The Evolution of Comedy

The documentary "American: The Bill Hicks Story" which focuses on the life and comedic career of Bill Hicks has recently been added to the Netflix instant cue, meaning that people will actually watch it now. Bill Hicks is ranked by numerous polls and websites as one of the top 10 comedians of all time, however many people who are casual spectators of stand up have no idea who he is. Since his death in 1994, the world and style of stand up has evolved into something completely different than it was when he was performing in the same era as Jay Leno, George Carlin, and Seinfeld. To anyone who is into the alternative and progressive modern comedy scene, the material that Bill is saying in the movie is not funny or relevant, just like how George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" bit is no longer shocking or hilarious like our parents try and convince us.

Because the world's view on humor has changed so much, what was funny then is not quite as funny to us now. A perfect example is how every time someone recalls which cast of Saturday Night Live is their favorite, it is always specific to which cast was on when they were in their twenties. Personally, when I look back at the first few seasons of SNL staring the Steve Martin and John Belushi crowd, i do not find it anywhere near as funny as the current cast with Bill Hader, Will Forte, Jason Sudakus and Andy Samberg. Even looking back on the 90's all star cast of Adam Sandler, David Spade and Chris Farley, the material and writing seems childish, repetitive, and based on someone falling down at the end.

Humor is relevant, subjective, and constantly evolving. What is funny to us now will not be funny to our children or generations to come. Thirty years from now, we will be failing to explain to our kids why we loved watching Tosh.0 and why Mitch Hedberg was so damn brilliant. To put this into perspective, remember that William Shakespeare was thought to be the father of modern comedy at one time, while now he is the reason lonely high school kids cut themselves.

From the stand point of an up and coming comedian, the Bill Hicks Documentary was amazing. To be able to watch the material not in the same mindset as if i were watching a modern comedian, but to take into consideration when and where it was originally performed made the jokes seem artistic and beautiful in their own way. Plus, it is a brilliantly put together example of a common man who had a passion for comedy and drove himself to live his dreams at any cost, which was way more inspiring than the every Jennifer Aniston movie combined.