Channel Surfing: Dana Gould - "I Know It's Wrong"

Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.

*I would like to apologize before I get too far into this post for the lack of supplements and videos, as they weren't available upon write-up.

Dana Gould is a perplexing comedian with an envious legacy that has involved writing during the prime era of the Simpsons and being one of the quintessential stand-ups with classic albums such as "Funhouse." His knowledge of pop culture and history mixed with sarcastic impersonations all feel like a guy obsessed with the world. His enthusiasm is so impressive that his podcast, the Dana Gould Hour, remains one of the best produced and informative shows on topics ranging from murder to old Louvine Brothers records. Gould's depth of knowledge knows no boundaries, and thankfully he is able to translate that into stand-up after all of these years.
There is little doubt of his affiliation with historical culture when he begins the set by examining that he was born a little over nine months after the John F. Kennedy assassination and that he was a product of his father's grief from the event. It sets the tone for the rest of the evening, which literally knows no boundaries. Early in the set, he continues to find ways to make homophobic, rape, and 9-11 jokes just to prove how edgy he will probably get as the night continues. He never lets up, and even if the comedy isn't always that strong, Gould proves to be a fascinating critic on pop culture, history, and living with an infamous routine involving the word retarded.
The issue isn't that the more crass jokes aren't funny, but it does take some reassessment to get into the mood. There are several stretches in "I Know It's Wrong" that don't feel like comedic bits, but stories of murders and deep perversion. There is an entire bit about the Black Dahlia that is nothing but facts and only after an elaborate explanation is there a punchline. Even if this should raise questions as to how this is funny, it more if fascinating as an experiment that these topics are being addressed in a comedy show. Much like George Carlin before, Gould's attempt to explore the outer boundaries of possibility only result in the unexpected. It doesn't always hit, but sometimes captivation trumps content. Gould is captivating to say the least.
Despite being perversely dark through varying points of the show, there are the signature moments in which things go more absurd. Telling stories about his father's ignorance and meeting Bob Hope lack the darkness of the other bits and instead fills them with the absurd moments of reality where things go unexpected. Even if his love for pop culture has subsided a bit for his views on history, he still brings it up in ways to make poignant statements. On the cusp of turning 50, he has lived life and has bitter thoughts on the state of reality TV. He is a wise man with the ability to turn criticism into witty take-downs so effectively.
For those crossing over from the Dana Gould Hour and checking out the show, it is a little strange to hear him talk about certain things. The most notable is his wife, whom he had since broken up with. While this tour and the filming of this special all took place before, the stark contrast does remain a little bit confusing. His bits about being married and moments with his wife are all humorous and ripe with insight, but also seem tragic when considering outside sources. Thankfully, it isn't too much of a problem, though his occasional views on women compared to being trees of sustenance can arguably reflect divorce. Within the context of the show, it is nonetheless amusing.
He hasn't lost his ability to do stand-up and he remains a vibrant comedian more than ever. The most fascinating part of the show is trying to understand his psychology. For all of his ambitious bits, there does seem to be a man with some bitterness and morose fascination. Maybe it is the result of getting older, but he does seem to be working out his demons onstage through bits about murders, the Special Olympics, and women. It isn't a distraction, but the tonal shifts are sometimes jarring and reflect a sort of catharsis. Maybe the thesis to the whole show was in fact the JFK assassination bit, suggesting that death causes strange things to happen. In this case, a lot of fascinating, creepy comedy bits.
The Showtime special is definitely worth checking out for those who are a fan of the comedian's podcast and overall take on life. However, it does feel like his version of George Carlin's "You are All Diseased" at points on how scathing and dark things get. It may not be pleasant, but it reflects an artist trying new things. Even if Gould's personality does make it hard to enjoy all of the murder jokes sometimes, it at least feels mature and analytic as opposed to just being insults. It may not be his best special, but with a distinctive personality and take on pop culture, history, and life, his voice manages to thrive in the special and creates a show that may be hit and miss, but the hits are sublime. Even if the comedy is lacking, it creates an intellectual dialogue that transcends humor, and that may be a bigger achievement than laughter.

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