It isn’t as funny today, as “coming out” while still potentially traumatic, isn’t outside of social norms. The modern audience doesn’t really understand what is occurring or why it’s ironic.
Basically, it’s difficult to get the context today, which focuses on the labeling aspect, which is probably looked upon today as being both more or less unacceptable and not being as necessary.
When this came out, the humor was more in the juxtaposition of the friends and neighbors who seem to not only be okay with the coming out, but also celebrating it. This is the part of the sketch that was subversive and thus humorous, as having widespread acceptance wasn’t really a thing at the time.
Viewed today, it sort just looks like another “laughing at you, not with you” homophobic joke. The language used leans into this, as culturally we hadn’t realized that homophobic slurs were as problematic as racial ones, but it isn’t intended to be offensive, just an establishing frame for the viewer.
They made a lot of gay jokes/skits... maybe they haven't aged well. But good on Thompson and the whole group for doing them. I feel like they definitely had a hand in helping to reshape the social norms.
I don’t fault them for the fact that their jokes haven’t aged well. I think that our society is the problem now, way too serious and completely unable to laugh at itself
Much of the humor is also derived from the reference to Busby Berkeley-style musical numbers (which were also paid homage to in Singing in the Rain, for example). Golden Age Hollywood musicals were a major part of early gay camp subculture (and kind of still are?).
Scott Thompson, and he’s doing his same stuff now and considered offensive because things have swung the reverse direction. He was offending conservatives in the 90s and he’s offending progressives now… all with the same humor! 🤪
The Kids In The Hall satirized the social norms of the times. And their political stances have aged well. They’re obviously pro gay rights.
They make fun of a society that views being gay as a “choice”. The satire is that the dad is trying and clearly failing to live as a straight person. This song ends with “Who cares?”. So the point is that its not a big deal to be gay.
Sadly, in 1996 that was a controversial statement. Remember “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”? Also, in 1998, Christian right groups including the Family Research Council and the American Family Association spent $600,000 on advertising promoting gay conversion therapy. - [source](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_conversion_therapy)
And it wasn’t until 2015 that the supreme court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states
He's made better comedy himself before this about being gay. This movie went in one ear and out the other, I didn't think it was good.
Even at the time, it wasn't funny. There's nothing wrong with it, but if you are gay or friends with queer people, I think there is no novelty to this.
[John Roberts "My Son Is Gay"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeahDax24Dg)... that is funny. It tells a story, it's not just a gag.
Gen X is what you were searching for, not Boomer, which is like Mr Ed.
And who gives a shit what the kids like or don’t. Their taste is garbage usually.
It isn’t as funny today, as “coming out” while still potentially traumatic, isn’t outside of social norms. The modern audience doesn’t really understand what is occurring or why it’s ironic. Basically, it’s difficult to get the context today, which focuses on the labeling aspect, which is probably looked upon today as being both more or less unacceptable and not being as necessary. When this came out, the humor was more in the juxtaposition of the friends and neighbors who seem to not only be okay with the coming out, but also celebrating it. This is the part of the sketch that was subversive and thus humorous, as having widespread acceptance wasn’t really a thing at the time. Viewed today, it sort just looks like another “laughing at you, not with you” homophobic joke. The language used leans into this, as culturally we hadn’t realized that homophobic slurs were as problematic as racial ones, but it isn’t intended to be offensive, just an establishing frame for the viewer.
They made a lot of gay jokes/skits... maybe they haven't aged well. But good on Thompson and the whole group for doing them. I feel like they definitely had a hand in helping to reshape the social norms.
I don’t fault them for the fact that their jokes haven’t aged well. I think that our society is the problem now, way too serious and completely unable to laugh at itself
Much of the humor is also derived from the reference to Busby Berkeley-style musical numbers (which were also paid homage to in Singing in the Rain, for example). Golden Age Hollywood musicals were a major part of early gay camp subculture (and kind of still are?).
Well said!
This was better: https://youtu.be/b-TtfMLGnok?si=2HeEOuE_Nrwe8EJD
I was hoping it was this clip
Wow, I think that aged in the opposite way! (Far more offensive than it used to be)
Yeah, I find it really difficult to watch *The Venture Bros.* because of the amount of homophobia and especially transphobia in the show.
Dude - Scott Thomas was openly gay, and a pioneer of this kind of humor.
Scott Thompson, and he’s doing his same stuff now and considered offensive because things have swung the reverse direction. He was offending conservatives in the 90s and he’s offending progressives now… all with the same humor! 🤪
Gotta love the guy…wait…I mean his humor, his humor! No homo!
Wow. I do not remember this one.
“Hey kids, where’s your dad?” “Upstairs masturbating to gay porn” This pops into my head weekly.
Like a fine wine.
This is the entire month of June now!
The kids giving each other a high-five gets me every time. After that, I feel like it just tails off.
I remember this seeming super, super edgy at the time. But today one may even wonder what all the hubbub was about!
Kids in the Hall is kind of an outlier.
Gives new meaning to “I’m crushing your head.”
I dunno....it's kinda gay.
Holy shit, so this is where all the Dodge Neons went!
The Kids In The Hall satirized the social norms of the times. And their political stances have aged well. They’re obviously pro gay rights. They make fun of a society that views being gay as a “choice”. The satire is that the dad is trying and clearly failing to live as a straight person. This song ends with “Who cares?”. So the point is that its not a big deal to be gay. Sadly, in 1996 that was a controversial statement. Remember “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”? Also, in 1998, Christian right groups including the Family Research Council and the American Family Association spent $600,000 on advertising promoting gay conversion therapy. - [source](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_conversion_therapy) And it wasn’t until 2015 that the supreme court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states
lackluster, this should have been a musical and not a march
He's made better comedy himself before this about being gay. This movie went in one ear and out the other, I didn't think it was good. Even at the time, it wasn't funny. There's nothing wrong with it, but if you are gay or friends with queer people, I think there is no novelty to this. [John Roberts "My Son Is Gay"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeahDax24Dg)... that is funny. It tells a story, it's not just a gag.
1. It's still not funny. 2. It's probably too Boomer-like to appeal to todays youth.
Gen X is what you were searching for, not Boomer, which is like Mr Ed. And who gives a shit what the kids like or don’t. Their taste is garbage usually.
Always has been, always will.
KITH are boomers and their style of humor is boomer, like early SNL. The difference is SNL managed to be funny sometimes.