"The Aristocrats" is *IN* theaters???

[underpants]

I was running an errand this weekend and saw "The Aristocrats" on a theater sign. I had read about it here on DU but I wasn't aware that it was actually being shown in theaters. BTW- hard for me to believe but that "joke" was new to me.

I am not aghast or offended by it I just don't understand why someone would pay X dollars to sit in a theater to watch the same joke told over and over and over. I also have no CLUE why a theater owner (chain) would show that seeing as how anyone could anticipate a whole lot of people wanting their money back for both the repetition as well as those who are going to be completely appalled by the content. Again I am not making a judgment (I will surely see it at some point) I am just placing the general public in that setting and stating the predictable outcome.

[jane_pippin]

1. I just saw it on Sunday, actually.

I loved it but I think a lot of the people in the audience were put off. Maybe they didn't expect it to be as filthy as it is. I don't know why they wouldn't think that...

Anyway, it is the "same" joke but it's about more than that. It's about how comedians interpret a joke, how a joke is constructed, how that construction changes the meaning of the joke and what a certain construction signifies. It's also about the delivery of jokes and the journey a comedian can take you on simply by using pauses and inflections. Sure, on one level it's about one-upping the gross-out factor, but on another it's absolutely about the art of writing and creating a story.

edit: spellin'

[underpants]

4. Oh yes for sure

I understand that. The difference in how it is told is what it is about I just don't think (not looking down my nose either) that most people are as interested in the craft of story telling and how it is possible to get to the same point from different paths as I am. I love the spokeN word and how it can be used-that is of interest to me but a cinematic release?

[jane_pippin]

7. Eh, I think it's about time a film like that was in theaters

though I see your point about why it might seem odd that it's there.

I read most of the threads here about comedians, (you know, for example, the "Bill Maher Rules!" followed by "Bill Maher is a SELLOUT" the next week, or something goofy like that.), and it always makes me think that as a nation we could do well to understand a little more about the craft of comedy. Movies about musicians, actors, writers, and visual artists are in theaters all the time so why not this one.

As I was watching it, it made me think of what it might have been like to be in an arthouse theater when John Waters first started making movies. Totally filthy, not for the weak stomached, not for the masses, but still there's something to it.

[jpgray]

2. I don't see what the big controversy is--seems family friendly enough

:shrug:

[Midlodemocrat]

3. It looks positively revolting to me.

I can't imagine going to see that. That's what makes it a great big world, I guess.

[underpants]

6. I can't imagine GOING either

I will watch it at home though. The content is very revolting but that is apparently the point.

[Fleshdancer]

5. It's hilarious!

It's basically a documentary with a lot of comedians talking about the joke and telling their version of it. The funniest part was Bob Saget...watching the wholesome dad from Full House tell a joke more disgusting than any other comedian was priceless.

[DarienComp]

8. The joke is retold a different way with each comedian.

and as far as the public is concerned, as my grandpa used to say, "Fuck 'em, if they can't take a joke."

:evilgrin: