What causes a comedian's career to hit the dumpster?

[Joe Rice]

For example?

The Andy Griffith Show was a prototypical trickster/liar comedy where one wise fool basically duped everyone around him all the time. Edgy stuff presented in unmean ways.

[curefreak]

For example?

i dont know if you can do edgey in a family friendly style that seems pretty contradictory but theres lots of edgey comedians who arent mean spirited like my favorite chris rock.

[curefreak]

The Andy Griffith Show was a prototypical trickster/liar comedy where one wise fool basically duped everyone around him all the time. Edgy stuff presented in unmean ways.

by that example seinfeld was sort of edgey for a sitcom but it was fairly family friendly if you didnt understand the code words.

[the_big_billbowski]

i dont understand why bill maher is considered funny maybe its just too mean spirited for my tastes.

i think comedians like most artists start to lose theyre edge when they hit a certain level of comfort and maturity.

for the record i hate bill maher, however, when he was first doing hbo half hour comedy specials when he first was making a name for himself he was really funny. i enjoyed his standup. once he did politically incorrect, after it moved from its' midnight time slot and moved to basically prime time on the networks, he got unfunny fast. i cant even stand to look at him now, but i would still watch is old stand up if it was ever on again.

[curefreak]

i usually agree with his politics i just cant help but think when did he stop being a comedian and become a political pundit?

[Dan Apodaca]

The Andy Griffith Show was a prototypical trickster/liar comedy where one wise fool basically duped everyone around him all the time. Edgy stuff presented in unmean ways.

The Andy Griffith Show is edgy?

I must have a different definition of edgy.

[Dan Apodaca]

i dont know if you can do edgey in a family friendly style that seems pretty contradictory but theres lots of edgey comedians who arent mean spirited like my favorite chris rock.

So, what does edgy mean and what does mean-spirited mean?

Chris Rock has done his fair share of mean-spirited stuff. Routines where he specifically talks about the kind of person he hates, and points out people in the audience as fitting that bill.

[Buzz Dixon]

Dan, the old DICK VAN DYKE SHOW did two great episodes on race back in a time when legal discrimination and segragation were still in effect and race relations were strained and touchy. They were done with style and class and a great deal of wit, but they were w-a-a-a-a-y out past the edge for the time.

For that matter, the (in)famous "Chuckles Bites The Dust" episode of THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW was the first sit-com to ever look at the absurdity often imbedded deep in tragedy.

[Dan Apodaca]

Alright, point conceded.

[StoneGold]

Dan, the old DICK VAN DYKE SHOW did two great episodes on race back in a time when legal discrimination and segragation were still in effect and race relations were strained and touchy. They were done with style and class and a great deal of wit, but they were w-a-a-a-a-y out past the edge for the time.

Yeah, but they also had a young Mary in tight pants.

[Ontir]

"Chuckles the Clown" is one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

[SAMAS]

"He went to the parade dressed as Peter Peanut, and a rogue elephant tried to shell him!"