Cerebral palsy isn't funny, but 14 year old kid w/ cerebral palsy is
April 24, 2013 2:29 PM   Subscribe

 
Love it when people don't let their disabilities get in their way.
Go Jack!
posted by AllChildrenMatter at 2:39 PM on April 24, 2013


"I'm not looking to help people in need, because I'm a horrible, selfish individual."

I like this kid. I really like this kid.
posted by Madamina at 2:41 PM on April 24, 2013 [16 favorites]


The kid was great, but good lord the production of that show is horrific.
posted by kmz at 2:56 PM on April 24, 2013 [2 favorites]


Puberty is going to do wonders for this kid's schtick.
posted by R. Schlock at 3:02 PM on April 24, 2013 [1 favorite]


God, I hate "oh look at the poor person with disabilities, look how inspirational they are" videos.

This, on the other hand, I love, because this guy is legitimately hilarious. Well done. Every joke landed.
posted by KathrynT at 3:21 PM on April 24, 2013 [1 favorite]


Uch, except for the judges' reactions. That'll teach me to post before I watch the video all the way through.
posted by KathrynT at 3:21 PM on April 24, 2013


Incredible that he could overcome that northern accent.
posted by crazylegs at 3:49 PM on April 24, 2013 [12 favorites]


Well, I had tears in my eyes watching that. Mostly, but not entirely, because that kid was so damn funny.
posted by vac2003 at 3:53 PM on April 24, 2013


Jack is a funny kid, and clearly with a ton of potential. His ad-lib about the standing ovation was terrific. I was put off by the shmaltzy production and the judges, but I have to admit, the "probably the best day of my life" right there at the end really did get me. As a big fan of comedy, I hope to see more of this guy in the future.
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 3:56 PM on April 24, 2013


Jack has cerebral palsy talent.
posted by I'm Doing the Dishes at 4:21 PM on April 24, 2013 [5 favorites]


Lordy but the child knows his craft. His timing is impeccable, his material is pitch-perfect, and what self-confidence for his age. And now I want to see him in something with Eddie Izzard. Something about two guys who just completely own everything about themselves. (Has such a piece of film or TV ever been produced?)
posted by gusandrews at 4:22 PM on April 24, 2013 [3 favorites]


Or maybe could we get Judd Apatow to write a show around him?
posted by gusandrews at 4:23 PM on April 24, 2013


Not very often do I see 14 year olds this cool...
posted by missriss89 at 4:41 PM on April 24, 2013


This kid is gonna be alright.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:36 PM on April 24, 2013


I wish that they had talked about his talent - timing, delivery, wit - rather than his "personality". He isn't funny because of his personality, he's funny because he's talented.
posted by jb at 7:02 PM on April 24, 2013 [5 favorites]


Of course, a New Zealander has climbed that mountain already.
posted by arzakh at 7:54 PM on April 24, 2013 [1 favorite]


Judge: Jack, you made me laugh before the act even started, and --

Jack: I know, I've gotta funny face...

Judge: (horrified look) No, no --
posted by PercussivePaul at 7:57 PM on April 24, 2013 [2 favorites]


I wish that they had talked about his talent - timing, delivery, wit - rather than his "personality". He isn't funny because of his personality, he's funny because he's talented.

Well to be fair, I think it can be a little bit of both, but I do wish they would have spoken specifically to how skillful he is as well. Because the kid's got the stuff and he's really, genuinely good. But I guess they also have limited time to devote to these segments and they must be processed for optimal feel-goodery.

As I said in the other thread where this link showed up, I'd really like to know virtually anything more about what got him into stand up and if he has any comedians he's a big fan of, or just... anything in general. Unfortunately if those things were ever talked about in an interview it's all sort of gotten buried beneath all the usual entertainment news articles that have popped up around him.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 8:33 PM on April 24, 2013


Incredible that he could overcome that northern accent.

I like that his impression of his sister gives her a much thicker Northern accent. I'm finding this moment of code switching much more interesting than his cerebral palsy.

That being said, the "You know what I can't stand" joke is about a well-formed a joke as I have ever heard.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 9:01 PM on April 24, 2013 [2 favorites]


It's nice to see people respond positively to this. Although I wouldn't say the jokes are necessarily that original (speaking as someone who uses a chair, this sort of humor is actually pretty commonplace), they are rarely presented to such a wide audience by someone with such great delivery.
posted by thorny at 10:08 PM on April 24, 2013


I am also voting "meh" on the jokes. Nothing special, and I find the cuts to the judges and audience members forcing out huge guffaws and slapping their thighs to be kind of patronizing. But hey, whatever, comedy is subjective right?
posted by Meatbomb at 11:01 PM on April 24, 2013 [1 favorite]


Very few comedians appear on the show, because it's hard to establish your persona and act in the small amount of time they give you. Other ones who have done well have been impressionists, for example Paul Burling, where people absolutely know what they're getting as soon as the act starts.

Well done Jack, and I sincerely hope this is going to have some kind of happy ending.
posted by DanCall at 1:47 AM on April 25, 2013


Of course, a New Zealander has climbed that mountain already.

An American as well.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:06 AM on April 25, 2013 [1 favorite]


I really wanted to hear more and was annoyed when the cheesy music cut in. Looking forward to seeing more of this lad; he's brilliant.
posted by kinnakeet at 5:31 AM on April 25, 2013 [1 favorite]


Just read a follow-up interview with Jack, where he gets asked what it was like to make Simon Cowell laugh: “It was great, he’s got very white teeth! They show up ever so well, especially on television.” He also goes on to slash Simon with the other guy on the judge's panel.

this kid is awesome
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:32 AM on April 25, 2013


I was laughing - and I don't especially like standup and it wasn't forced. Maybe not the most original set, but the kid is fourteen. He's good.
posted by jb at 6:39 AM on April 25, 2013


Lordy but the child knows his craft. His timing is impeccable

His comment coming off stage about the standing ovation proves that. He has a comedy brain, plain and simple. I look forward to seeing more of his comedy in the future.
posted by e40 at 10:50 AM on April 27, 2013 [1 favorite]


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