Trump's Comedy Crisis: Even Satirists Are Stunned! What Happens Now?

The age-old question of whether Donald Trump is *actually* funny sparked a lively debate amongst some of the brightest comedy writers working today. Six nominees for the Writers Guild Awards, all vying for recognition in the Comedy/Variety Series – Talk or Sketch category, took on the surprisingly complex issue during a 90-minute discussion hosted by the Writers Guild of America on Wednesday night. The panel, moderated by Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk, didn't shy away from the thorny question, leading to some genuinely insightful – and hilarious – back-and-forths.

Trump's Comedy Crisis: Even Satirists Are Stunned!...

Zhubin Parang, a writer for "The Daily Show," didn't pull any punches. He declared that Trump *is* indeed funny, both intentionally and unintentionally. "The guy knows how to tell a joke," Parang explained, adding, "The guy knows how to be mean in a very funny way." Parang's argument centered on Trump's "bottomless well of pettiness," suggesting that these moments of unfiltered spite are, paradoxically, "endearing." I have to admit, there's a certain trainwreck appeal to watching someone so powerful act so…small. It’s the human condition amplified, perhaps.

However, not everyone agreed. While Jill Twiss, a writer for "Have I Got News for You," confessed to finding Trump funny, she pointed out a crucial distinction: "I don’t think he laughs. I don’t think he’s ever enjoyed anyone else’s humor.” That’s a fascinating point. Can someone be funny if they themselves don't appreciate humor? It gets to the core of what makes something truly comedic, doesn’t it?

Adding to that thought, Hegel chimed in with the observation that Trump would have to "lower [his] status for a moment," something he'd never deign to do. Jon Glaser, nominated for his work on the unfortunately short-lived ESPN series "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce," perhaps unsurprisingly, strongly disagreed with the idea of Trump's humor altogether. As the discussion unfolded, it was clear that the panel saw Trump’s humor as more of a reflection on our society than any genuine comedic talent on his part. Is it funny because *he's* funny, or because *we're* laughing *at* him?

The back-and-forth was punctuated by witty rejoinders and sharp observations, making for a truly engaging discussion. It seems that even the professionals are still grappling with the Trump phenomenon, and the question of his comedic value remains open for debate, even amongst the writers who are trying to make sense of it all. We'll see which of these talented writers take home a WGA Award on March 8th in New York and Los Angeles. And I suspect, whether they admit it or not, they'll all be keeping a close eye on the former president for future material.