Insights

Dangerously Funny

by Dan Rupple

"[He] helped push the culture forward into the light of open and honest expression. He went after the powerful people, to punctuate the pretentiousness and pomposity of the privileged." Who is this quote referencing? Is it Jesus and his incriminating commentary of the self-righteous religious power brokers? And who made this insightful comment? Is it the opinion of a culturally observant theologian? No, the writer is comedian George Carlin commenting on the controversial, iconic humorist Lenny Bruce.

In days of old, the court jesters had the sole opportunity to fearlessly and courageously share “reality” with the king. If anyone else in the kingdom dared to share an opposing or critical view with the King, his life would be in grave jeopardy. Today, in our political correct culture, where paranoia of offending abounds, this same dynamic applies. From Lenny Bruce to George Carlin, from Richard Pryor to Chris Rock, from Mort Sahl to Jon Stewart, Dennis Miller and Bill Maher; it’s the comedians who have the courage, as well as arguably the most effective vehicle, to proclaim their views and ideologies without restraint to a culture fearful of firm convictions. In fact, a recent study revealed that 20somethings primary source of news and political opinion came from TV comedians.

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Comedy Can't Escape Narrowcast Trend

by Dan Rupple
Television Week
February 6, 2006

I began the new semester of my Comedy Writing for Television class exactly the same way I had begun it every semester during the previous five years: Before attempting to tell my university students what I've learned from my 30 years in comedy, both in clubs and on network television, I ask three questions in an attempt to understand what they find funny. Throughout the years, the students have been surprisingly uniform in their responses.

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Why Aren’t We Laughing?

by Dan Rupple
NRB Magazine: TV Column
May 2005

"Why isn’t there more comedy on Christian television?" That’s the question that stood out for me at the “Future of Christian Television” workshop at NRB 2005 in Anaheim.

Having worked in the comedy field for 30 years, I was excited to hear the lively discussion that followed this question. The spirited banter validated what I have been hearing in many Christian circles – the cry for more comedy!

After the workshop, I thought of three areas that may be affecting why we as Christians are missing golden opportunities to infuse more laughter into our programming.

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