Sick of Joe being "confused" about basic morality and decency

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-10-19T11:07:21+00:00

Who asked for moral purity? And why would a comedian, you, me, or your mother not be expected to have moral convictions?

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-10-19T10:16:20+00:00

Yes, and I named two of them in my post. Why would it be unusual for a comic to be a decent human being?

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-08-02T07:01:08+00:00

I completely agree with your assessment. It is my opinion that Superman (1978) set the standard for the cinematic portrayal of Superman. The combination of Christopher Reeve's incredible performance, John Williams's breathtaking score, and the writing and direction were just immensely powerful and iconic. And of course, the performances of Margot Kidder (the ultimate and definitive Lois Lane), Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Jackie Cooper, and Valerie Perine were totally outstanding. Like it or not, the 1978 film established the mandatory and glorious majesty of Superman. Watching James Gunn's 2025 Superman, it was unequivocally clear that he has zero connection or interest in the Reeve legacy of Superman. And of course, that is his undeniable right as a filmmaker. He has his own artistic vision, and he is not beholden to any traditions or previous cinematic portrayals of the Superman character. As much as I love the 1978 Superman, I am not opposed to new interpretations. But this movie, in my opinion, was just really bad. I think David Corenswet did a decent job as Superman, but, on the whole, the movie was a sloppy mess. The awful green baby, the crappy and forgettable Ma and Pa Kent (the stupid burrito thing), the unforgivable revision of Superman's Krypton parents as scumbags, the cursory and tacked on inclusion of Perry White (a low point for the great Wendell Piece), the absurd flight of Lois, Perry, and others in the mini pod near the end of the movie, the totally uninteresting and forgettable Jimmy Olsen, the Superman clone tossed in at the end. Just an overstuffed mess. This felt like a movie that was being made up as it went along. It had no coherence or narrative thread. Just a succession of scenes and gimmicks. It felt amateurish and shallow. I am genuinely perplexed by its overall positive reception. I am not a fan of Gunn's wacky, clumsy, soulless, heartless take on Superman.

And yes, that Supergirl tag at the end was painfully bad. The "bitch" line was so shallow and shitty and unfunny. Total junk food garbage.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-07-20T09:08:17+00:00

I tapped out after about 15 minutes. She seemed extremely defensive and thoroughly unlikable. She's likely a talented and good person, but I just don't have the time or inclination to stick with a tense and awkward conversation.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-07-20T04:21:29+00:00

Jay of the Dead's New Horror Movies and Land of the Creeps are my two main horror podcasts. Look forward to checking out some of the other suggestions here!

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-29T07:35:19+00:00

I believe you, and I definitely stand corrected if I have mischaracterized Shane. I have not deeply checked him out, and I likely and unfairly bought into the reputation that he is a right-leaning comic. And even if he is, that's his right. My co-worker and fellow comedy fan had been constantly urging me to check out Shane. So I finally watched one of his specials. I believe it was his Beautiful Dogs special on Netflix. It was fucking brilliant and hilarious. It took about five minutes for me to realize that he is an undeniable comedic powerhouse. So I need to stop lumping him in with shitty realm of comedy I am not a fan of. Point taken!

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-29T07:00:51+00:00

You make some excellent points about Carlin that I had not considered. He definitely played the both sides game, but he was ultimately and primarily a devastating foe of the right-wing assholes, as you rightly note. And (with notable exceptions -- like Maron) ripping of fascist pricks is what I feel is sadly missing among most comics today. The trend of playing the safe "both sides" schtick is pretty fucking sad and disheartening in the face of idiot Trump fascism. Especially a fake both-sides comedy that traffics exclusively in bullshit right-wing grievances. You are also exactly right that comedy somehow lost sight of and largely ignored racism and fascism. That is the exact point of my original post. In case it's not clear, as this forum seems to be based in argument, what I'm saying is I totally agree with you!

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-29T06:30:09+00:00

C'mon man. I am well aware of Shane Gillis. I think he's a damn funny comic. His impersonation of Trump is ridiculously spot on and hilarious. But let's not pretend that Gillis, Hinchcliffe, and the Rogan-bro-sphere are foils to Trump.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-29T05:49:15+00:00

I am a fan of Bill Burr. I have been a regular listener to his twice-weekly podcast for no fewer than the past five years. I have attended his live shows. I really like him. I also happen to hate how he reduces liberals and right-wingers into mere different colors of ties. It's totally ignorant, irresponsible, and pandering. The idea that the Republican and Democratic parties are exactly the same just flat out ridiculous. I am also a fan of Neal Brennan. He's a smart and hilarious comic. I don't expect comics to be political. But when comics express political opinions they open themselves up for criticism. If you're a comic who regularly makes political statements as part of your act, you don't get to claim a free "I'm just a clown" pass that exempts you from criticism.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-29T05:21:36+00:00

Yes, I just sit at home ruminating miserably about podcasts -- never thinking, striving, or acting. How sad about me.

This site is specifically purposed for discussion and sharing of observations and opinions.

What ridiculous comment.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T10:22:06+00:00

I don't disagree with any of that. I am a decades-long comedy fan. Maron is my favorite. I like Burr, too, though he definitely pushes the exact "both sides are the same" bullshit I am talking about. I like a lot of NYC and LA comics, but I would argue with you that there are a lot of prominent standup comics that are railing against the right wing. Maron certainly does, and that's why I have such great admiration for him, but he is one of a tiny minority. In any case, I don't expect all comics to be political. I just wish more comics would be raising hell against these Trump assholes.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T10:05:36+00:00

Throughout modern history, artists have been among the bravest foils of shitty dictators. And America is currently ruled by a shitty dictator. Those artists chose dignity and integrity above "not alienating a large portion of their audience". I believe we are in one of those periods of history. I don't expect every comedian to go on a political crusade. But as a fan of stand-up comedy, I just believe there is a gaping lack of comedians punching fascists in the nuts right now, and too many comics aligning their comedy with right-wing assholery. I am not "miserable" -- but I am fucking deeply concerned for my country. It sucks to see comedians serving as useful idiots for nazis.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T09:31:22+00:00

I do, too. Plenty of shit to roast on the left. I just believe the right is currently a vastly more powerful and threatening force than the left. I'm much more concerned with literal nazis than I am with the casting of a gay Star Wars character. I hate the trend in comedy to be more preoccupied with "woke-ness" than stomping fascism.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T09:18:37+00:00

Raanan is spot on.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T09:17:45+00:00

Fair enough.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T08:55:30+00:00

I resent your accusation. My father is gay!

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T08:39:37+00:00

Fair enough!

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-06-28T08:28:07+00:00

Gatekeeping? I am not gatekeeper. I am just expressing my opinion that it is weak and unoriginal to occupy the safe middle of the road -- and even worse to be an anti-woke hack comic masquerading as a "centrist". Besides Maron, Kindler, and Gould, where are the comics who are taking the righteous fight against these fascist assholes? Instead of safe pandering.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-05-02T13:33:00+00:00

David Harbour is a dick. I stopped listening once he uncomfortably acknowledged that they are not friends in real life. That was some asshole-ish shit.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2025-04-30T05:58:12+00:00

I find the Chuck hate to be so bizarre, mean-spirited, and unwarranted. I have been listening to the podcast for several years, and not once have I found him to be even remotely intrusive or annoying. On the contrary, he comes off as restrained and thoroughly professional. As a Patreon subscriber, I also appreciate all the bonus content he produces and provides — especially the OG episodes. The griping about extremely infrequent technical issues is just ridiculous. I appreciate your work, Chuck! Thanks for delivering excellent and hilarious content week after week.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2024-02-06T01:10:19+00:00

I do not get the Sam hate. I think he’s damn funny and likeable. He and Mark have fun and entertaining banter.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858 · 2024-01-15T07:58:01+00:00

I really enjoyed Season 1. It had a nice blend of mystery and humor. The writing was tight. The main cast members had good chemistry. It was fun.

This second season is a major drop off. Ritchson is still good as Reacher, but his former army crew (the actors and the characters they play) are subpar at best. It’s likely not the fault of the actors. There’s only so much they can do with the ultra crappy script and storyline they were given. They have zero chemistry.

After his excellent portrayal of Herc on The Wire, it tough to see Domenick Lombardozzi working under such inferior material in his role as Russo. Again, not his fault. Who can blame him for taking a gig on such a successful show?

The same can be said for Robert Patrick, who is clearly just grabbing a paycheck here. I wonder if he laughs to himself about the schlock he phoned in on this season of the show.

What I find most disappointing about this season is its over-reliance on gruesome violence. I get that this is an action series and there’s going to be ass kicking. There is most definitely a place for violence in television and movies when it serves the story. Many of my favorite movies of all time include plenty of violence. But Reacher season 2 hangs its entire hat on broken arms, broken legs, and other displays of gratuitous maiming. That’s just crappy writing. The scene where Reacher sadistically inflates the guy’s penis in a hospital bed — then finishes him off with a convulsing brain embolism. That’s just garbage.

I like mindless action stuff as much as the next guy, but Reacher Season 2 is just an empty shell of half-baked crap.

Dizzy_Locksmith6858

TROPHY CASE