Lewis Black - Politics, Prayer and Profanity Through Comedy

Subscribe to our page to see every lecture at CHQ this season!
Visit our website at chq.org for more information about our lectures.
From disgusting comedy clubs to the prestigious White House Correspondents’ dinner, Lewis Black has stood on a lot of stages over the course of his career. The Amphitheater podium from which he spoke Monday morning was different, though. “I don’t know if you realize that what goes on here, now, is completely counter to what’s occurring in the country,” Black said. “So you have to realize,” he continued, “that this, what you’re doing, is wrong.” Opening Week Six: “Comedy and the Human Condition,” Black - the comedian, social critic and noted “king of rant” - dove straight into discussing the dichotomy between Chautauqua’s scholasticism and the rest of America’s insistent lack thereof.
For more information about this lecture, please visit chqdaily.com/2017/07/lewis-bla...

[@robinsanders5541]

Lewis Black is probably one of the greatest comedians in American history. His capacity to make the whole audience lose it with just a grumpy look is breathtaking.

[@dogbarbill]

Fantastic. Comedians such as Lewis and Carlin (RIP George) always have their finger on the pulse of what's going on in life.

[@snate56]

There oughta be a Nobel Prize for Comedy.

[@jp12x]

The Nobel Prize is funded by endowments. Give them a massive amount to fund it and they will give a prize for comedy.

[@snarflcat7988]

Instead, when a comedian is elected to Congress, they get exiled for making a joke. After. Electing. A. COMEDIAN.

[@kathrynmcelroy5658]

If government would only listen to this type of reason. Thank you Lewis Black for this incredible and truth to power commentary!

[@vaughanlancellas495]

This man is brilliant, simply brilliant .....full stop, no argument no nothing, just brilliant!!!!!!

[@oakdryad1962]

Lewis, I adore you and hope you never stop saying Fuck and any other words you desire. You are my hero.

[@roywarriner8441]

Bob Newhart is a comedic genius, 90 yrs old and still relevant. Use humour in the classroom and don't punish students for being funny. Lewis is one of my favorite comedians, love the rants.

[@pedinomefaux]

thank Lewis for the laughter and shelter from the insanity of today's world. we love you man.

[@tomitstube]

lewis starts @ 8:18. i love his election (trump) jokes and pan of the camera, the people who don't clap are of a particular enjoyment for me, comedic revenge best served cold. the amish joke was hilarious you pricks. lewis is a treasure, one of the greats.

[@terrymosholder313]

I loved your reference to how audiences react to your ending on your insights into the social injustice mentality ill people endure. I have a mentally ill step son. He is 41 years old and cannot find the door or door knob to get help. We struggle daily to open that door for him but our health care system has hidden the doors or bolted them charging too much for the key. When I first heard you say “but they are mentally ill and can’t find the door knob” I laughed until my ass fell off and bounced off my heels. Then I thanked God someone challenges us uncaring dimwitted public with the truth bursting out of laughter. Then I thought Fuck, thank Lewis too. Thank you Lewis.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

I regularly search "Lewis Black" for anything new, and the well has been dry for a while. This was a treat, excellent.

[@jenk5721]

me too! so glad to see this.

[@jeanieblack]

An Excellent "FEAST" To Say The Least, LEWIS !!! 💝🎭🇺🇸🔮📹🌠💕🎇💝🎆💕🎭💝

[@charlesbeck9318]

@@jenk5721 I agree, I really love watching his rants.

[@ronshuffler8298]

@@jeanieblack CFC pin

[@RustyCurtainsSound]

Exactly the same !

[@PlasticChaser]

Such a great speech. That would be ridiculously hard to give a speech like that, but he nailed it.

[@nedthumberland]

This is GOLD. Thank you. What an honest and wonderful speech!

[@jeliarra]

Love you Lewis, may you live forever.

[@thewritestuffindy]

He will live forever in our hearts.

[@ismaelamaya9755]

My favorite jew...after Jesus Christ

[@susandombrowski4764]

He's ot dead for Chist's Sake

[@lovegodsomuch8094]

The best, the very best monologue ever... I was in an IHOP and I heard the waitress say, “if it weren’t for my horse....” omg dying!

[@BlondeGramma]

I Love Lewis Black's sense of humor ... He's the best ...

[@rosemarycantwell7939]

Yes he is

[@mykkie100]

Lewis Black, what honesty, with the simplicity of truth!

[@hannahmore9118]

The very best teachers use comedy. A funny point can help a student remember the lesson.

[@stephenwest7480]

Without a doubt one of the funniest people on earth, his observational humour is so on point every time. Louis Black you are the shit.

[@LtSaynt]

Kathleen Madigan and Lewis Black are godamned national treasures.

[@janmedeus3070]

"I KNEW THERE WOULD BE A BABY HERE!" Dead.

[@Kn3rd5oftheRoundTable]

He is right up there with the greats like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Lenny and then Lewis Black. Epic comedians that are/were more philosophers than comedians

[@toddfedoruk1998]

"I'm delighted and appalled to be here..." Brilliant!

[@cyberbiker007]

Todd Fedoruk i

[@donnagoupil164]

Todd Fedoruk I just saw

[@gregorys6838]

Now that was powerful. The audience standing up was icing on the cake.

[@squamish4244]

This guy is very smart and very educated. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale.

[@Augmuse]

Lewis Black one of the comedy genius’ of our time. He is right up there with Carlin….

[@kenwalz7231]

GREAT VIDEO! SEEING LEWIS IN A DIFFERENT SHOW THEN THE STAND-UP WAS VERY INTERESTING.....KEEP GOING LEWIS WE NEED YOUR HUMOR NOW MORE THEN EVER!

[@Kennedy4OurCountry]

Dude...that was 3 years ago! You thought it was bad THREE YEARS AGO?! Hahahaha!!!!

[@janawade5317]

One of the speechs I've heard. Lewis is so 🤓 smart. Just wish our government officials could realize how f*cked up they've made our country! Yea! Lewis

[@loiswright6838]

a national treasure he is!!

[@Tupelo927]

What a FABULOUS treat! Lew is a national treasure!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Rebecca

[@patricklewis891]

I rarely hear him speak about Kathleen Madigan an so that was nice. I wish he would have a show with her and their golfing trips with Ron white and other comedians. It would be comedy gold.

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

Love me some kathleen🤗

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

Comedians In Carts Roasting Caddies

[@peetrpeetr]

What a hard crowd; at least a third of them shouldn't even be there.

[@davidkoloc1313]

Or, really really need to be.

[@scoob4u]

Wonderful speech, Lewis! Funny & brilliant, as usual!

[@nelsonlugo9777]

Nichole Nace 8

[@henrybliss8495]

Nichole Nace N. N Jhhyyjhhuuj

[@jenk5721]

i adore lou and his humor

[@grannyjudi1]

he was outstanding.....took my sister and her husband...for a gift. Best gift ever!!

[@stormwatcher59]

That's a gift I'd love! :)

[@michaelkrueger6600]

Judi Lutzwoods fkasAsw

[@dozog]

Judi Lutzwoods. Why did he take your sisters and her husband. Or, it's a bit arrogant to say your gift is the best gift ever.

[@humanforotherhumans]

Dozo G you are not smart or funny.

[@dozog]

humanforotherhumans. Thanks for your substantial observation.

[@PeterCombs]

Thanks Lewis.! Always great..

[@glizze117]

❤️ you Lewis Black!!!!!

[@margaretfleming2151]

Just love him.........he says things that we only think of.......go get em tiger

[@mustardseed308]

It's ok to laugh & it's ok to be weepy.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

@11:51 Troglodyte woman pecking way on her phone: "What? Did I miss something funny?" This scene perfectly captures what Black said about, "...it's all your fault." Huge props to the director the the tie-in!

[@racheladkins6060]

He’s crying, I love Lewis. I submitted something to him on his podcast The Rantcast, I’m glad it meant something to him.

[@mitchmcbride2350]

The "Karens" in the audience are way too obvious

[@ImoonPeople]

That was fantastic! Thank you Lewis.

[@iamanomas]

I just adore him.

[@curmudgeon1933]

This audience shows the true diversity of the American ruling class. I'm thinking they see themselves as liberal, religious folk, and broad-minded and good, not racist and intolerant. But they will also support Trump against Bernie Sanders to avoid having to share some of their considerable wealth, no matter how detestable they consider Trump as a person. As Lewis says 'a place so idyllic and precious it can leave one mildly nauseous'. Rich people in a gated bubble being earnestly 'good'.

[@squamish4244]

Yes...but I'd still prefer these people who come to listen to Lewis Black than the people who stormed the Capitol and horrendously mishandled the pandemic etc. The incompetence mixed with wanton cruelty of audiences that might pack other places - I'll take smug earnestness over that any day.

[@lempweiroiie7377]

I dedicate this piece to Lewis Black, my hero of comedy... The court was packed from walls to walls, spectators even sat on the floor. An old uncle took his oldest and 6yrs. old grandson and they sat on the floor. The proceeding was so long, the uncle leaned side-ways and tried to let out a fart as quietly as he could. When people looked, he patted his grandson, "Don't do that..." At the 3rd time, the grandson stood up and said, "You farted grandpa!" People cracked up almost kill the court case..

[@nielshenze2258]

Awesome. Simply brilliant. Mr. Black is a legend.

[@leitzagould8357]

`watching Lewis and experiencing his genius is so healing

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello leitza

[@hopefulskeptic42]

Does anyone else think that Lewis and Ron White should do a "Black and White Comedy Tour"?

[@lovegodsomuch8094]

H R Holden ha!

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

With Kathleen sandwiched between

[@dalebriles1528]

Wow. Love the speech.

[@oldgymrat71]

One of us good ones!

[@thomaspinter5352]

I was fortunate to grow up near Chautauqua and to attend many lectures,concerts and plays. It was interesting to see Louis Black there and enjoyed his rant.

[@thomaspinter5352]

sorry...Lewis

[@deniseg812]

Important Vonnegut book. Player Piano. We are living it.

[@phubarnow5388]

I believe you should actually read the book? OR quite taking literary fiction so literally.

[@janishart5128]

At 14:59: People with smug, annoyed looks on their faces, like they DON'T appreciate what's being said!! 😆

[@donkeyfatsack]

This man is without question, one of the greatest comedians of all time!

[@larryfulkerson4505]

We love you Lewis.

[@javiersoriano4803]

Exactly 50 per cent of the audience did not laugh at the election joke. Theres America "the beautiful."

[@mustardseed308]

Yep, some of your audience were judgemental for sure. They need to get the stick out and laugh a little.😁🤣😄

[@TheNeeenha]

I saw that poster in a head shop when I was young..should have bought it it be worth a fortune now

[@dusanvuckovic17]

WOW! the audience was like an old Benneton ad, so many shades of white.

[@PaidSearch]

They must be racist!

[@OneAdam12Adam]

You're point is?

[@clumsiii]

"This is why I don't give fukin speeches." - Lewis Black

[@JustinVermilyea-ix2ye]

Lew is the epitome of intelligence and comedy thank you

[@maureen669]

Lots of people laughing which is fantastic but boy that audience is typical tightassed upstate NY.

[@rogerpalacios6131]

Watching some of the people in the audience who weren't laughing makes think that they are exactly those folks that Lewis was talking about not having a sense of humor but think of themselves very funny people. And boy I've never seen a whiter room. Yeah, I said it, go ahead PC that.

[@jzthompson9598]

ikr

[@moohoward]

Cost money to stay at Chautauqua. Beautiful place, clean, quiet, conducive to self reflection and solving problems. No broken windows, trash on the street, loud music blaring ETC. Interesting.

[@mustardseed308]

Luv U Lewis Black!

[@marywood8794]

Lewis is great! It's ironic that he talked about Bob Dole at the end since he died this week. So true what Lewis says here about public people that don't connect with the public because they're not be being genuine...being themselves.

[@ddab918]

Thank you Lewis for again making my day better. I hope someday that you get "prayer" because it will be for you an new unmined field of fodder for jokes, even as you came to a belief in its power. You are a gift to us from God, I believe, for no matter what your critics say, they can't say that you lie...no, your humor is truthful albiet to some, offensive. But , hey, sometimes the truth hurts, but I would rather hear a hurtful truth than a f'g lie from some SOB with his/her own agenda to keep us/me down and away from TRUTH!..So, .Lewis, please keep telling us the truth in your inimitable way. God bless you.

[@outs78]

It's a good thing your god made him an atheist.

[@rlwalker2]

Wonderful talk.

[@g.h.1472]

Hes alittle older than he waa since snl. So hes human an has some shakes. Hes super man with crazy powers. Hes a talent he says what people wish they could but better.

[@LuvLite]

I’ve never seen so many miracle ears in one place.

[@JMack42]

Oh, Lewis, you are the most wonderful comedian in the world! I cannot tell you how great I think you are and THANK YOU SO MUCH for being YOU. You are so special and my most favorite comedian, period. THE BEST!

[@earnestmetz9834]

I don't agree with much of Lewis Blacks politics, but I think he is one of the funniest guys ever. I love his comedy and it always make me think, and laugh at the absurdities of life and what we think we know.

[@donduck6621]

well hes a obiden voter

[@sharonmullins1957]

I foresee us being on "lockdown" forever. Found a whole Lewis Black list, yea!!!!!!!!

[@GeorgeWagner-dv3fe]

I think your great Lewis Keep it up. I'm a big fan

[@atomant451]

Lewis is telling truth, and everybody laughs! nothing Lewis is saying is funny. Lewis is throwing our stupidity in our faces, and we laugh? Lewis is a cold splash of water in the face, nothing to laugh at. Still love his rants.

[@jkbjkb8899]

National treasure

[@dutchpy1]

What a show. LOL. A great "lecture" from Black. Funny to watch reactions in the audience.....easy to pick the Trump voters.....

[@Nikosi9]

That audience was the face of America. I didn't think they would get it, but they did... (most of them)

[@BrandonOsborn404]

This chatauqua had a bigger crowd than the Trump inauguration, and it didn't rain.

[@Pannemat]

10:05, worst spy cam ever! Lol.

[@gessie]

A very interesting performance, though I don't quite get why the Chuatauqua Institution is incapable of balancing audio.

[@fredherfst8148]

Brilliant

[@davestambaugh7282]

How many stand up guys do you know who get so many cheers in place of laughter as Lou does?

[@DrRussPhd]

Lewis comes on at 8:39

[@jeanetteyorba198]

Thank you.

[@claracalifornia]

The biggest laugh in my room was in the silence after the question..... in this world where almost everything is funny..... Do you think we will eventually be de-synthesized to comedy?

[@OHVSCA]

Is there a transcript for this? I’d love to read it and ponder it 👍🏻

[@Kennedy4OurCountry]

Whoa some of the audience shots are actually scary...33:33 'just because someone is in charge doesn't make them right' Audience shot: Stonehenge. Damn.

[@barblessable]

Its fun spotting the "poker up the arse" members of the audience , why go to hear a comic and be so determined not to laugh.

[@ianruss]

Based on the some of the face reactions or the lack of reactions from the audience, sense of humor is not one of their strongest traits.

[@MrJooberdoober]

Bunch of conservatives up there as well!

[@whatabouttheearth]

Ya there is a huge awkward tension with this crowd.

[@maureen669]

Because way upstate NY is a special section of Hell. Pockets of tightassed red in a Blue State.

[@remaster1981]

@@maureen669 as someone who lives out there, I can say with confidence, that you are 100% correct in your assessment. It's absolute trash out here.

[@njosborne6152]

Comedy? Fuck! It’s more like reality. Thanks man!

[@earlofsmeg]

Anger- Lewis Black thy name.

[@mshioty]

08:30

[@billkingston4402]

Was never any good with morning lectures myself however I was a student

[@clumsiii]

26:40 "So, are there people who just aren't funny? Who are bereft of a sense of humor. Maybe the Amish? I've always wondered about them, and who hasn't?"

[@kathypeaseleers1837]

Getting me through the pandemic and that demon Trump... wait... demon, much too mild a word. Love you!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Kathy

[@janawade5317]

Would like to know what Lewis thinks of Pres Biden. Can't possibly miss that he IS not capable to run anything! How do they hide the strings they're pulling behind the ridiculous scene?

[@mtviking2706]

Lewis Black is right up there with George Carlin as comedy royalty. The void with the loss of Carlin is a large one but Black helps to fill it. It will be such a sad day for the world when we lose Lewis Black. I don’t see anyone in the next generation of comedians that have even a fraction of talent as him.

[@Flossy350]

On weekends, badminton. Fuccking GOLD MAN

[@jackoboyle2833]

Lewis Black, you are as a voice crying out in the wilderness.

[@loonienews4304]

Thanks again,Sir Lewis, you woulda been a great politician.

[@renzo6490]

Black comes on at 8 minutes 30 seconds..after intros !

[@edub9930]

You know the country's in trouble when comedians start making more sense than politicians

[@crowfoot7355]

Lewis Black 😅🤣😂🤭👍👍👍