peers [00:41:30]. Online content also offers a “rawer” feeling compared to highly edited specials [00:42:00].