Comedy Has Higher Requirements Than it Used to Have

The only requirement for comedy used to be it had to be funny. Those days are apparently over according to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune:

“Armisen’s skit passed the first test of comedy: It was funny. But was it true? Was it fact-based? And did it make a point worth making? There’s a thin line between truth and a cheap shot, especially in politics.”

This, of course, refers to the SNL Obama skit already fact-checked by CNN and Yahoo. I thought comedy's only test was whether it was funny. I don't remember any such scholarly examinations of the Tina Fey/Sarah Palin skits, or anything done poking fun at George W. Bush...or Republicans dating back to Gerald Ford who was lampooned by Chevy Chase in the 70's.

SNL is all about cheap shots, but it's funny how nobody cared until Obama was the target.

And if you watch the SNL piece, you'll notice that all the complaints about things not done have to do with wacky left priorities. There was nothing in the piece about skyrocketing unemployment, massive deficits, the failed stimulus, or the disaster that Cash for Clunkers is becoming. The SNL rant was a lefty temper tantrum, and other lefties are trying to fight it.

All in all, pretty hilarious.