Some television channels allow political jibes, so long as they are used sparingly and rely heavily on subtext
“MANY PEOPLE are surprised to hear that we have comedians in Russia, but they are there,” Yakov Smirnoff, a Ukrainian-born comedian, said in the 1980s. “They are dead, but they are there!” Mr Smirnoff, who had emigrated from the Soviet Union to America to pursue a career in comedy, became famous for his jokes highlighting differences between his new country and the USSR. Known as the “Russian reversal”, these quips often followed a set format.
The idea that comedy in Russia was heavily controlled by the state was partially true. In 1961 students in Moscow began a show called “KVN”—in Russian, the “Club of the Funny and Inventive”—where teams competed against one another through sketches and banter with the audience. They made a jab too many at Soviet politics, however, because “KVN” was shut down by the authorities in 1972.
Stand-up is beginning to gain ground in Russia. TNT, an entertainment channel which had been running a “Comedy Club” television show since the early 2000s, began to air a new stand-up competition in 2017. “It’s kind of a rip off of the American show ‘Last Comic Standing’”, explains Milo Edwards, a British performer who took part after being spotted at a gig in Moscow.
TNT’s approach to comedy was still mindful of the authorities. “Most of the people [involved] were fairly liberal, but also working in a system which was entirely dependent on the goodwill of the government,” Mr Edwards says. That goodwill is not something the channel can afford to take lightly: TNT is owned by Gazprom Media, a subsidiary of Gazprom, a state-controlled energy giant.
Some comics and audiences, though, are growing impatient with conservative, tried-and-tested formulas. Live shows often cover more controversial subjects, and some advertise themselves as featuring material “you won’t find on television”. Stand Up #1, a comedy club in Moscow, airs all its live shows on YouTube. This has made it a mecca for comedians such as Alexander Dolgopolov, whose material focuses heavily on politics; Mr Dolgopolov has earned many young fans online.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Exclusive: Don't build Berlin-style wall between Russia and West - GorbachevThirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warns against building a new physical or invisible wall between Russia and the West
Read more »
Turkey, Russia hold first joint patrol in northeast SyriaTurkish and Russian troops in armored vehicles held their first joint ground pat...
Read more »
Prosecutor reviewing Russia probe known for tenacity, ethicsThe man leading the inquiry into the origins of the Russia probe is no stranger to politically sensitive investigations. In his 41-year career as a prosecutor, John Durham, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, has led investigations into the FBI&39;s cozy relationship with Boston mobsters such as James
Read more »
Turkey in talks with Russia to hand over 18 Syrian regime soldiersA total of 18 Assad regime army members were captured during search activities southeast of Ras al Ayn, north Syria, in the area of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring.
Read more »
Turkey, Russia begin joint patrols in northeast SyriaTurkey handed over 18 men believed to be Syrian soldiers who were seized in northeast Syria near the Turkish border earlier this week
Read more »
Ukraine president says Nord Stream 2 decision strengthens Russia and weakens EuropeDenmark's decision to approve the Nord Stream 2 pipeline strengthens Russia...
Read more »