# Holy crap, that guy's unfunny - but everyone else loves him! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659 "2008-12-18T00:20:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/1 "2008-12-18T00:20:44Z")
Who do you just think is horrifically unfunny to the point of not even cracking an occasional smile at that the rest of the civilized world just loves to death? My main two are: - David Sedaris. After hearing from friends how hilarious he was and reading Amazon reviews that said stuff like, “whatever you do, don’t read this in public because you’ll be weeping with laughter,” I read all of _Naked_ and _Barrel Fever_ and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I didn’t laugh or chuckle even once. As far as I’m concerned, the guy simply isn’t a humorist. - The Zero Punctuation guy that everyone loves. Holy crap is this stuff unfunny, and somehow the whole readeverythingasquicklyaspossible approach actually makes it less funny. It doesn’t sound like incisive barbs and snark, but a nervous fifth-grader trying to read a report to a class. Again, I think I chuckled once in listening to about 10 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/2 "2008-12-18T00:26:23Z")
I find Ricky Gervais and Larry David entirely unfunny, but I don’t think it’s personal - I’m just not amused by the whole jerk-gets-bitten-in-the-ass schtick that seemed to be the sole repeating plotline of _Extras_ and _Curb Your Enthusiasm_. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/3 "2008-12-18T00:33:09Z")
I thought this thread might have been about Dane Cook. Or Sara Silverman. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/4 "2008-12-18T00:34:41Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I find Ricky Gervais and Larry David entirely unfunny, but I don’t think it’s personal - I’m just not amused by the whole jerk-gets-bitten-in-the-ass schtick that seemed to be the sole repeating plotline of _Extras_ and _Curb Your Enthusiasm_. Check out the recent standup special that Ricky Gervais did. [Try this bit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJU86d_0Bgg) which is part of a larger routine where he talks about how when he was a kid they used to tell stories to his class to teach moral lessons. I find George Carlin to not be very funny. Angry, yes. Funny, no. He stopped being funny sometime around 1983. I also never got the love for Sam Kinneson. And while once upon a time Sarah Silverman was funny, that was a while ago. She hasn’t been funny since she got famous. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/5 "2008-12-18T00:35:22Z")
I am in agreement with the OP on David Sedaris to almost exactly the same degree I am in disagreement with him on Zero Punctuation. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/6 "2008-12-18T00:36:27Z")
> [@hobscrk777](#): > > I thought this thread might have been about Dane Cook. > > Or Sara Silverman. I like both of them. I don’t like Seinfeld, though. I never got it. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/7 "2008-12-18T00:36:34Z")
I’m not sure if anybody actually thinks Conan Obrien is funny, but he’s been on the air for a long time so I imagine somebody must. I find him to be a virtual _black hole_ of funny. It’s like he sucks any and all humor out of any environment he’s in and jettisons it to some dark dimension. There are comedians - like Dane Cook - who I absolutely abhor but can kind of understand why some people like him. The appeal of Conan Obrien completely and utterly mystifies me. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/8 "2008-12-18T00:38:56Z")
Dane Cook Carlos Mencia Will Farrell Jay Leno whoever makes those JibJab political cartoons Tina Fey Terry Pratchett (sorry, Discworld is decent but not particularly funny. I’ve read 5 or 6 of them and maybe giggled twice.) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/9 "2008-12-18T00:41:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Dane Cook > Carlos Mencia > Will Farrell > Jay Leno > whoever makes those JibJab political cartoons > Tina Fey > Terry Pratchett (sorry, Discworld is decent but not particularly funny. I’ve read 5 or 6 of them and maybe giggled twice.) I came in here to post Carlos Mencia, and seeing Jay Leno on you list reminded me that I can’t stand him too. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/10 "2008-12-18T00:48:03Z")
Terry Pratchett annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/11 "2008-12-18T00:51:11Z")
Ben Stiller Whoever does Family Guy, that whole show is just not funny. Sasha Baron Cohen ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/12 "2008-12-18T01:03:04Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Carlos Mencia Actually, I can’t say I’ve ever met one person who thinks Carlos Mencia is funny. And I’ve asked a _lot_ of people. BTW-- check [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5SWgbIw9kE) video. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/13 "2008-12-18T01:07:52Z")
I think Mencia is funny. He’s not my favorite comedian in the world, but when I watch his stand ups I laugh quite often; although I can see why a lot of people think he is not funny in the least. Seinfeld is the tops on my list. I love his stand up, but I watch that show and I don’t think I have ever even cracked a smile. Ben Stiller- Not funny at all. He plays one character in EVERY FREAKIN MOVIE. The one exception is Zoolander (and kinda Tropic Thunder too) ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/14 "2008-12-18T01:13:22Z")
I can’t stand Robin Williams. Or Carrot Top (though he’s another guy that no one thinks is funny, yet has a thriving career). ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/15 "2008-12-18T01:18:05Z")
Jay Leno, but so very much more so Vince Vaughn. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/16 "2008-12-18T01:20:03Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Check out the recent standup special that Ricky Gervais did. > > [Try this bit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJU86d_0Bgg) which is part of a larger routine where he talks about how when he was a kid they used to tell stories to his class to teach moral lessons. Does nothing for me except make me lose patience at around 2:45. I supppose some of the other segments will be better if/when I get around to them. ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/17 "2008-12-18T01:20:49Z")
Wow, only 13 posts in and everyone I came in here to mention has already been mentioned. Especially Dane Cook–I’m so glad it’s not just me. David Sedaris’ sister Amy is nothing to write home about either. _Strangers With Candy_ was absolutely painful to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/18 "2008-12-18T01:41:25Z")
Oh yeah, and of course it goes without saying that Larry the Cable Guy is a fucking worthless shitty “comedian” who has absolutely no talent. Oh yeah, and he’s a [fraud](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIWO5LgUZ28&feature=related) who plays to redneck ignorance. Fuck Larry the Cable Guy. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/19 "2008-12-18T01:45:49Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Seinfeld is the tops on my list. I love his stand up, but I watch that show and I don’t think I have ever even cracked a smile. I had the opposite experience – his standup is pedestrian and bland, but the show _Seinfeld_ sometimes achieved comic genius. Who the hell is the “Zero Punctuation” guy? Never heard of that. Never found Martin Lawrence funny. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659/20 "2008-12-18T01:49:17Z")
I can’t think of the name, but it’s that comedian who always wears black and talks about his therapy/bad life/whatever. He was pretty big in the 90’s, but I haven’t heard much from him (mercifully!) since. Last I saw of him, he was on _Curb Your Enthusiasm_. God, he SUCKS! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-crap-that-guys-unfunny-but-everyone-else-loves-him/477659.md?page=2)