I watched the Stuart Lee clip this morning from the link on one of the other threads (how many are there btw?). I didn't particularly want to comment on Clarkson since I find myself with little to say. But it is now relevant to say this much; I don't find his 'intended to offend' remarks funny but neither am I offended. I recognise the character he's playing and I find it, in truth, a bit obvious and tedious. Anyone can pick on the fat kid, call your mother-in-law a slag. Get's a laugh because that's some peoples natural reaction to such remarks. Anyone can do it, most of us don't. For me, it's what else you might say in such remarks that makes them interesting. And Stuart Lee does exactly that, in a quite breathtaking way.
You need to understand that Stuart Lee is a true craftsman when it comes to comedy and every peice of what he says on stage is refined and refined until it's exactly how he intends it to be.
I'm glad you said that because I got the impression that there's a great deal going on in that sketch. It's disturbingly, flip-flop complex. One moment you think you have it, then the next you're not quite sure. This is the first time I've seen him solo. I've only ever seen him before on TV as part of a duo (I was saw him a Fall gig in Kentish Town too, but that's relevant here!) and, to be honest, I didn't think much. So seeing this clip, I had no idea of the guy's track record (
).
I got the impression that every single word and phrase (and its repetition) was considered and nuanced. He play's with the 'only a joke' concept and challenges you with it. Leaves you uncertain. Is it a joke? Is he joking? Yes, of course he is, he's a comedian. But maybe he's saying what he thinks? His whole act teases you with that question, and even plays with the entertainer/audience thing. I mean, it is only a joke isn't it?
And then there's the repetition. The 3 r's; repetition, repetition, repetition. Why does he hammer on the hamster? Why repeat the vision of his death? The blindness? Blinding Clarkson's daughters too. Is he daring you to be offended? Is he asking you to think about what is offensive?
Clarkson just delivers throwaway lines, designed to offend, and then backs away - just a joke he says. There is no thought beyond that. You can't make the same comment of Stuart Lee.
No, I entirely see his point. I understand it fully. The way he put it across, imo, makes him just as bad as what he is deploring.
I think you do and don't see the point to be honest.
