Mike G wrote:I also read that there's an episode of The Odd Couple where Felix and Oscar are entering a talent agent's office and see a family act exit and someone makes a reference to them being "The Aristocrats"-- apparently the ABC censors had not heard the joke at that point, but folks in the business were expected to have...

I'd love to see that episode some time.

Beth and her brother and I made it to the theater on Sheridan up by Loyola today and rather enjoyed ourselves. $5 tickets and no carding (although they claimed to require 17+ on the phone). The theater was pretty small (maybe 75 seats) so it might be possible to make special arrangements.

Along with the South Park contribution, my favorite version came from Billy, the street performer I won't otherwise identify to avoid spoiling the bit. Not only is it one of the very few times the joke is related in full, it comes with a vigor and glee that many other performers in the movie don't quite attain.

And I was already working on a food version as we were leaving the theater. "And then the Szechuan chef *takes* the burrito and layers on an *entire jar* of Miracle Whip..."

A very good time, fun movie, good crowd -- very enjoyable to see it with SteveZ, GAF, and Mr. and Mrs. LoganSquare.

Bob S. wrote:Along with the South Park contribution, my favorite version came from Billy, the street performer I won't otherwise identify to avoid spoiling the bit. Not only is it one of the very few times the joke is related in full, it comes with a vigor and glee that many other performers in the movie don't quite attain.

Indeed, I'll second those noms. Billy's was great.

And gilbert gottfried, even though I so rarely like him, is just outstanding in the film.

The memorable part of seeing Gottfried's routine (a little GG goes a long way) at the Hefner roast was seeing Hef looking distinctly uncomfortable (as if he had a insistent case of hemorrhoids). For Hef sex is therapeutic, willing, and antiseptic; everything that The Aristocrats is not.

As Woody Allen recognized: "Is sex dirty? Only if it's done right."

Too bad we didn't get a W.A. version of the Aristocrats.

Bob S. wrote:And I was already working on a food version as we were leaving the theater. "And then the Szechuan chef *takes* the burrito and layers on an *entire jar* of Miracle Whip..."

Then the Italian chef fills the ravioli with natto, and prepares a pesto sauce of spearmint leaves, morrocan argan nuts, pickled garlic and Merkts cheddar.

Finally saw it.

You know what's really funny? That Billy is miked. (Lavaliere on his suspender, transmitter on his back.)

Yes, I know that makes no sense until you see it.

Mike G wrote:Finally saw it.

You know what's really funny? That Billy is miked. (Lavaliere on his suspender, transmitter on his back.)

Yes, I know that makes no sense until you see it.

They probably did an interview first and only showed the "good part" in the film.

Fine, spoil the joke!

Maybe it was the buildup, but I didn't find the versions of the joke by most of the standard comics all that great-- it's shocking to find that my imagination was more baroque than most of theirs. (Well, not Andy Dick's or Taylor Negron's, to be sure.)

I actually thought the women who, in one way or another, mocked and deconstructed the joke as boys' humor came off the best-- Whoopi Goldberg's version was more imaginative (and better timed) than most of the guys', and Sarah Silverman's take on it ("I actually was an Aristocrat") was absolutely brilliant (as was the trailer for the upcoming movie with her, which looks downright terrifying).

What's that? Keep it on food? Uh, no Marcello's for me, but I'm making pesto all'Antonius right now...

P.S. ...which the kids loved! (Didn't hurt that the pasta was called "train tracks.")