Review of The Aristocrats (2005) by Alexander Z — 15 Dec 2010

Not to be confused with a similarly-titled Disney feature from the 70's, The Aristocrats is an examination of the most horrible, offensive, insane vaudeville-style joke ever conceived, as told by roughly 100 of the most relevant comedians and comedy writers of the past 80 years.

It can get tiresome, and it certainly isn't for the easily offended, but I found it worth watching if only to see the horrid depictions of a joke featuring every gruesome act under the sun told by ordinarily family-friendly actors including George Alexander, Bob Saget, Howie Mandel, Whoopi Goldberg, and many, many more.

More than just a series of variations on the joke, many of the comics, notably George Carlin, Paul Reiser, Phyllis Diller, and Billy Connolly use the dirty mess as a means to teach the craft of stand-up. The reality of the Aristocrats joke is that it isn't funny whatsoever, and is only and truly geared to offend everyone. The point, ostensibly, is for the comic to keep things moving (in some instances, for as long as 2 hours), regardless of reaction.

That isn't to say that a master of delivery can't make the joke funny. For my money, Gilbert Gottfried tells it best, though Carlin's technical breakdown of the acts involved (ranging from incest to bestiality to coprophilia and beyond) as if he's discussing modern engine repair is more than worth the price of admission.

Honourable mentions go to Drew Carey, Carrie Fisher, and Dana Gould for his "Amish" version of the joke.

The subject isn't for everyone, not by any stretch. But even for an admitted fan of "blue" humour, the film drags on a bit too much and is seriously repetitive. Honestly, at the end of the day, there's just only so much one can do with shit. Still, worth a watch.