Tig Notaro was not funny on Conan

8/15/2013

I'm down here in Australia so I'm nowhere near full bottle on the US comedy scene. Most of what I know about it comes from watching chat shows like Conan, Letterman, etc. While the majority of the episodes broadcast are up to date, quite a few are from a while back.

Anyway, some months ago I was watching Conan and Tig Notaro was a guest. She was introduced as this amazingly brave comedian who'd survived cancer, and she had a CD out that Louis CK was raving about.

First thing I thought when I heard about the cancer: I'll bet she's not that funny. They're just saying that because they feel obligated to. They think she's gone through hell, and is raising awareness about her illness so she deserves support ... But I certainly hoped to be proved wrong.

Anyway, she chatted to Conan and described all these horrific events in her life. And she joked about them. My heart went out to her. She was clearly a very strong woman. But my suspicions were confirmed. Even though I really wanted to find her funny, I just couldn't.

A couple of nights ago I saw another Conan episode in which she appeared (this, like so many episodes shown here, was from several months ago, I think). I watched with interest to see if she had anything actually witty or amusing to say. She chatted with Conan but again I didn't even crack a smile.

She showed a gonzo segment making fun of how so few people recognize her, even though she's technically "famous". In the piece she went around to various businesses trying to get her photo placed on the wall. It was excruciatingly unfunny.

Sure, I haven't seen her do a standup set. Maybe she's much better doing prepared material. But from what I've seen so far she strikes me as being seriously overrated. Actually, I think she's quite dim. And dimness is not a characteristic you tend to associate with comics. Even if their schtick is not to your liking, you can always see the intelligence in their eyes

I think Tig Notaro has been getting by mostly on her identity. She's a woman in a male dominated profession, appears to be a lesbian and is a cancer survivor. So she's held to a much lower standard than other comics. Most of the people in the comedy scene wouldn't dare criticize her. To do so would qualify them as heartless, illiberal reactionaries.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh?

20 Comments

nate

11/18/2013 04:21:00 pm

I agree. I've never laughed once at anything she's done. As an inspirational speaker, I'm sure she's fine. But from a comedic standpoint, I don't find her funny. Which leads me to agree with your point: she's being hyped because of her circumstances, and not so much for her actual comedic talent. Then you have the groupthink mentality, where just because respected comics like Louis CK, Sarah Silverman, Conan, etc., say it's one of the best things they've seen, everyone just keeps repeating that w/o actually forming their own opinion. Of course this is subjective, but since I don't find this to be one of the best sets I've seen either comedically or as a motivational speech, I have to believe they are just supporting a fellow comedian who fell on hard times but kept a great attitude. Unfortunately, I'm just in it as a fan of comedy, so I don't really care about the backstory since only the end result affects me. And based on that, she is overrated. Has nothing to do with her as a person or her speaking talent.

nate

11/18/2013 04:34:36 pm

One more thing: I watched some Conan clips to make sure I wasn't being too harsh. I mean, some of her bits are okay. Not as bad as I remember. But I definitely get the sense that both the guests/hosts and the audience are laughing much more than they should. I'm not sure if it's forced, but it's definitely kind of odd that some small bit she does gets this riotous laughter. I feel like some of it is her fans who just want to support her, so of course they'll be extra loud regardless of whether it's actually funny. I also get the sense that part of it is charity laughter, kind of like how people would humor a terminally-ill child. Because they are sensitive to the person's situation, they over-compensate in trying to make that person feel special. The end.

Matt link

11/21/2013 06:13:40 pm

Hi Nate. Thanks for stopping by and leaving these thoughtful comments.

Heartening to know that someone else feels the same way about the reaction to this performer. Confirms that I wasn't being too harsh!

I think you're right about the audience wanting to be very supportive of her because she's been through so much. That's understandable, but it creates a false reaction. Ultimately that's not good for Notaro herself because she'll pay less and less attention to the quality of her routine.

motek

12/31/2013 09:44:09 pm

Matt, what you are witnessing is a diabolical cancer scam. When facing more obscurity and mounting legal bills(due to past scams) she and a Nick Kroll "laughed so hard" at the decision to invent cancer to get Notaro out of her messes.

Some of her victims have proven that from beginning to end, this was a set up. Now, she will win the grammy. Nick Kroll is in her corner, and he is can absolutely make anything happen. His father Jules is one of the world's most influential men. From what I have learned, he might be in the top 5.

Notaro is dim. Dim as it gets. Forgets her lies non stop and yet she gets away with it due to Nick Kroll.

She never read a book, I was told by someone who knows. But, she is ruthless and her and Nick have created a successful illusion. If you consider that Notaro's story says she never spoke to Louis CK backstage, and the stories he would tell Terry Gross and put on his website(in order to sell the cancer tape) it becomes fraud. If you consider that now she only promises to give proceeds from some "Bentzen Ball" to gay charities and that she never gave any money to any charity... well... it's not very nice.

If you notice how even Lance Armstrong got on board to promote her(Texas Monthly) and then she had his back(Mother Jones) then it really gets wild.

Notaro is a psychopath. Dim and mean as it gets. Stay tuned for a mind blowing article that is nearly done. Best to you.

danny

3/19/2015 02:38:09 pm

Hey Motek, your comments about Notaro and Kroll are very interesting to me. Incredible Kroll's background, I didn't know any of that about his father and his company at all. Can you please explain what scams Notaro was involved in? And are you saying that the cancer thing is made up? And what victims?

I understand why they would push her as her slow and superficially experimental yet stale and puerile comedy is a perfect fit for the adrogynous lesbian agenda that elites love. I think her comedy is terrible, and it is shocking that names in the industry would say she is a genius.

Please send me your aforementioned mind-blowing article. Or anything else. Thanks

Shhhhhh

4/27/2014 12:20:53 pm

I see what u r saying ...
I hav seen her 2+ xs on Conan and was perplexed
But then once she came on Pete Holmes show where he suggested she try something w/the audience. I actually laughed out loud. It was a good original idea and she carried it out well.

Grogman

5/1/2014 12:04:49 am

I think some comics are picked because they serve establishment interests by tapping into our sympathy, fine, but that's neutered comedy because it will never bite the hand that feeds it. For instance, we have a comic who was badly burned during a tour in Iraq and he's not that funny, but he taps into the hero/patriotic mindset that sells with the general public, especially in military town. He would never criticize the military or his government, he's being supported because he follows the propaganda, in effect, he's a company man. I think a lot of comics are propped up due to their popularity or their ideology falls in line. Just my take on it.

Bammy Bam Bam

5/22/2014 09:09:25 pm

I agree. I have no idea why she is in comedy, as she's clearly not gifted with a quick wit or interesting antics. She's boring as hell.
I also learned of her through Louis CK's raving, and tried to listen to her podcast. I say "tried" because I couldn't make it through. It was the most boring, slowest, aimless thing I ever listened to. Like a conversation of two or three boring people that they recorded by accident. Especially Tig Notaro was to blame, because shee taalks to slooowly and she doesn't seem to come up with anything remotely funny on the spot.
Are we supposed to be wowed by her because she's lesbian and had cancer? I think she's a brave woman and I wish her the best but she has zero comedic talent and a horribly slow, unfocused delivery.

kellerbif

6/26/2014 07:41:41 am

So glad to see I'm not alone in this. She doesn't have a comic spirit, it seems. It's as if she's playing at being a comedian but doesn't have the real chops. I know that Conan doesn't much care for her but is pressured by some folks to assist her "during her time of need.' Don't know about this but my mate passed it along, and I found it rather interesting. http://henypire.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-tig-notaro-cancer-scam-gets-even.html

Karl

11/18/2014 08:37:35 am

It's been observed that many female comedians find success by taking on a very male stage persona. But even this strategy requires some comedic talent. So despite her butch look, ripped jeans and double mastectomy, Tig Notaro is simply not funny.

Leslie

7/17/2015 02:19:38 pm

I think she's really funny

Sienna Dylan

7/28/2015 02:19:09 pm

I don't find her funny at all. I never laughed once or even smiled at one of her "jokes." I love Louis C.K., and many other comedians, but not her. I thought I was missing something.

S Bachmann

8/10/2015 02:24:21 am

I completely agree with your article, she is really not funny. Dry humour is hard to pull off for some, but hers act comes out boring, slow and just sleep inducing. How did she snow people into all the press and shows? If you have to ride on a health problem wave to maintain celebrity, you are not talented. [and her older stuff is just as tepid and dull] Saying she is brilliant is an insult to truly brilliant comics. Anyway, you get the picture and it's great to hear I am not alone or afraid to honestly review this 'comedian'.

S Bachmann

8/10/2015 02:29:17 am

P.S. - Now I have less respect for Louis C.K. and all the others who lauded her set so much. If they truly think it was spectacular, they must be as dim as 'Tig' is. Sad.

André

8/30/2015 03:23:09 pm

This woman is not funny at all. I cannot believe what passes for 'stand-up' these days!

Hortense mcdultry

9/13/2015 08:42:48 pm

Horrible comedian. I attempted to watch her recent HBO special and couldn't make it more then 10 minutes before changing it and saying that was crap.

Anthony link

7/27/2021 08:46:34 pm

I did the same! She did 10 minutes on the kool aid man I couldn't believe how bad it was and people were laughing. I find her so unfunny it makes me wonder if we are in the Twilight Zone.

Albert

9/14/2015 04:10:31 pm

I watched her special on HBO i think recently here in the US. I love comedy and understand that everyone has different tastes. My wife and I are polar opposites when it comes to comedy. She likes fart jokes and I prefer more intellectual comedy. I mean dont get me wrong...i love all kinds of comedy. All that aside, I have never even heard of her. I didnt know any of her back story. I watched the show with blind anticipation from all the promos. I was sadly disappointed. Halfway through I kept thinking "maybe I just don't get it"...I couldn't figure it out. The next day I asked some people I work with if they watched and everyone had the same reaction. I'm not here to pick on anyone, obviously she has had medical problems in life and that is sad, but that doesn't make you funny. My uneducated guess is that perhaps she is a writer for some famous funny show because honestly, I have no idea who she is and I'm a 45 yr old American male. During the special, she actually takes her shirt off and does the last part of the show topless as if to say "look how brave I am to to this" but there was nothing "funny" about it and I thought I was watching a comedy special. Oh well, I guess I know now not to bother watching another Tig Notaro "comedy" special.

Girly American

9/29/2015 06:14:47 pm

I agree, she is NOT funny. It is pretty pathetic how she gets by on her 'story.' Thank you for this article!

Ricky

3/2/2016 02:03:46 pm

Worst stand up ever I would not go see her if she paid me to see. She was just horrible.

Tig Notaro was not funny on Conan

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