Right wing humor site that's actually funny. That's not a joke.

July 4, 2007 11:45 AM

Who says right-wingers can't be funny? Eco Enquirer fights the good bad anti-environmentalist fight with humor, wit and verve. Stories include Penguins "Fed Up" With Media Attention, Is Earth 'Spinning Out of Control'?, Court Orders Fisherman to Apologize to Eagle, Levitating Islands in Bermuda Triangle Observed by Spy Satellite and many others.
posted by Kattullus (53 comments total)

NOPE!
posted by basicchannel at 11:54 AM on July 4, 2007

Just what the world needs, another reason for people to think the environmetal crisis is overplayed. Pretty fuckin irresponsible I'd say.
posted by Liquidwolf at 11:56 AM on July 4, 2007

wow, I'm sorry to have to add to the chorus of "not funny", but this stuff was really trite, simple gags. And this coming from someone who absolutely believes right-wingers can be funny.
posted by jonson at 11:59 AM on July 4, 2007

More proof that The Right can only be laughed AT not WITH.
posted by Liquidwolf at 12:04 PM on July 4, 2007

I'll remain open to the possibility of right-wing humor, but this? Oy. Even trying to laugh I couldn't. Sorry.
posted by argybarg at 12:05 PM on July 4, 2007

Kind of like the Onion, minus the humor.
posted by 2sheets at 12:06 PM on July 4, 2007

The Onion makes fun of all sides, even though it clearly leans heavily liberal. Conservative humor always mocks just the opposition.

Also, this is painfully unfunny.
posted by ORthey at 12:09 PM on July 4, 2007 [2 favorites]

Yesterday we sat down and watched some of the episodes of the 1952 Superman TV show, with George Reeves. It was uncomfortable watching the scene in the pilot where Jor-El tried to convince the politicians of Krypton that the planet was getting hotter and soon everyone would die, only to be rejected and roundly mocked.
posted by EarBucket at 12:10 PM on July 4, 2007 [2 favorites]

I do.
posted by Flunkie at 12:11 PM on July 4, 2007

I don't know what's worse: being tasteless, or unfunny.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:11 PM on July 4, 2007

The best part is how they didn't even get the flat-toned, inverted-pyramid wire-service style right. They teach high-achieving gibbons to do this even in the weakest of community college journalism programs.
posted by gompa at 12:12 PM on July 4, 2007 [5 favorites]

Well, of course they do, but come on, you can't really compete with high achieving gibbons.
posted by eurasian at 12:16 PM on July 4, 2007

The Onion makes fun of all sides

By way of recent example:

"This American Life Completes Documentation of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence."
posted by gompa at 12:18 PM on July 4, 2007 [3 favorites]

And while we're at it, this is what "actually funny" ecologically themed satire looks like.
posted by gompa at 12:20 PM on July 4, 2007

Right wing humor can be funny, but only when it satisfied two criteria:

1. it targets minorities, the incapacitated, the poor and the disenfranchised.
2. You do not belong to any of those groups.

Hey, pretty much just like right wing policies!
posted by psmealey at 12:25 PM on July 4, 2007

As I was about to hit post a soft voice in my head said: "This will not end well." But my blithe disregard for the little angel that sits on my shoulder made me hit post.
posted by Kattullus at 12:26 PM on July 4, 2007

scientists discover penguins adapt well to global warming
posted by pyramid termite at 12:27 PM on July 4, 2007

As I was about to hit post a soft voice in my head said: "This will not end well."

Was it a cartoon angel wearing a sash that read "Critical Faculties"? Because you should totally listen to that voice next time.
posted by gompa at 12:29 PM on July 4, 2007 [5 favorites]

I don't think it's a bad post Kattallus, I just think that way you framed it was misleading. You set the expectation that it was going to be funny. It was not. As a general rule humor, regardless of political bent, should be funny.
posted by psmealey at 12:31 PM on July 4, 2007 [3 favorites]

This is actually a fairly typical example of right-wing humor, .i.e,


Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

A: Because he's a Canadian chicken and is fleeing the godless Communism of socalized healthcare for more innovative, free-market solutions here in the United States.

I have a theory: right-wingers are actually America's version of Europe's "revolutionary communists". I'm not talking about European socalists or anything, I'm talking about the Italian Red Brigade or Baader-Meinhof.

Dour and humorless, they care only for the sucess of the Cause and the destruction of their enemies. They've never laughed at something that didn't somehow involve the downfall of their enemies. They've never smiled at anything that didn't, in some way, benefit the Cause.

They refuse to consider the slightest possibility that they might be wrong, and violently castigate as "traitors" any amongst their rank who might have second thoughts.

Maybe it's not a conincidence that they're called "Red States"?
posted by Avenger at 12:37 PM on July 4, 2007 [5 favorites]

The only right-wing humor site that's any good is Iowahawk. Biting, but very hit-or-miss.
posted by dw at 12:46 PM on July 4, 2007

Well, I thought it was funny. I usually find this kind of stuff somewhat south of being repeatedly kicked in the shins by a hyper-active 4-year-old in terms of pleasantness, so I was amazed that I laughed at the jokes. I don't think it's all funny, but I laughed at enough of it to think it was worthy of being posted. I figured if a lefty Northern European environmentalist like myself found it amusing, then it was safe for MetaFilter. Live and learn.
posted by Kattullus at 12:49 PM on July 4, 2007

I know you think that we'd all find this funny if only Metafilter weren't a den of closed-minded liberals, but the fact of the matter is that any humor that tries to satisfy any goal other than "be funny" is going to fall flat for a lot of people.

The closed-minded liberal in me wants to say that the literal definition of "conservative" defies humor, since humor is found in the fresh and the unexpected and unexplored. He also wants to say that things are funniest when they have an element of truth in them. The "This American Life" article falls into this category.

Also, I have yet to see "conservative humor" that isn't specifically meant to hurt others. The Daily Show attacks individuals, sure, but they usually just give them the rope and let them hang themselves. And a lot of their humor is just pointing out the absurd. Conservative college alternative newspapers usually seem to have "hurt the most vulnerable" written in to their mission statements.
posted by Skwirl at 12:49 PM on July 4, 2007 [6 favorites]

Catastrophic success!
posted by phoque at 12:50 PM on July 4, 2007 [2 favorites]

Skwirl, if conservative college newspapers don't step up to the plate to hurt the most vulnerable, who will?! Who will?!?!?
posted by eurasian at 1:00 PM on July 4, 2007

What is comedy? It's tragedy plus time.
posted by KokuRyu at 1:04 PM on July 4, 2007

Conservative college alternative newspapers usually seem to have "hurt the most vulnerable" written in to their mission statements.

It's practice for when they get into politics and can start inflicting physical pain and suffering instead of emotional pain and suffering.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:06 PM on July 4, 2007

Who says right-wingers can't be funny?
Anyone who has watched Fox's 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour!
posted by horsemuth at 1:33 PM on July 4, 2007

Gompa earns one cool point. You can redeem it for prizes at the service desk.
posted by JHarris at 1:34 PM on July 4, 2007

Conservative != right wing. I don't believe there are any funny conservatives, but I reckon South Park often qualifies as successful right-wing humor.
posted by hoverboards don't work on water at 1:35 PM on July 4, 2007

Wow, so the "humor, wit and verve" was not dripping with sarcasm?
Well, I choose to imbue it with such.
posted by mrnutty at 1:40 PM on July 4, 2007

Most comedians are machines: They go for the laugh, period. They'll take it wherever they can find it. And there's something to that: Comedy is best when it's unbound, can travel anywhere and stab whatever it wants. Binding it to an agenda beforehand kills it.

If there ever were a truly left-wing comedy show or website -- and no, the Daily Show does not count -- I'd probably hate that, too. Who laughs along with doctrine?
posted by argybarg at 1:55 PM on July 4, 2007

South Park often qualifies as successful right-wing humor.

Was it Andrew Sullivan that coined the phrase "South Park Republican"? I forget. I still don't see it, though. It's true that the show frequently targets hippies, self-satisfied bourgeois consumers of "green" products and the so-called Hollywood elites, it's often more brutal on overprotective parents, general religious idiocy and heartless Republicans (mostly embodied by Cartman).
posted by psmealey at 1:57 PM on July 4, 2007

Conservative college alternative newspapers usually seem to have "hurt the most vulnerable" written in to their mission statements.

It's not until they get a bit older that they learn that they first have to create the illusion that the most vulnerable are actually in power, and then can they tear them down at will without appearing like little hatemongers.

It's such an awkward stage. Cute, but awkward.
posted by psmealey at 2:00 PM on July 4, 2007

I doubt you can ever find a joke funny if it attacks your opinions?
posted by JeNeSaisQuoi at 2:15 PM on July 4, 2007

I always thought "South Park Republican" was cooked up in some think tank in an effort to claim some part of popular culture as "conservative."

I thought it quite telling that they'd choose a show rooted entirely in self-involved nihilism (funny though it may be).
posted by uri at 2:23 PM on July 4, 2007

"I doubt you can ever find a joke funny if it attacks your opinions?"
Maybe in your world, but I think I enjoy laughing at things that poke fun at people like me, maybe because of the familiarity.
As someone who lives on the west coast and is unashamedly liberal I know first hand what it's like to be around stereotypical vegan earth mother trustafarian types and the David Crosses, Patton Oswalts, and the South Parks out there sometimes bring me to tears when they skewer them.
posted by 2sheets at 2:37 PM on July 4, 2007

It's far funnier when they're totally serious.
posted by Tehanu at 2:55 PM on July 4, 2007

I don't believe there are any funny conservatives

Mike Nelson.
posted by Snyder at 3:02 PM on July 4, 2007

South Park is neither conservative nor right wing. Their political opinion boils down to "you're stupid, shut up", and it doesn't matter who "you" is.
posted by Flunkie at 3:19 PM on July 4, 2007

I vote for South Park as being an example of successful 'conservative humour,' but no one can be funny for very long if they adhere to some sort of political ideology.

I'm often struck by the compassion and inclusiveness of the South Park universe. Where else on mainstream television are there gay characters? Or African-American characters? Or people that are physically handicapped?
posted by KokuRyu at 3:35 PM on July 4, 2007

2sheets,
If it is not your opinion that you are free from flaws, someone who makes fun of your flaws is not necessarily making fun of your opinions.
posted by JeNeSaisQuoi at 3:36 PM on July 4, 2007

Snyder: Mike Nelson is conservative?

Like conservative in what way? Protesting in front of abortion clinic conservative or just votes Republican conservative?
posted by Avenger at 3:52 PM on July 4, 2007

Flunkie writes 'South Park is neither conservative nor right wing. Their political opinion boils down to "you're stupid, shut up", and it doesn't matter who "you" is.'

Disagree. It's both. And I also disagree that it doesn't matter who 'you' is. South Park is the right wing equivalent of left-liberal satirists who, very occasionally, will poke a little fun at someone on their own side in order to try and avoid the accusation of partisanship, while the overwhelming bulk of their ire is aimed at their opponents.

Sure, they trade on that adolescent PJ O'Rourke style love of sex, drugs and rock and roll in an attempt to differentiate themselves from someone like Bob Hope, but in their dark heart of hearts, they're the real inheriters of his mantle, out there, entertaining the troops and supporting the status quo.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:10 PM on July 4, 2007

And fwiw, I think it's very funny, but compassionate and inclusive? Sorry, I don't see it.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:11 PM on July 4, 2007

I think right wingers can be funny. Have none of you seen Stephen Colbert?

*crickets chirping*
posted by salishsea at 4:26 PM on July 4, 2007

South Park is more libertarian than conservative. Parker and Stone have pretty much said so.
posted by dw at 5:40 PM on July 4, 2007

A South Park Republican is nonsense. The modern Republican Party is too narrow.

How can someone who shares their view that religions are essentially stupid and gay rights are important get a place in the modern Republican party? Surely Matt Parker and Stone are pro-choice and believe in evolution. Can you be a Republican like that any more?

There is good right wing humor though. PJ ORourke really does have his moments. Mind you, someone who wrote 'How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed
and Not Spill Your Drink' Is probably also no longer welcome in the Republican party. The British Spectator magazine is also, on occasion, very funny.
posted by sien at 5:54 PM on July 4, 2007

Hey, since we're on this topic again, lookee what I found: The America Show, Part 4!!1
posted by bicyclefish at 6:50 PM on July 4, 2007

Avenger, I've heard it rumored before, but the talks about his politics a bit in this interview, namely Q33 and Q54. He doesn't really get into particular beliefs tho.
posted by Snyder at 6:54 PM on July 4, 2007

Whoaaaa..... I had no idea he was that far-right (Mike Nelson, I mean). Interesting. That seems kinda weird with what MST3K was (or seems to have been), as part of the "silly-America" he describes.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 11:37 PM on July 4, 2007

I think this is what Mike was referencing, not so much comedy but political silliness, I guess. I don't agree with Hewitt, but again, Mike Nelson isn't overly specific. Which is good. He knows his job is to be funny, and not proselytize. Also, check out this. (Namely, Q3.) I think the big difference , between someone like Mike and the South Park guys or whoever does the stuff in the link, is that Mike doesn't feel the need to burble about his politics as if his thoughts were intrinsically interesting or profound. He has his opinions, but doesn't feel the need to shout them from the rooftops.
posted by Snyder at 12:58 AM on July 5, 2007

That america show was seriously disturbing. It really seemed like they were mentally ill. I know it was meant as a joke, but they seemed to think the joke was that some people do not think there are authoritarian religious voices in your head and so we don't need the constitution dumbos... I am honestly at a loss how to read it from their side.
posted by mdn at 12:47 PM on July 5, 2007