Graphic and Downright Disgusting

By Kristine Kostuck
Contributing Writer

It always starts the same way. A family, or a member of a family, goes to see a talent agent. The agent asks what this family can do. So, a member of the family either gives a detailed description or the entire family shows him. Inevitably, their act is graphic and downright disgusting, but the talent agent seems to be amused, and kindly waits until their act is finished before asking them, “what do you call this?” Their response is always the same, “The Aristocrats.”

The Aristocrats joke was around for a long before it was told through film in 2005. The joke was said to be Johnny Carson’s favorite. And after Carson’s death in January of that year, the film was dedicated to him. “The Aristocrats” film is an independent documentary, which consists of 100 of the nation’s most beloved comedians, such as Chevy Case, George Carlin and Sarah Silverman, telling the same joke but with each family performing a different act.

The act is meant to shock the audience. The family performs things like murder and incest, while the comedian is using as much potty humor and excess profanity as possible, with the joke still making sense. Every comedian tries to draw the act out as long as possible, usually until they run out of nauseating content. Even the most open-minded are left thinking “that’s so inappropriate, should I even laugh?”

Most comedians have no trouble offending someone in the joke, or if not offending, then turning their stomachs. Despite this, there is an art behind these sick jokes, and that is improv. Some stand-up may be prepared, but most of what makes it funny is the way it’s told. The film was recognized as an insightful sociological documentary.

Now Fargo-Moorhead will get a taste of this filth as man-about-town Zach Kobrinsky is bringing “The Aristocrats” routine to the Aquarium. A fan of shock and satire humor himself, Kobrinsky saw this as a chance for other lewd humor lovers to spread their dirtiest thoughts to their community. “There are a lot of sick people here, and when you get together with friends, everyone jokes about these touchy issues.”

As of now, comedians from all over Fargo-Moorhead, like Adam Quesnell, a sometime performer at Courtney’s Comedy Club, will take the stage. But Kobrinsky is taking the names of anyone interested in performing. This includes college students or even the elderly, if they have a sick sense of humor and want to let their dirtiest thoughts loose.

The only question left is can Fargo-Moorhead, a place built on small-town community values and family dinners, handle the sickest show we have seen since Gwar’s last performance.

Kobrinsky is confident that even though this will be one of the most offensive events this town has seen, “The Downtown scene for sure is ready, and I’m excited.”
The show starts at 9 pm on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday the 13th, at the Aquarium. It is a cover-free event, and if anyone is interested in performing, contact Zach at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  He is open-minded about the performers including music or a theme in their joke. “I think I would give a dollar to anyone that Star Wars themes their joke,” he said. “I know anyone can get up there and talk about this stuff. It’s really the creativity and delivery that will make or break this.”
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If You Go

What: The Aristocrats
Where: The Aquarium
When: Sat, March 13, 9 pm
Info: 701.235.5913