Americans and irony...who are we trying to fool?

Question

As long as anyone can remember, we have always been told Americans 'don't do irony'. Maybe the 'irony' Americans tend to hear from most British comics is the thuggish younger brother called sarcasm. Remember M*A*S*H many years ago, and stand-up comics like Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal and even (before he went into films) Eddie Murphy...and what about The Simpsons and Friends. And what about the parody mag called The Onion - would give Private Eye a run for its money. Relatives in Phila. told me years ago - there's a time a place for it, but also granda told me what would be appreciated in Philadelphia would be sneered at in, say, Boston. Could be irony requires more intelligence than the normal wham-bam joke humour. Americans may not appreciate it much - but when we see it on British telly, the viewing figures for the shows in question - Bremner Bird & Fortune etc. are not too grand. Truth is we Brits don't understand it too, do we?

Sorry, mJc...the question was basically for British eyes. But realised you also had the same thoughts as my granda in Phila. who realised what would have punters staring vacantly at the stage in that city would have them roaring in Boston (or vice versa).

Answer 1

Interesting because Simon Pegg (who wrote and co-stars in forthcoming flick Hot Fuzz) had an article in today's weekend Guardian magazine on exactly that topic. And he says we both get irony (and provided a pretty convincing argument). I have to say I agree with him.

Answer 2

take a show like The Office, the British version is very subtle, very ironic and you may never laugh out loud but there's a humour that you have to catch. Now take the American re-make of the same show, rewritten but with the same show themes but more slapstick, more obvious jokes and over-acting to portray the humourous element. It was rewritten for the American market since they wouldn't have 'got' the original one.

Answer 3

LOL!! The Onion, got the website on my My Yahoo page and love it but us Brits tend to see (or be fed) the commercial side of American humour which appeals to the masses and doesn't have the wit, irony or bite, ironically:-)

Answer 4

Well, I had to look up the exact definition of irony to help me understand your question (is there one?).

"Humor based on opposites: humor based on using words to suggest the opposite of their literal meaning" or expanded to "Something humorous based on contradiction: something said or written that uses humor based on words suggesting the opposite of their literal meaning."

I remember All in the Family being full of ironic moments, among many other television shows, movies, and plays. And I've read many articles written with an ironic slant. Of course, I'm from the Detroit area and life here in Michigan is full of irony. So, maybe it all depends on where you live and how you see things.

Answer 5

listen, americans cant do satire from what ive seen...the daily show with jon stewart is pathetic...bremner bird & fortune is far superior...americans can do gags better perhaps, but the brits have it for satire and subtle humour.

Answer 6

surprisingly doubt it. yet even however on the grounds that i think of the coach is as pretend as professional Wrestling besides in the event that they instructed me ahead of time i became going to win all of it & make the money then perhaps i could do it.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

your right we dont...