The Uncomfortable Art of Edgy Humor

The recent episode of Saturday Night Live where Michael Che delivered a cringe-worthy joke about molestation at the hands of the late Michael Jackson was more than just a shocking moment of bad taste. It was a clever exercise in context, one that highlights the delicate balance between offensiveness and humor. By making Che read a joke he hadn’t seen before, his co-anchor Colin Jost effectively turned the audience’s discomfort into the punchline.

This stunt is part of a long-standing tradition between the two men, where they take turns writing jokes for each other to deliver without prior knowledge. It’s an act of one-upmanship that has become a hallmark of their decade-long partnership on SNL. The goal is not just to shock or offend but to create a sense of tension and discomfort that becomes the joke itself.

The beauty of this tradition lies in its subtlety. Rather than relying on cheap shocks or current events as a crutch, Jost and Che’s jokes are built on a deep understanding of each other’s quirks and vulnerabilities. They’re not just trying to be edgy for the sake of it; they’re playing off their genuine affection for each other.

This approach stands in stark contrast to the Netflix roast of Kevin Hart, which was marked by its mean-spiritedness and lack of genuine camaraderie between the comedians involved. The difference is telling – while the Netflix roast felt like a showcase of who could be the most callous and edgy, Jost and Che’s joke swap is an exercise in mutual respect and trust.

The context in which they deliver their jokes is also crucial. By giving the audience permission to laugh at something they know is wrong, Jost and Che create a sense of shared complicity that becomes a key part of the joke. This requires a deep understanding of human psychology and social dynamics – one that not all comedians possess.

The implications of this approach are far-reaching. In an era where humor has become increasingly polarized and mean-spirited, Jost and Che’s example offers a welcome respite from the usual suspects. It suggests that even in the most uncomfortable moments, there is a way to find humor – as long as it’s built on genuine affection and respect.

This tradition is not unique to SNL or even to comedy as a whole. Great comedians like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy have practiced this art for decades. The key is to understand that humor is often about more than just the punchline; it’s about creating a sense of shared experience and complicity with your audience.

However, not all comedians have been successful in navigating the fine line between humor and offensiveness. Recent events like the Netflix roast of Kevin Hart demonstrate a disturbing trend towards mean-spiritedness and a lack of genuine camaraderie. This approach to comedy may be tempting for those looking to shock or offend their audiences, but it’s ultimately a dead-end street.

By relying on cheap shocks and current events, comedians sacrifice their integrity and creativity in favor of a quick laugh. In contrast, Jost and Che’s tradition is an exercise in subtlety and nuance – one that requires a deep understanding of human psychology and social dynamics.

As we move forward into an uncertain future for comedy, it’s worth paying close attention to the lessons offered by Jost and Che’s joke swap. Will others follow their lead, or will they opt for a more confrontational approach? The art of edgy humor has never been more complex or nuanced.

The success of this tradition lies in its ability to balance humor with genuine affection and respect. In an era where comedy has become increasingly polarized and mean-spirited, Jost and Che’s example offers a welcome respite from the usual suspects. As we move forward into a future marked by uncertainty and division, their joke swap stands as a testament to the power of context and creativity in comedy.

The joke is on us – and it’s one that requires us to confront our own vulnerabilities and quirks head-on. Will we rise to the challenge, or will we opt for a more shallow approach to humor? The choice is ours – but one thing is certain: Jost and Che’s tradition has set the bar high for what comedy can be in 2023.