Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
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The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Ryan Long packs a punch, not shying away from hot topics
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Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
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LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Ryan Long packs a punch, not shying away from hot topics
Close sticky video
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
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The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
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LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
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The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Article content
The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
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Those nuanced points and his willingness to take on all sides, even politically, make his work refreshing. Comedy was a true victim of the Trump era when so many people attempting to be funny turned towards diatribes against Trump that were highly political but far from funny.
Compare that to Long using his sketch comedy to show the ridiculousness of anti-racists and racists having similar ideas while claiming to be against each other. Like the court jester of centuries ago, he points out the ridiculous pieties of our current age by making us laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
He’s part of a long line of Canadian comics who have headed south to make a name for themselves. He did this despite having some success here working clubs and producing content for CBC but the United States simply offers far more opportunity.
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LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Article content
Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
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Article content
The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Article content
Those nuanced points and his willingness to take on all sides, even politically, make his work refreshing. Comedy was a true victim of the Trump era when so many people attempting to be funny turned towards diatribes against Trump that were highly political but far from funny.
Compare that to Long using his sketch comedy to show the ridiculousness of anti-racists and racists having similar ideas while claiming to be against each other. Like the court jester of centuries ago, he points out the ridiculous pieties of our current age by making us laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
He’s part of a long line of Canadian comics who have headed south to make a name for themselves. He did this despite having some success here working clubs and producing content for CBC but the United States simply offers far more opportunity.
That’s not a bad homecoming.
We take ourselves far too seriously these days, especially when it comes to anything vaguely touching on politics or cultural issues and we need to laugh more. If you haven’t checked out Long’s comedy yet look him up online or take in his show in Toronto this week.
If you are easily offended though, just keep scrolling by.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
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LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Article content
Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Ryan Long packs a punch, not shying away from hot topics
Close sticky video
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
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Columnists
LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Article content
Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Ryan Long packs a punch, not shying away from hot topics
Close sticky video
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
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Columnists
LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Those nuanced points and his willingness to take on all sides, even politically, make his work refreshing. Comedy was a true victim of the Trump era when so many people attempting to be funny turned towards diatribes against Trump that were highly political but far from funny.
Compare that to Long using his sketch comedy to show the ridiculousness of anti-racists and racists having similar ideas while claiming to be against each other. Like the court jester of centuries ago, he points out the ridiculous pieties of our current age by making us laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
He’s part of a long line of Canadian comics who have headed south to make a name for themselves. He did this despite having some success here working clubs and producing content for CBC but the United States simply offers far more opportunity.
Print Subscription
Sign In
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Columnists
LILLEY: Comedian Ryan Long packs punch while not shying away from hot topics
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Dec 11, 2021 • 3 days ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long.
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. PHOTO BY RYAN LONG /Ryanlongcomedy.com
Article content
The demise of comedy is greatly exaggerated according to Ryan Long. If you aren’t familiar with Long and his wildly popular comedy sketches on YouTube, you are missing out.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Long, a native of Toronto who has set up shop in New York City for the past several years, simply doesn’t care about the idea that comedy needs to be whitewashed, sanitized or boring. His comedy, be it stand-up, man on the street interviews or video sketches is raw, acerbic, rude, political and dangerously funny – all the things we’re told comedy can’t be anymore.
Ryan Long is the antidote for sanitized humour.
“Something that might be subversive for your grandmother might not be subversive with your buddies at a bar,” Long said when discussing his subversive comedy style.
“Things that are said in dark rooms with a lot of drunk people about sex or whatever is not really meant to be read like a transcript in the newspaper.”
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The things Long says during his shows and in his YouTube videos would land him in trouble if he were attempting to get a more establishment job with a TV network but it works for his act. At a time when some comics shy away from certain topics, Long dives in with relish covering everything from relationships to sex, religion to politics — the stuff of life — with lots of odd and juvenile, yet funny observations along the way.
Comedy isn’t meant to make us feel good about our opinions or our lives, it is about making us laugh and sometimes the comic accomplishes us that through making the audience uncomfortable. They can say something outlandish or speak a truth that dare not be spoken but the discomfort brings a laugh.
“I’d like to think that I’m making fairly nuanced reasonable points,” Long told me.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Those nuanced points and his willingness to take on all sides, even politically, make his work refreshing. Comedy was a true victim of the Trump era when so many people attempting to be funny turned towards diatribes against Trump that were highly political but far from funny.
Compare that to Long using his sketch comedy to show the ridiculousness of anti-racists and racists having similar ideas while claiming to be against each other. Like the court jester of centuries ago, he points out the ridiculous pieties of our current age by making us laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
He’s part of a long line of Canadian comics who have headed south to make a name for themselves. He did this despite having some success here working clubs and producing content for CBC but the United States simply offers far more opportunity.
That’s not a bad homecoming.
We take ourselves far too seriously these days, especially when it comes to anything vaguely touching on politics or cultural issues and we need to laugh more. If you haven’t checked out Long’s comedy yet look him up online or take in his show in Toronto this week.
If you are easily offended though, just keep scrolling by.
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