How Do You Make Anger Funny Like Lewis Black?
It’s no secret that comedian Lewis Black has joined the roll of today’s funny men commanding a good audience, whether for live stand-up or on the big screen. Whether he’s on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show delivering commentary, on stage in Vegas or on his own new show “Root of All Evil,” Black’s fans recognize his caustic brand of humor. Here are some signature Black elements that helped him rise to the top, and stay there. Use your fingers. While it might not be true for the average comedian, you could realistically say Black “works with his hands.” The ranting Black, holding forth on a tangential topic, raises his hands, fingers splayed, and shakes them in the air to underscore his point. When he gets really peeved, he takes his index fingers and stabs them in the air in a gyrating, manic gesture that informs his act. Take on a variety of ideas. Some of Black’s material is on things that wouldn’t anger the mainstream of America. His bit on “Candy Corn” is funny partly because it’s s
