Some fans of Larry David may have curbed their enthusiasm for the comic actor, writer and producer after his unsettling Holocaust-themed jokes on Saturday Night Live last week.
In the opening monologue, David seized on the ongoing revelations about sexual exploitation of women, primarily in the entertainment industry. David wished that so many of the accused were not Jewish and said he vastly preferred hearing about Jews who make the news because of wonderful achievements, like Albert Einstein. While painfully true, it was a cringeworthy observation for people who feel a sense of communal shame over the Harvey Weinsteins of the world. “I consistently strive to be a good Jewish representative,” David said, which seemed startlingly at odds with having reminded a nationwide audience of a situation that cannot help but disgrace all Jews.
Uncomfortable as that moment was for many Jewish listeners, the humor was well within bounds of acceptable humor fodder. Then David segued into jokes acknowledging his own weakness for women, wondering how he might have tried to entice women had he been in a Nazi concentration camp. The problem, he said, is that “There are no good opening lines in a concentration camp.” Pausing for effect, he suggested, “How’s it going?” Audience laughter notably dwindled and David must have registered the uncomfortable looks on their faces, because he then asked, “What? What’d I say? Is it me or is it the whole thing?”
The jokes delivered a shock, and it was also a moment where life imitates art. In his long-running show on HBO, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David plays himself as a semi-retired comic writer, but one whose unfiltered comments consistently get him into trouble. Whether shrugging off the news that his barber’s wife had a miscarriage by saying, “She already had nine kids,” to thanking only the husband and his wife for treating him for dinner because “he’s the one who goes out and earns the money,” David’s lack of tact and consideration lands him in the soup in every episode. For fans of the often-raunchy program, the Holocaust routine might have just seemed darkly funny. For people who cannot fathom the idea of trivializing the experiences of Holocaust victims with jokes, it was appalling.
Comedy: Tragedy Plus Time
When does humor cross the line from the clever, the ironic, and the incisive to the inappropriate and offensive? This is highly subjective and always will be. Comedy is borne of “tragedy plus time,” as the famous saying goes. But how much time? Are some things so awful that no amount of time can ever make them funny?
This is one question explored in the 2016 documentary The Last Laugh, which features Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner, several other comedians, as well as Holocaust survivors, who all talk about the role of comedy in the context of the Nazi atrocities. (Fair warning: the documentary includes explicit language.)
Mel Brooks smashed taboos about Holocaust humor with his 1967 film The Producers, about a down-and-out producer (Zero Mostel) who intentionally stages the worst, most tasteless show possible, one that celebrates the German Fuhrer, called Springtime for Hitler. Mostel and his sidekick (Gene Wilder) had worked out a scheme they assumed would make them more money with a flop than with a hit. What would flop faster than a pro-Nazi show? Comedy ensues when, to their shock, the audience decides the play is a parody and it becomes a hit.
Larry David’s jokes weren’t at the expense of German leadership but at the expense of the victims themselves.
Making the movie only 20 years after the end of WWII, Brooks, who won an Academy Award for his directorial debut in this film, fielded a barrage of “How could you?” calls and letters over the movie. In the documentary Brooks defended the work. “Anything that deflated the Germans, I did,” he noted. In his 1978 mockumentary, Peeping Times, Brooks portrayed Hitler at home, horrified when Eva Braun killed a bug. “How could you,” he asked. “It’s a living thing!”
Brooks’ works were arguably also tasteless, and certainly daring, but they maintained a rule of comedy in that the satire was directed at the powerful and the evil. Larry David’s jokes failed in large measure because he flipped the focus: the jokes weren’t at the expense of German leadership, but at the expense of the victims themselves.
Scorning and mocking the Nazis – and Hitler himself – became popular even during the war through Charlie Chaplin’s classic 1940 film The Great Dictator. The Marx Brothers spoofed the Germans in A Night at Casablanca (1948), and many WWII-era comedies likewise lampooned the enemy. In the 1960s, the television show Hogan’s Heroes featured American POWs secretly working for the Allies and showed their German captors as buffoonish and inept.
Holocaust Jokes: I Can’t Go There
The difference, as several comedians stated in The Last Laugh, is that it is good to make fun of evil, of Nazis. But jokes about the Holocaust itself are not. “The higher the stakes, the higher the standard,” observed comedienne Lisa Lampanelli. Even Mel Brooks agreed, saying he could make jokes about Nazis anytime, but jokes about the Holocaust itself? “I can’t go there,” he said.
Larry David has worked in edgy Holocaust themes before. During his show’s fourth season, he did an episode called “Survivor,” in which the character of David’s father was an actual Holocaust survivor who meets a young “survivor” from the TV show of the same name. The two argue about who had endured the worst indignities. In “The Last Laugh,” there is a scene where a real Holocaust survivor watches this episode and says to her daughter, “This isn’t funny.”
Comedians who traffic in Holocaust jokes (the foul-mouthed Sarah Silverman has done so inexcusably numerous times) demonstrate a sickening insensitivity to Jewish tragedy. This insensitivity is a natural outgrowth of distance in both time and in emotional connection to our history. It has spread well beyond the world of entertainment. In the apparel industry, five- and six-pointed yellow stars have appeared on shirts – some of them striped – were released by Gymboree, Miu Miu and Urban Outfitters. In 2014, Zara released a similar garment that was quickly dubbed a Holocaust shirt, showing they hadn’t learned much since 2007 when they issued a floral handbag sporting green swastikas. Silver rings with swastikas (Sears), Nazi skull logo tees (Walmart) and Xyklon-branded cross-trainers (Umbro) all demonstrate this abysmal ignorance.
I hope that Larry David reconsiders making more Holocaust jokes. To be that good representative of a Jew that he spoke about, he needs to honor and respect the pain we are still capable of feeling about the genocide of one-third of our people. As we move further and further away in time from the shattering trauma of the Holocaust, we need to redouble our efforts to feel that pain, and not trivialize it through jokes.
(33) nicole tabacznik, July 31, 2019 2:51 PM
He's lost his edge on his profession. He needs to step aside .
I find it hard to express what poor taste his comedy is. I never liked him to begin
with. This is one area , as you wrote the wrong party as made a joke of.
(32) Linda, November 16, 2017 2:01 AM
Ignorant
Larry David's remarks were just plain ignorant. He attempted a few jewish words that were not even recognizable!! It's obvious that he doesnt have any ties to the Holocaust or yiddish keit. Hopefully, he received an earful from his fellow Jewish comedian friends and others. He needs to appologise and make a big donation to a Jewish cause. That would be a good start..
(31) Deborah Barfield, November 10, 2017 4:13 PM
In my opinion, what Larry David did was so subtle that the point was missed. First he joked about the homeless, then the blind, then sexual harassment, then the holocaust. These are all issues that our latest President has dealt with in an insensitive manner; and he is deadly serious and has great power to do harm. I think this was meant by Mr. David to shock. After all, how can he be criticized for joking about these issues when in fact our President has brought up the exact issues. If that was the point he was trying to make, I got it.
(30) Bobby5000, November 10, 2017 2:19 PM
message
David is a Jewish man of the holocaust generation. Though aimed to be funny, his skits sometimes carry a message. One episode compared the term survivor used on the tv show with a concentration camp survivor. Here his joke I think showed the desperation in a camp as even basic companionship would be denied.
What I find deeply disturbing is the trivialization in other contexts as political figures or even ideas or compared with the holocaust. Not letting a conservative speaker on a campus express his view is wrong but those who do that are not Nazis and the administration is not Gestapo.
(29) Anonymous, November 10, 2017 12:17 AM
No
Tasteless is not the word. Both disgusting and an abomination Are the words for him and what he said
(28) Mike, November 9, 2017 4:43 AM
Not funny at all
Over the years I have had the privilege of getting to know many holocaust survivors. They have shared their stories with me and my family. I have shared meals with them, I have davened with them. Their stories are heartbreaking. I am often amazed that someone could rebuild a life after losing everything and everyone they know. The survivors are very special people who have forever changed my life. There is absolutely nothing funny about what Larry David said on SNL. Both he and Lorne Michaels should be ashamed. SNL has been going down hill for several years, but last Saturday was a new low. What's next, jokes about murder victims?
(27) Nancy, November 8, 2017 5:31 PM
An action I took
I wrote a letter to NBC and sent it to the attention of Lorne Michaels, who is the producer of SNL. (The latter is also Jewish, btw.) In my letter I said I was very offended by the monologue, and that Mr. David & Mr. Michaels owe an apology to every Jewish person in America. Will anyone read my letter? Who knows? For all I know it could be sitting in the garbage as I type, but I felt I needed to take action.
(26) Anonymous, November 8, 2017 4:28 PM
I am so sorry I accidently hit no instead of yes. in no way do I think any joke regarding the Holocaust or the Jewish people is funny or appropriate. God says He will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. This is without a doubt cursing.
(25) Anonymous, November 8, 2017 3:48 PM
He is not that funny anyway
Ive watched David on occasion when my husband was alive because he thought the guy was funny. I find him crass and obnoxious. His so called humor is abusive. He does not radiate the Jewish values I know. I find him a bit of an embarrassment.
(24) Anonymous, November 8, 2017 11:38 AM
I was a fan; now I'm not
I wants to convince the world he is only portraying a parody of himself on Curb. G'd bless those living and who have passed who endured such tremendous pain from barbarians throughout our history. Sadly, Larry David's family was almost entirely decimated in the holocaust and yet he has no perception of the horrors endured. In one 15 minutes of needing a laugh, he has destroyed, for me anyway, any desire to ever see his face or hear his non-humor again.
(23) Anonymous, November 8, 2017 11:27 AM
So upsetting
I watched in the shame Larry David should have felt as he made a fool of himself demeaning the horrific experiences and murder of 6 million of his brethren and the other millions of Holocaust victims. People keep talking about David's insensitivity, but I think his disgraceful remarks were rooted in pure arrogance. He thinks he is so powerful, successful and adored that he does not have to have any respect for others.
(22) Aviel, November 8, 2017 6:26 AM
re comedy the only criteria is are people watching and laughing all else including taste is a minor consideration at best
I think people miss the point.For comics there is no such thing as off limits and if one does not want gov't censorship one can choose not to watch just as many people don't go to prize fights, bull fights etc.In my experience while difficult because they are often funny I try and avoid ethnic jokes because true racists and antisemites will think, hey if a Jew, black woman etc is telling it and can laugh at it the event itself is not such a big deal so just get over it. Many people think the holocaust slavery and sexual exploitation are not real horrors but just normal life gone to excess. seems to me that they even vote in a way that confirms those beliefs
(21) john schlager, November 8, 2017 4:51 AM
Larry David shameless and disgusting
I could not believe what I was hearing. It was disgusting and shameless. I thought --"maybe he just doesn't get " it', But then--the last lines about the lady in the camp in the context of harrassment---that was just too much to tolerate---I won't be watching him any more... --
(20) Regina, November 8, 2017 4:07 AM
Great Response
I think the author's comments and analysis are right on target; we have every reason to believe that Larry David in real life DOES HAVE A FILTER and we can only hope that he has realized that his holocaust jokes are NOT FUNNY. Would he ever make jokes about the use of chemical weapons on Syrian children? Has the world gone completely mad??
(19) Anonymous, November 8, 2017 1:08 AM
" if you blame the Jews for Weinstein, you have to blame the Gentiles for the Holocaust. "
Sorry but I disagree.
I think this just answers antisemites to say that the Jews deserved to be annihilated due to these awful stories.
Every Chilul Hashem adds fuel to the fire.
(18) judy kamber, November 7, 2017 8:37 PM
Latke line
I think his last line: "What? What’d I say? Is it me or is it the whole thing?” was not a reaction to the SNL audience. It sounded to me like what his imaginary self would have said after the latke line to the woman he'd approached kind of fell flat.
(17) Jay, November 7, 2017 7:30 PM
Disgusting
If a non-Jew had made a 'joke' like that, the whole Jewish world would be crying bloody murder. This guy should be ashamed of himself. 'Inappropriate' is a massive understatement.
(16) Anonymous, November 7, 2017 7:24 PM
Disgraceful even to some none Jews
Camps of horrible treatment and death were not comedy's. Especially as a Jew Larry you should know and understand more...... On Yum Kippur we burn one candle in memory of our loved ones. The second candle is for the Six plus Million innocent Jews.......
(15) Anonymous, November 7, 2017 7:14 PM
No Pass For Mel Brooks
I agree with most of the author's comments, except for giving Brooks a pass on "The Producers". I thought it was in bad taste then and still do, and not funny. A very overrated film.To me thereis not much difference between David and Brooks on this matter.
(14) david wolf, November 7, 2017 6:41 PM
Larry David and the Holocaust jokes
A shanda for the Yidden...
(13) Malcolm Brown, November 7, 2017 5:56 PM
Maybe, maybe, a great line
This could be Larry David's best line! Not because it is funny , but because it ruptures the numbness to the horror that we have erected in order to live with the Holocaust day to day. When I first read David's punch line, and thinking of his character, I laughed. But, then the photos of the people in the concentration camps came vividly to mind as I imagined someone trying that line. How awful! How unimaginable! My eyes have teared up thinking about how terrible was the situation. David insensitive? Perhaps not. He pierced the veil.
(12) Anonymous, November 7, 2017 5:27 PM
SNL Shanda
The humor was in poor taste and SNL should never have addressed the matter in any manner. Remember Bernie Madoff and the hundreds of lives he destroyed. Shame on you SNL for finding humor in the matter.
(11) jose weiss, November 7, 2017 5:27 PM
creo que el comentarista no es comico sino idiota
(10) Morris Givner, November 7, 2017 5:11 PM
Larry David displayed a profound ignorance and gross stupidity
Larry David's comments were totally inexcusable and show gross stupidity and profound ignorance about what millions of totally innocent Jewish men ,women and children experienced in the German concentration camps from 1933-45.Hitler and his Nazi Government were elected in 1933.Lest We Forget!!!
(9) Anonymous, November 7, 2017 4:26 PM
Shame on you
Maybe you should have been in the camp and live the horrors. Over a million Jewish children were murdered. Close to 11 million adults murdered. Nothing funny about that. You are a disgrace to your people. Are your parents still alive to witness your behavior and attempts for humor.
(8) Shelly, November 7, 2017 4:15 PM
Shameful
I was a huge fan of Larry David up until Saturday. I don't watch SNL but only read about his tacky and very unfunny "joke". I have chosen to boycott his show "Curb Your Enthusiasm". I urge others to do so, as well. I stand with the six million.
(7) At!lene, November 7, 2017 4:03 PM
Stupid disgusting. Ugly. Insulting
It would be better it he disappeared from public life
Michelle, November 8, 2017 5:08 AM
Let's take a step back
Yes, Larry's jokes were in poor taste. He made a mistake and he is paying dearly for it. Let's relax though, and not issue him with death wishes. Again, it was a mistake, even though it was a pretty bad one. But he's suffering for it big time, and I'm sure he learnt his lesson. Save your hatred for the Nazis, they're the ones that deserve it.
Anonymous, November 8, 2017 4:48 PM
Disappearance from Public Life Is Not a Death Wish
All At!lene said was that "it would be better if he disappeared from public life." That is not wishing him dead, but rather wishing him to retire and live his life privately. I'm sure,after this insensitive joke, most people feel the same way.
Michelle, November 8, 2017 10:58 PM
Its still a vicious hatred
My point is not to hate him so viciously, he was insensitive and stupid, but not cruel. Know the difference. Educate yourself in who your true enemies are, and save your hatred for them.
(6) Bonnie Farkas, November 7, 2017 3:56 PM
I agree with the article 100%. Lampooning Nazis is one thing. Making a mockery of death camp experiences is a whole nother ballgame.
(5) Debra Reece Simons, November 7, 2017 3:38 PM
Larry David Appealing to the lowest common denominator
I think my points are relevant. Larry is funny most of the time but anything for a laugh is not always a good rule to live by.
(4) hfloch, November 7, 2017 3:36 PM
HORRIBLE
HORRIBLE
(3) Anonymous, November 7, 2017 3:18 PM
Larry David on SNL
Discusting! Never watch again
(2) Mordechai Bulua, November 7, 2017 1:43 PM
Appalling Lack of Judgment
There is nothing funny about making fun of victims of the Holocaust. David's insensitivity and callousness is appalling, especially coming from a Jew. Furthermore, he shows the same disdainful attitude toward women, treating them as objects, for which he accuses others of. He claims "I consistently strive to be a good Jewish representative." That is the only joke in his entire monologue! Shame on him!
(1) Nancy, November 7, 2017 12:33 PM
Tasteless doesn't even BEGIN to cover it!
The ONLY time I laughed during this routine was when he made reference to having IBS. Unfortunately I suffer from this malady, so I can relate. Aside from that very brief chuckle, nothing else in this routine was funny. IMO this man is only marginally talented and took a very low road when doing his monologue. UGH!!