Our friend Paula (no not that Paula, another Paula) told Sarah about this show. And they were able to watch an episode together at a conference. When Sarah came home, we TiVo’d a bunch of episode and we have probably not stopped laughing since.
The premise of Tosh.0 is very simple: Tosh, the host, shows clips that were posted on YouTube and then he makes fun of them. The clips are certainly lowest common denominator (dumb people doing dumb things), and frankly, it’s not really much of a step above America’s Funniest Home Videos. However, Tosh (real name Daniel Tosh) is a snappy, witty and brutal humorist. He says things that you only think of about the clips, and then goes one step further to say things that you can’t believe he would say out loud.
In fact, Sarah and I have often wondered if the show isn’t racist. Of course, it is. And it’s also completely sexist. Tosh makes many jokes about women’s inability to do things, but they are such patently ridiculous stereotypes that Sarah for one has never been offended by them. So, we assume that people of the mocked races (which includes whites, lest we forget) are not offended either (or at least they have a good enough sense of humor to be in the audience).
From time to time he airs a clip and I think, oh man, that poor person. Is it really right to make fun of him or her like this. And then I think, well, the video was posted on YouTube, so it’s not like they are embarrassed about it (unless it was posted without their permission…but that’s thinking waaaay too much about this show).
Tosh.0 is also, of course reminiscent of Talk Soup (or whatever it’s called these days). But it is so much more vulgar (there appears to be a puke shot every week) that it really shows how tame that originator was.
There’s a few things I could do without on the show. I don’t need the web redemptions (where someone from an embarrassing clip is allowed to try to redo the thing that failed). Mostly because they’re very long and only mildly funny. And I could do with fewer of the “skits” that Tosh puts himself in. (Maybe they just need to be shorter, too).
I realize that without these bits, the show would just be him making fun of video clips, but honestly that’s what I love about the show, so why take away from that? Tosh is really funny, with a devilish smile and the best trait about comedians: the ability to simultaneously tout his superiority and yet also make fun of himself mercilessly.
Some highlights of the show are the “Guess What Happens Next” video and the “Viewer Video.” I also enjoy the “20 second” section where he tries to tell as many jokes about a still photo in 20 seconds (which isn’t really 20 seconds at all). And of course, just to add a question about the racist nature of the show, he has a segment called “Is It Racist?” which is always very funny.
The show debuted last season, so I’m not even that far behind in touting it. And I will say that I haven’t laughed this hard at something in quite a while. And for that I thank him.
I Just Read About That... 
Tosh is a real Gen X comic. He is clearly a total nihilist. He may indeed be a racist and a sexist but I think his point would be what the heck does it matter, anyway. I really like the web redemption b/c they are, underneath it, all about how redemption isn’t possible anyway – it’s all just smoke and mirrors. If you have seen his stand up, you’ll be even more convinced I think. Pair him with Louie CKs new sitcom and you have a clear picture of how Gen Xers both younger and older see the world – ridiculous and probably not worth saving anyway. It’s refreshing to see some non-boomer shows out there that are about the truth of life instead of canned laughter.
Good analysis, Truthbomb. Regardless of his attitude, nothing has made me laugh as hard as this show. And I was just saying that I wondered what his standup was like. I’ll have to do some youtubing
I’ve watched this a couple of times and can’t make myself like it. There are funny moments, mostly the clips themselves. Occasionally he says something so outrageous or funny that I can’t help laughing at him. But mostly I see him mugging for the camera in a way that comes off to me as if he’s trying to be mock-serious but can’t help half-smiling, and it just seems poorly done. It’s like failed deadpan, or deadpan that’s grinning at itself just a little, which isn’t what deadpan is about. I can’t quite put my finger on it. There used to be a couple of shows on VH-1 on Saturday mornings in which comedians talked about clips from youtube and celebrity news; I found those much funnier. The schtick was just different.
The older I get, the more I’m into sincerity and not making fun of people.
I never liked those VH1 shows. The reason I think I’m okay with the making fun of part is because it’s not people trying their best and failing or, worse, innocent people. I’m willing to let the people who do dumb things and publicize it get mocked.
As for the man himself, I find his little winking laughing but strangely charming. (Although it’s THIS CLOSE) to being awful. I suspect our lines are shades apart on this one.