# The 40-Year-Old Virgin is supposed to be a comedy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 4, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025 "2013-11-04T03:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/21 "2013-11-04T15:52:01Z")
I bet you don’t have Facebook either. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/22 "2013-11-04T15:58:01Z")
I felt that way about Knocked Up. . . not funny, too long and boring. But 40YOV is funny to me, really just the Cal and David interactions and the Indians at the store. Hilarious. Cal: You know how I know you’re gay? David: How? Cal: I saw you make a spinach dip in a loaf of sourdough bread once. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/23 "2013-11-04T16:14:02Z")
“What is she gonna think when she comes in here? He’s got a billion toys.” “So what?” “And more video games than a teenaged Asian kid.” “Okay.” “Is that the Six Million Dollar Man’s _boss?_” “That is Oscar Goldman.” “WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT?” “That’s worth a lot of money. That’s much more valuable than Steve Austin.” "Well, that may be the case. " ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/24 "2013-11-04T16:19:47Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I never saw it when it came out in 2005. > > People told me it was funny. > > I’m watching it now (uncensored) on TV. > > It’s not funny. It’s not funny at all. This might be funny if I was 13. Probably not though. > > Now I know why I don’t watch many movies. I’ll level with you, Leaffan, I haven’t found anything Steve Carell did funny, ever. To me he just piggybacks off of old material to a different audience, and the backs of more talented people. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/25 "2013-11-04T16:22:19Z")
I thought it was surprisingly sweet, tho I normally hate romcoms with the fire of a thousand suns. And some of it is funny. I like the Indian guy, he always makes me laugh. [heavy Indian accent] “I will get my knife from my boot…” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/26 "2013-11-04T16:22:29Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > I look forward to your future threads “Is ‘Paranormal Activity’ supposed to be scary?” and “Is ‘Mary Poppins’ really a musical?” “Is Cum-Gargling Ass Bangers #17 pornographic?” ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/27 "2013-11-04T16:26:49Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > …You know how I know you’re gay?.. Because you macramed yourself a pair of jean shorts. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/28 "2013-11-04T16:33:24Z")
> [@AnthonyElite](#): > > I’ll level with you, Leaffan, I haven’t found anything Steve Carell did funny, ever. To me he just piggybacks off of old material to a different audience, and the backs of more talented people. > > I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. Surprisingly to me, I thought _Get Smart_ was really funny, but of course that doesn’t get out from under the “old material” charge. I also liked him in _Dinner for Schmucks_, although you can argue with some validity that he’s just playing Jerry Lewis. > [@Anaamika](#): > > I thought it was surprisingly sweet, tho I normally hate romcoms with the fire of a thousand suns. And some of it is funny. I like the Indian guy, he always makes me laugh. > > [heavy Indian accent] “I will get my knife from my boot…” Wow, the writers were on to something there, weren’t they? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/29 "2013-11-04T16:33:57Z")
My only complaint about the movie was the end, when he sells all his toys and opens an electronics store. Seemed a no-brainer that he should have opened a toy store. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/30 "2013-11-04T16:44:57Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > My only complaint about the movie was the end, when he sells all his toys and opens an electronics store. > > Seemed a no-brainer that he should have opened a toy store. I don’t know, wouldn’t that be like a drug abuser opening a pot dispensary? I find the movie to be hilarious though a bit on the long side, which is always a weakness in Apatow movies. But I do think it has a lot of great bits in it that still make me laugh. Perhaps the subject matter just hits too close to home for many Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/31 "2013-11-04T16:55:18Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Perhaps the subject matter just hits too close to home for many Dopers. OK, that’s a low blow. If you don’t like 40YOV you just might be a 40YOV? I don’t know. But, I do expect that movie was not funny to actual 40 year-old virgins. We’ll have to do a poll. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/32 "2013-11-04T17:03:09Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > OK, that’s a low blow. If you don’t like 40YOV you just might be a 40YOV? I don’t know. > > But, I do expect that movie was not funny to actual 40 year-old virgins. We’ll have to do a poll. I don’t know about that. I went into the movie thinking he was going to be the object of ridicule but I found a surprisingly well rounded and likable character. His friends might not have been virgins but he was the best adjusted of the bunch. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/33 "2013-11-04T17:29:44Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > OK, that’s a low blow. If you don’t like 40YOV you just might be a 40YOV? I don’t know. > > But, I do expect that movie was not funny to actual 40 year-old virgins. We’ll have to do a poll. > [@Loach](#): > > I don’t know about that. I went into the movie thinking he was going to be the object of ridicule but I found a surprisingly well rounded and likable character. His friends might not have been virgins but he was the best adjusted of the bunch. I’m not a 40-year-old virgin, but I was a late bloomer romantically and sexually, and I (a) identified at least a little with the Steve Carrell character (moreso than with any of his buddies), and (b) thought the movie was funny. And I agree with **Loach** : Carrell’s character had his issues, but all of his friends had issues of their own and weren’t really any healthier than he was. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/34 "2013-11-04T18:01:38Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Wow, the writers were on to something there, weren’t they? I didn’t catch your drift for a second, then I remembered that that actor did something horrible , didn’t he? : googles : Oh right, stabbed his girlfriend some crazy amount of times. And then claimed he thought it was someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/35 "2013-11-04T18:08:04Z")
I thougth it was sweet and funny. Loved the speed dating and drunk virgin. Kat Denning was cute and every word out of her mouth was not a single entendre like on her TV show. The guy from Weeds telling Kevin Hart to “Aim high, Willis!”-- that whole exchange. I am wondering if we have Paul Rudd to blame for Mindy Kahling thinking she’s way cuter than she really is. P.S. It isn’t the old Indian guy who tried to kill his girlfriend but the younger Indian co-worker-- the one who smoked. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/36 "2013-11-04T18:17:28Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “Is Cum-Gargling Ass Bangers #17 pornographic?” You know how I know you’re gay? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/37 "2013-11-04T18:33:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I don’t know about that. I went into the movie thinking he was going to be the object of ridicule but I found a surprisingly well rounded and likable character. His friends might not have been virgins but he was the best adjusted of the bunch. “Yeah, well, _virgin_’s not a dirty word. You know what’s a dirty word, is _asshole,_ and that’s what you guys are. Y’know, I may not have had sex, but I could fuck you _up_.” ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/38 "2013-11-04T18:42:30Z")
I enjoyed the movie a lot. That other people didn’t find it funny is expected, especially since there’s plenty stuff out there most people find hilarious that I don’t. That said, I think a lot of the people who don’t find it funny are probably missing the key point. I sort of expected it to be a bunch of juvenile humor about how funny it is that a guy that old is a virgin, but ultimately we find out that all of the guys who are obsessed with getting him laid are considerable more messed up. Seth Rogen’s character is a stoner horndog who will have sex with anything. Romany Malco is playing a guy who is WAY overcompensating for his lack of self-confidence. Paul Rudd is the heart-broken creepy guy. All Steve Carrell’s character is is a little naive and he enjoys some hobbies that society generally looks down on, like video games, and he actually seems fairly content with his life; he’s only unhappy once he starts experiencing peer pressure to get laid. I found the chest waxing scene to be fairly funny. I thought the speed dating scene was pretty funny. My favorite scene was the one where Jay’s girlfriend finds out he went to the speed dating and comes in and asks Andy if he said all these obnoxious things like “hurtin’ for a squirtin’” and “ho fo’ sho’”. I think it serves well as a comedy because it is exploring the whole obsession our society has with sex, particularly the idea that a man’s masculinity is tied to his sexual conquests; Andy was the most happy to start with despite doing so many stereotypically unmanly things. So, in the end, everyone ends up happier when they reach a point between Andy and one of their even more ridiculous extremes. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/39 "2013-11-04T19:05:37Z")
The “bags of sand” line still makes me crack up. I thought it was a fantastically funny movie myself. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025/40 "2013-11-04T19:42:35Z")
Leaffan, you started this thread, aren’t you going to comment in it? Or was this just a drive by posting? Give us an example of movies you think are funny; so that we might better understand your need to come in here and rag on a move that’s almost a decade old. BTW, I liked it. A lot. However, like tullsterx said… I just did not get what was supposed to be so good about Knocked Up (and more recently, This is 40; which I coudn’t even sit through.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-40-year-old-virgin-is-supposed-to-be-a-comedy/673025.md?page=3)