Stand-up comedy for ‘tweens: Does it exist?
June 22nd, 2008 by Treena ShapiroNews of George Carlin’s death reminded me of an ongoing discussion I’ve been having with my 12-year-old.
He’s been asking me which comedians he’s allowed to watch and, quite frankly, I always draw a blank. I don’t watch much stand-up and the comedians I am familiar with aren’t really appropriate for middle schoolers. I love Ricky Gervais’s stand-up, for example, but no way am I watching it with my son.
He tested me on Dane Cook, but a quick Google search put that option to rest.
I remember being his age and arguing with my dad over Eddie Murphy. When he wouldn’t let me buy his album, I borrowed a tape from my friend. My dad destroyed it — then had to buy a new copy for me to return.
Now that I have a 12-year-old of my own, I’m can empathize with my dad. It’s kind of funny, considering Eddie Murphy has remade himself as a family movie star and my 12-year-old thinks he’s too old for that stuff.
So, who’s clean and funny?
I’ve been amused by Infinite Solutions with Mark Erickson but I doubt that’s the kind of thing my son is looking for. In fact, I could see him trying to follow the tutorials and ending up frustrated rather than amused.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9SK_M_nVWA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
He’s more the type to appreciate Will Ferrell’s Pearl videos on Funny or Die but that’s hardly the kind of thing I want my son to watch. He might get even more ideas on how to train his 4-year-old sister.
My inability to find comedy for my son means that he watches episodes of “The Simpsons” over and over and over.
There has to be something else for him.
Any recommendations?
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 am
I once saw a comedy special with Sinbad (yes, the guy from A Different World). His act was clean, funny and it focused on him growing up as a child. I think it was an HBO special and you can sometimes catch it on reruns.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Bobby Hill, the awkward teen son on “King of the Hill,” wants to be a stand-up comedian and sometimes get to show off his talents.
If “The Simpsons” is already allowed, KOTH can be more subtle and mature, yet more biting than Homer, Bart and gang. It also offers an occasional lesson in life.
It’s not stand-up comedy per se, but it’s another show he may be able to connect with!
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Gabriel Iglesias is clean and funny and has had two Comedy Central specials.
So is Jeff Foxworthy of the Blue Collar comedy guys. He’s the cleanest of the lot.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
So…who’s clean and funny? There is only one sure answer: Your 12-year-old son.
With writing in his genes, the intellect to understand stand-up, and true potential being wasted(over and over) on The Simpsons, he’s ready to write his own.
I recommend “Comedy Writing Secrets” by Melvin Helitzer ( Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Borders) as a good place to start.
George Carlin would umm… appreciate that.
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
[…] my friend. My dad destroyed it — then had to buy a new copy for me to return. … Source: Stand-up comedy for ‘tweens: Does it exist? Who Would Be A Worse Mom? Paris or Lindsey? Vote Now And Get A Free iPhone. Eddie Murphy Used […]
June 25th, 2008 at 11:06 am
talk to his classmates parents..maybe even his teachers..they may have suggestions
July 10th, 2008 at 4:47 am
sold_jewels
[…] obsession is with the show Dirty Jobs on Discovery. Somehow, (and yes, we realize that we control what a 4 year old watches) we have ended up in the position of having to watch Mike Rowe handle cod sperm while eating our dinner. Not to […]
September 7th, 2008 at 5:59 am
hmyka qrkoxndi mfrnewpbk mqakz vknxud hvjexypda kblev