McKay: I feel that inherently good comedy is subversive. I don’t believe there is such a thing as truly inspired comedy that is status quo. Look at the funniest show on TV: The Daily Show. It’s the only program that is any way dealing with this criminal Bush administration’s looting of the country. I’m not saying all comedy has to be overtly political. But if it’s not addressed then a big part of reality is being ignored. Even shows like The Office or Ali G, though not political in definition, thrive off of depicting authority figures as ridiculous and out of touch. Ricky Gervais’ boss character is so similar to Bush its frightening.
Too often comedy and improv can fall into what I call the “white and witty†category which is when white guys reference TV shows with irony in their voice and then take a victory lap. I’ve done it. And, beyond being lame, it doesn’t work. There’s no blood in the water. Look at Leno. He’s still doing Clinton jokes nightly. What world is he living in?
I’m most proud of the pieces I wrote for SNL that were on the square socially and politically and that some people hated. I once did a sketch where after Cheney and Bush got into the White House (like mold), Cheney in a televised address told everyone making less than five hundred and seventy thousand a year to change the channel because nothing he said would concern them. I knew these guys were creeps, but I had no idea just how bad things would get.
But the truth is it’s easier to be funny when addressing politics as well as sex, race, culture. To ignore it gets to wondering what the agenda is.
Record: Many people raised a big hue and cry recently over the board game “Ghetto-opoly,†although the creator justified it with something along the lines of “we need to be able to laugh at ourselves.†Do you think good humor has to be edgy and will inevitably offend some people?
McKay: Sure. But if a white guy created that game, he should get shit. Especially a rich white guy. That’s not his joke to make.
There’s a difference between material that offends because it is thoughtless and material that rattles and threatens. Believe me, if they had put out a board game called “Media-opoly†or “Corporate Jerk Off Fest†(Your turn…six!…Move three squares forward to Bohemian Grove where you and Rupert Murdoch decide to dismantle the FCC while playing nude volleyball with Oliver North and Ralph Reed…), they would then be doing something that could actually upset the people who need to be upset.
Record: According to some bio I found of you on the Internet, you’re married with one child. Does fatherhood change how you view the world? Do you ever worry that your kids won’t find you funny?
McKay: What’s worse is that my three year old thinks I’m hilarious. I’m basically in the same league as the word “poop†and Grover. Me and Grover and the word Poop, tonight only.
No, actually having a kid, Lili, is the best thing in the world because you just don’t care as much. She’s so far above everything else in my life that I have instant perspective. And my wife is a theater director so its not like we’re having bologna sandwiches at 5 every night.
Record: What advice would you give to those aspiring to make it in the world of comedy?
McKay: Spend all of your time learning things that have nothing to do with comedy or how to write or how to act. Study math, the muscular system of lemurs, subatomic quark fission, Basque conjugations…Then go do comedy. Also listen to Bill Hicks and call Donald Rumsfeld’s office three times a day requesting a picture of him without a shirt on. When you can stay on the line for twenty minutes…then…oh, I don’t know…Do your own shows. Get on stage. Write a lot and throw out your act every week.
