Visvaldis Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I’m interested to know how Americans and British living in France perceive French humor and what differences they notice. I’m especially interested to know what you think about witty, biting social and political satire in French media. Are comedians bold? Do taboos exist? What are they? Do the comments of humorists anger certain people and politicians?I have heard of the popular Coluche, but unfortunately, my knowledge of French lacks to understand his routines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 It's not just his French, but his delivery too...very difficult to hear for we non-French.I suspect this might be for a paper you have to write in your studies, so I will only bite so far as to indicate my general ideas..You could start by looking at the various coverage of the DSK affair in the satirical press such as "Canard Enchainé"I find a characteristic of French humour to be broader and often physical, relying on silly voices etc to get a laugh, but that is also a gross generalisation as there is another flat-faced cynical style.There is also less "auto dérision " in France and more supercilious mocking. for example this commentary on Amy Winehouse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrEarA2wfbI&feature=relatedHere is a clip to get you going http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsd92DHrUM4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D1UCZSdkU4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Something I find very strange - the French like Benny Hill, Mr. Bean and Monty Python. French comic programs like 'H' and sketches from the Canal plus S.A.V. team I find very childish. Coluche appealed to the masses and his humour (especially towards the end of his life) was rather political and controversial. Then you have humorists like the belgian Raymond Devos - very intellectual and always palying on words - you really have to have an excellent command of the French language to get him. So I suppose, like their music, the French have a wide variety of humour but not a lot of it appeals to me personally. This coming from someone who is very funny by the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 ....We don't find Tommy Cooper funny......not funny at all........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote user="TWINKLE"]... This coming from someone who is very funny by the way...[/quote]... and modest [;-)]xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickP Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote user="ericd"]....We don't find Tommy Cooper funny......not funny at all........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz[/quote]And your saying that, just like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Have recently watched a comedy called Gavin and Stacey. Didn't laugh once but cringed a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 No, I don't like G&S much either. Nor Benny Hill, nor Tommy Cooper for that matter. French humour can also be a bit broad for my taste - plus I think it's one of the toughest things to "get" in another language. I can make French people laugh OK, but I don't always get their jokes! But then we are all different, aren't we? I, for instance, have just discovered The Big Bang Theory. Clearly, this was not made for my generation but I can't remember having had such prolonged bouts of uncontrolable laughter for ages. Each to their own.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Best comedian in France for the moment is Gad el Malech and he is ever so slightly not altogether French! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 This guy?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAV5sJ3NyAQ&feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 As for American humour, the OP probably knows best, but I get the impression it's very much influenced by jewish humour. eg Woody Allen's style of rather bitter self-deprecation.for british, my favourites are (were) Pete and Dud.And I find french humour rather broad and slapstick. Out in the country where we are the height of humour is to tease the anglais about the dangerous creatures that supposedly lurk in the undergrowth.There was a tv programme last year where Marcus Brigstocke did a stand-up routine in Paris. At first he did his normal very verbal schtick, translated into french, and the audience didn't laugh. So he introduced some physical stuff ( Steve Martin style) and that went down better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote user="Patf"] Out in the country where we are the height of humour is to tease the anglais about the dangerous creatures that supposedly lurk in the undergrowth.[/quote] That's one of the funniest things I've heard for ages! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Florence Foresti is pretty incredible. Here as Madonna:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgCo1y2rjUI&feature=related If you still have some time, as Britney Spears:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zUUKrhNuJw&feature=related And, the cerise sur le gâteau, as Isabelle Adjani:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxr3F1p8xnU&feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"]This guy?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAV5sJ3NyAQ&feature=related[/quote] He is so funny, and I think his humour would translate into english and be as good in english. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visvaldis Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks for your responses.No paper for my studies, my college days are decades behind me. Actually, I plan (within 20 months) to relocate to France, probably in Tarn, maybe Albi.All my life I've appreciated strange humor and wondered how such is handled in France.Several months ago, by idling surfing through youtube, I discovered a few short segments of Monkey Dust. What I saw was excellent! That's the kind of strange things I like. I wonder how the average French person would react to Monkey Dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Albi is an excellent choice..very 'agréable à vivre' , a place I would happily consider if I were making the move afresh.As for MonkeyDust you would have to find an average French person to ask..The two or three we have posting on here are quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent) so are hardly representative [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"] .....The two or three we have posting on here are quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent) so are hardly representative [:P][/quote][:@]...Et moi alors ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 "probably in Tarn, maybe Albi"Ha, ha, ha!!! That's really funny!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 [quote user="ericd"][quote user="NormanH"] .....The two or three we have posting on here are quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent) so are hardly representative [:P][/quote][:@]...Et moi alors ???[/quote]Well you are posting on here, so obviously you know which category you fit in to.." quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent)".. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 Be careful Norman, you are starting to get too nice. [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 [quote user="Christine Animal"]Be careful Norman, you are starting to get too nice. [:P] [/quote]Yes, and a smiling, cheerful Victor Meldrew wouldn't be the same, would he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"][quote user="ericd"][quote user="NormanH"] .....The two or three we have posting on here are quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent) so are hardly representative [:P][/quote][:@]...Et moi alors ???[/quote]Well you are posting on here, so obviously you know which category you fit in to.." quite exceptionally talented (bilingual, intelligent, competent)"..[/quote]......That's me made up for the weekend !!! [B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I believe that, fortunately, Norman can never BE too nice - but he excels at tongue-in-cheek, mi-figue mi-raisin, statements. Isn't that so, Norman? [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 What do you mean 5E, I'm sure he was sincere!You're just jealous because you hadn't posted, so weren't included. Norman can you please now include 5E, she is bilingual, intelligent, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 She was included along with Claire and Frenchie.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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