“Satire is tragedy plus time. You give it enough time, the public, the reviewers will allow you to satirize it. Which is rather ridiculous when you think about it.”
~ Lenny Bruce
(1925-1966)
There has never been anyone quite like Lenny Bruce. A true, original comedic force of nature.
He was renowned for his open, free style and critical form of comedy, which integrated satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity. His 1964 conviction in an obscenity trial was followed by a posthumous pardon—the first in New York State history—granted by then-Governor George Pataki in 2003. He paved the way for future outspoken counter-era comedians, and his trial for obscenity is seen as a landmark for freedom of speech in the USA.
If he were alive and working today, he would be having a field day, I think.
One of my favourite quotes of his, in one of his gentler moments, is:
“There are never enough I love yous.” The celebrated L.A.-based journalist Julian Wasser captured his essence in his 1959 performance at The Crescendo on Sunset Blvd.