Puerto Rico’s Governor Says Island’s Debts Are ‘Not Payable’

[celedhring]

A lot of his jokes are telegraphed from a mile away, and a lot are forced, but I find him to be one of the most informative comedy talk show anchors out there. His pieces - at least to me - are very well built and researched, and told in a very entertaining manner. I personally like him a lot and I can certainly look past half a dozen "THIS IS LIKE..." jokes too many.

[crazy canuck]

You don't enjoy weird comparisons and country in the wrong place gags? 

I don't enjoy underwritten, oversold punch lines.  No matter how meh the line is he always delivers it at 11.

you seem to be in the minority.

[Jacob]

You don't enjoy weird comparisons and country in the wrong place gags? 

I don't enjoy underwritten, oversold punch lines.  No matter how meh the line is he always delivers it at 11.

you seem to be in the minority.

I generally agree with Yi on this. I mean, ideologically I think John Oliver is pretty right on and some of his stuff is clever (and it's generally well researched)... but overall, I think the delivery is delivered at 11 a little too consistently to be funny.

[crazy canuck]

You don't enjoy weird comparisons and country in the wrong place gags? 

I don't enjoy underwritten, oversold punch lines.  No matter how meh the line is he always delivers it at 11.

you seem to be in the minority.

I generally agree with Yi on this. I mean, ideologically I think John Oliver is pretty right on and some of his stuff is clever (and it's generally well researched)... but overall, I think the delivery is delivered at 11 a little too consistently to be funny.

Meh, Monty Python and Benny Hill  and Stewart are examples good comedy that established and then followed the same format.  If you and Yi were the majority view Oliver wouldn't be on the air. 

[Eddie Teach]

Benny Hill maybe, but Monty Python could do subtlety. As could Jon Stewart.

[crazy canuck]

Benny Hill maybe, but Monty Python could do subtlety. As could Jon Stewart.

In world where Trump could be President, I don't think we should be worrying about being subtle.

[frunk]

Benny Hill maybe, but Monty Python could do subtlety. As could Jon Stewart.

In world where Trump could be President, I don't think we should be worrying about being subtle.

I think they were talking about Oliver's comedic qualities, not his political ones.  I don't think who might be president will necessarily change the type of humor that I enjoy.

[crazy canuck]

Benny Hill maybe, but Monty Python could do subtlety. As could Jon Stewart.

In world where Trump could be President, I don't think we should be worrying about being subtle.

I think they were talking about Oliver's comedic qualities, not his political ones.  I don't think who might be president will necessarily change the type of humor that I enjoy.

Sure, and the criticism is that he does the same schtick.  He follows a long successful tradition in that regard.

If the complaint is that his schtick is not subtle enough, I simply say that is a good reflection of today's world.

[frunk]

Sure, and the criticism is that he does the same schtick.  He follows a long successful tradition in that regard.

If the complaint is that his schtick is not subtle enough, I simply say that is a good reflection of today's world.

The criticism is that his punchlines aren't very funny and playing them up doesn't make them funnier.  His show is better researched and more informative than most news programs, the asides are pretty good, but the buildups and jokes don't land.  Saying that it reflects the world doesn't make it better, it just means the world is a sadder place.

[Admiral Yi]

Benny Hill maybe, but Monty Python could do subtlety. As could Jon Stewart.

Benny Hill was a master of the sotto voce winking off color punch line.

[Eddie Teach]

I'll take your word. Never seen his show myself.

[crazy canuck]

I'll take your word. Never seen his show myself.

Its a classic.  But a good example of the same schtick used over and over again.

[jimmy olsen]

So, the governor says the island will default Monday. Thanks for nothing Congress. 

The island's population has already fell 9% since 2000, NYC and Miami better start building more housing because that's going to be matched in the next 5 years after this catastrophe.

[Eddie Teach]

So, the governor says the island will default Monday. Thanks for nothing Congress. 

The island's population has already fell 9% since 2000, NYC and Miami better start building more housing because that's going to be matched in the next 5 years after this catastrophe.

Why build houses in Miami if they're just gonna sink under the ocean in 20 years?

[The Brain]

So, the governor says the island will default Monday. Thanks for nothing Congress. 

The island's population has already fell 9% since 2000, NYC and Miami better start building more housing because that's going to be matched in the next 5 years after this catastrophe.

Why build houses in Miami if they're just gonna sink under the ocean in 20 years?

Quiet!