Michael Girts’ Post

https://lnkd.in/guP2Sh4b The Brothers Sun" is like a special concoction prepared just for my taste: action, smart comedy, dysfunctional family bonds—the true definition of entertainment!Here's my review:

The latest issue of Attitude out and it is a travel special with my Travel Trends for 2024 article in it.

Is Comedy Still OK During a Crisis? Indian Comedian Yogesh Gawas, give us his take explains in this clip from Clever Hybrids℠ S7E5 'Laughs, Not Likes' Like what you saw? Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://linktw.in/sRKwwb Or Listen directly on my website: https://linktw.in/rJLFVG Follow hashtag #CleverHybrids for more like this

My latest story for Chicago Reader.

Laughter is definitely the best medicine in these uncertain times! 🤣 We’re seeing a rise in people attending comedy shows to get a much-needed break from the daily grind. Comedians are adapting their sets to reflect the current state of the world, making these shows more enjoyable and meaningful. 🤣🤓 What do you think about the latest trends in comedy shows? Share your thoughts below and let us know using the hashtags #ComedyShows #StayLaughing #QuarantineHumor.

As a lifelong admirer of stand-up comedy, I've witnessed how Black entertainers have powerfully shaped perceptions, challenging and shaping my worldview. Understanding that comedy often dances along the edge of truth, humor, and social commentary, I've come to appreciate the artistry behind these performances. In the realm of comedy, Dave Chappelle remains a prominent figure, yet consistently subjected to harsh criticism in the media. Accusations of transphobia and other labels have often clouded discussions around his work. However, despite the relentless scrutiny, Chappelle, now in his 50s, stands unwavering, perhaps the most talked-about comedian of our time. Netflix recently released another of Chappelle's compelling comedy specials, continuing a legacy of thought-provoking performances. It's notable that before this, most American media networks had shied away from featuring his content since 2008. For me, this release wasn't just another comedy special; it stood as a testament to the crucial value of freedom of speech and expression. Netflix's commitment to airing Chappelle's specials amid controversy is a profound reminder that in our diverse society, all voices—however challenging or uncomfortable—are worthy of expression. This stance by Netflix strikes a chord against the rising tide of cancel culture. It champions the notion that while we might not always agree with every perspective, silencing voices isn't the answer. It's a rallying cry for a media landscape where diverse narratives coexist and thrive. #FreeSpeech #MediaFreedom #Netflix #DaveChappelle #StandUpComedy #FreedomOfExpression

When News Breaks We Fix It. This phrase used to be a joke. I thought it came from the 1980s show, Not Necessarily the News. However, the hits I got on it refer back to the 1990s early years of The Daily Show before John Stewart. Regarless, the phrase was once sharp-edged comedy from 30ish years ago. But I wonder it is comedy anymore. Is it now an actual mission on some "news" programs from both the left and right? I suspect the only real difference between the two is, who defines what news is broken and how to fix it. And the public, which relies on factual news for decision-making is like a puppet dancing to whichever source of "fixed news" they listen two. And when the public no longer understands critical thinking because it is not taught in schools, who make the "news" the public uses for decisions? We do live in interesting times. Image source: https://lnkd.in/gygr-dA9

How much of a 70s TV show can still be relevant today? I recently booked tickets to see the Fawlty Towers theatre show. The show is based upon arguably the funniest television sitcom ever, starring John Cleese. It also has my favourite ever sitcom scene (a link to which is in the comments below). Looking back, its comedy was very risqué (to put it mildly). Now, it's fair to say we live in very different times. Even those of us that love the show also know that the behaviour and language isn't acceptable nowadays. So where do we find the balance? How much do you remove whilst still keeping the heart of the original series? There is a danger that modernising it could remove all the reasons why it was originally funny. But, with that said, there may well be people going to see it from the younger generation who never saw the original. Comedy is often subjective, and the fleeting nature of how we consume content (such as binge-watching series on Netflix) means that most television shows become a moment in time. Comedy has always had a level of being risqué and occasionally causing offence. Mainstream comedians like Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr, and Frankie Boyle - as well as modern stand-up comedians such as Matt Fife and Paul Smith - often base a lot of their shows around causing offence or making the audiences feel mildly uncomfortable. But, as Jimmy Carr once said, offence is taken, not given. So, when it comes to shows like Fawlty Towers (or other 70s sitcoms such as Only Fools & Horses or Porridge), would you want a theatre production to be sympathetic to the original, or move with the times (and possibly distorting what made it funny in the first place)? #FawltyTowers #TheatreShow #MovingWithTheTimes 

🎙️Missed Amanda Hammond's webinar on how her experience with Stand-up Comedy has helped her career in Market Research? Don't worry! 📝 Get a summary in the Research Live article below. 👇 Or, if you've got the time and the inclination, then you can watch the entire webinar here: https://lnkd.in/dM_KEy7A

2 weeks ago today, I hosted an online webinar to over 80 Market Researchers. In that webinar, I spoke about how my experience with Stand-up Comedy has helped my career in Market Research. Spoiler alert: it's helped me a lot and in many different ways. Market Research has also helped my 'career' in comedy too. To summarise my thoughts, I wrote an article for Research Live - which can be found below. Or, if you've got the time and the inclination, then you can watch the entire webinar here: https://lnkd.in/dM_KEy7A