7) Seth Rogen
No one lets out an angry and exasperated “fuck” quite like Seth Rogen (except for, possibly, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Punch-Drunk Love). But that’s only part of his comedic charm. It always sounds stupid to try to rationalize humor, but I’ll try anyway: one of the things I find that really works about Rogen’s comedy is the casualness and self-consciousness with which he delivers the jokes. This can range from various throwaway lines in Knocked Up that we barely even notice or remember to memorable improvised riffs alongside Paul Rudd or Steve Carell.
I say this because it’s kind of analogous to the way he’ll throw in swear words to his dialogue. It’s so casual that you barely even notice, as though he doesn’t even think of the possibility that anyone might be sensitive to strong language in this day and age. Or to use the parlance of modern day youngsters, he doesn’t give a single fuck. And it’s this cavalier attitude that is the source of the majority of his likeability and humor. That’s what I think, anyway, when I try to seriously consider why he makes me laugh i.e. when I feel like wasting time and brain energy.
Published: Mar 14, 2014 10:28 am