Marc explores the essence of comedian Steve Byrne. They discuss the implications of political correctness in comedy if you're a mixed-race performer and then Steve tells his side of a controversial story involving a past WTF guest. Plus, Marc gets scolded by the California DMV. This episode is sponsored by AdamandEve.com - click here for a special offer.
Deep-seeded issues? Yes, I suppose he did belong on the show after all...
Anywho, that said, phenomenal work, this WTF!
Open up some books on the subject and you'll realize that slavery was a prominent fixture in Africa long before Europeans made their way to the coast. I'm not saying this does or doesn't validate Steve's point, but facts are facts.
The institution of slavery has been with mankind since the beginning - the 'white devils' are one in a long list of people that capitalized on this system.
Great episode Marc.
We can all agree on that.
But does anyone else think Marc is maybe just a little bit too enthusiastic with the Dane Cook hate?
On the Cook cast, I thought he was a bit of a dick to Cook (something I also thought about the Joe Rogan podcast).
And he continues the dickishness a little here too, and I think too readily believes Byrnes take, whereas on the cook cast, he presses cook on his side of the story (which a good interviewer should do).
I think he reveals himself at the end when he talks about how "that's what it's like for us comics in this Machiavellian world".
He sounds a mite bitter, no?
Anyway I think I'm just annoyed that he didn't press harder on Byrnes misguided racism.
Losing Steve his manager, though, that's a shitty move. But if a manager is to be lost, better one with no integrity and no spine.
I also liked his comments on race. If it's open season on anything but race for a comic, what's the point? Let him make his observations. Right or wrong, he's coming at them from an intellectual place, not Gallagher's "Don't listen to grandpa, he knows not what he says" position.
Keep doing what you're doing Marc, you're getting really good at this. (I'm joking, just a little passive aggression, I know you that's your bag, kid! (Did I do it again?))
"See a bunch of big-ass conquistador ships with cannons over there?"
"Yep."
"If you don't want to get blown to smithereens or turned into a slave, hook us up, homie..."
"Err, um, ok."
I wanted to like Steve Byrne because I don't think Dane Cook is funny and comes off like a frat-boy wannabe comedian, but racist apologists are not my bag either. Good on you for calling him out, Marc.
On the other hand, Byrne can just fuck right off with his views on race. So sorry that those minorities won't let him make his hackiest jokes on TV (while he remains free to do them on stage, on podcasts and anywhere else). He was getting really close to Gallagher territory there. Seriously, offended that security company commercials don't have black criminals? If you have something genuine to say about race, say it, and if "The Man" won't let you, you have a legitimate complaint. If all you have to offer is hack than quit complaining.
Errr...... OK.
That's certainly one way to take an actual fact and come to an ill-informed conclusion.
Steve Byrne, though seemingly a "nice guy," is--like Carlos Mencia--suspect. I imagine that not feeling like he fit in in either the Asian world or the White world while growing up makes him gravitate toward the biased world view of the dominant culture.
I actually liked this guy's Comedy Central special but I'm done with this jerk. Nice bigots are the scary ones.
Another good one, thanks marc.