Why all of the hate for Carlos Mencia? [Archive]

Han Ji-Eun

03-30-2006, 12:26 AM

I've been a bit puzzled lately as to why I've heard nothing but negativity towards Carlos Mencia and Mind of Mencia, from word on the street and from the internet.

Before he got his show, I saw his Comedy Central special a few years ago and I remember that my sister and I had never laughed so hard. Sure the show is dated now, but at the time I really liked it. Seeing him today on his own series, I don't think he's the single greatest comedian in the world or anything, but I think he's pretty funny, and he fills the void Chappelle left quite nicely.

So why does everyone hate him? Could someone illuminate the situation without resulting to petty "he sucks" or "he's not funny" comments?

Tay the Cat

03-30-2006, 12:45 AM

I have no idea why.

I think he's better than Dave Chapelle, and he's a P.O.D. fan so that makes my opinion of him even better.

Delthayre

03-30-2006, 12:52 AM

I just find him massively tiresome and stunningly witless. I suppose it's his self-righteously non-PC schtick. I'm far from an advocate of political correctness, but the supposed rebellion against it has become so self-satisfied and aggressive that I just want them to either shut up or find something new.

I don't find much compelling in Mencia's delivery or stage presence either. He seems to hit every beat and gag in a way that further deadens what I already find laughless. And I hate his, "duh-duh doooh," (or however that is best rendered) running... gimmick. For me, it's like kryptonite for cleverness.

So, all told, I harbor an ill opinion of Mencia because he seems to me to be nothing but another witless, dull racial hack exploiting his ethnicity and latent public guilt about being too wrong-headedly nice to minorities (PC) to deliver the same back-handed moral lecture I've already heard too many times.

If you want the short version: "He fails to make my laugh while simultaneously annoying me."

sdp

03-30-2006, 01:02 AM

I dont' know i just think he tries too hard and, his jokes are just not funny, just because something is controversial doesn't make it funny, i don't know, i just really dont' like his show.

ManicWebb

03-30-2006, 01:04 AM

People are just bitter Chappelle's Show was cancelled. Dave Chappelle was one of the best things to happen to Comedy Central since South Park. When he walked away and CC canned the show, one of the first things they did was give Mencia a show to "replace" it. People became bitter.

I've seen people who otherwise enjoyed Chappelle's racially-charged show sit back and complain that Mencia makes way too many jokes about being Latino. People have also tried to discredit him as a comedian by revealing that he isn't really Mexican, and that his real name is Ned Mencia. Changing your name means nothing in Hollywood and stand-up comedy (ask Jamie Foxx), and Mencia always tells people he's Honduran.

EinBebop

03-30-2006, 01:06 AM

Delthayre pretty well summed it up for me with the word "self-righteous". When he's just trying to be funny, he's pretty great. The first time I heard him was when he was promoting a show here in Bakersfield, and I laughed nonstop through his appearance. And I was really happy when I found out he had his own show. But there's too much "Ooh, can you believe I just said that?" or "Some guy approached me the other day and said I shouldn't say stuff like this..." followed up by self-justification and general preaching.

And that "Dee-dee-dee" thing is pretty lame.

Tapout

03-30-2006, 02:01 AM

Captain Harlock

03-30-2006, 02:16 AM

If you want the short version: "He fails to make my laugh while simultaneously annoying me."
The short version works. In order to be a successful comedian, you have to find a large audience that likes your material. Sure, there are people who say that so and so is not funny, but a comedian's success is vindicative of what the majority thinks. The majority thinks Mencia is not funny.

The Myst

03-30-2006, 04:11 AM

Mencia is one joke.

I had never heard of him before Mind Of Mencia. I saw one episode and I laughed my ass off. It was hilarious. Then, I tuned in for the next episode and realized "This is the same damn joke over and over. He hasn't said anything new yet." Every episode is the exact same joke.

Plus, his edgy stuff isn't really all that edgy. I think Patton Oswalt said it best.

PO: The truly dangerous people, and I’ve always maintained this about especially someone like David Cross -- who obviously I’m such a huge fan of -- when people go, “******* it, Cross is so ballsy and so edgy,” I actually don’t think he’s that ballsy and edgy, because he’s not consciously deciding to be dangerous and edgy. He doesn’t know any other way to think. And he thinks that what he thinks of is normal, and thinks, “Well, doesn’t everyone think of this?” He’s not a guy trying to say, “Look out, mother****ers! ‘Cause here it comes!” He’s just: “Don’t you think about this all the time?”

isoS: Right. And then on the other end of the spectrum, Carlos Mencia can’t stop talking about how earth-shattering --

PO: Oh my God. He’s a guy who announces he’s about to be edgy, starts a joke, in the middle of it stops to remind you he’s being edgy, and then congratulates the audience when he’s done with a joke for being brave enough to get through his edginess, and then warns them he’s about to be edgy again. If he would stop with the three warnings and the one congratulation for being edgy, he could cram three more jokes in there. Does he realize that? The truly edgy and dangerous are the ones that are puzzled by people’s reactions. Like Cross, who’s like, “Why is everyone so…?”

And then there's... *Sigh*... "Dee dee dee". That is just so horribly stupid, it amazes me.

Another thing, his beaner thing. I can't remember the last time I heard beaner used as an insult towards Mexicans. Mencia isn't taking the word back because nobody ever lost it.

staticblue

03-30-2006, 10:35 AM

you know, its funny that I found this thread. On myspace, if anyone has Charlie Murphy on their friends list, then you know that he really has hate for Carlos Mencia. And the hate he has for him are for those reasons you guys are mentioning. I think I have seen 2 episodes of his show in total, and one of them was last weeks season premier. I cant lie, I found some of his stuff funny (Wetback mountain) but after only watching those 2 episodes, I could already see past him and realize, hes making nothing but hispanically racial jokes. I think what sets him apart, from Chappelle, George Lopez, and many other comedians is the different jokes in which he tells. Lets look at the 2 previously mentioned comedians. Chapelle show was known for making a lot of racially charged jokes. But he is also known for making jokes about himself, his life, celebrities, and many more aspects about the things around him. some of his greatest jokes and sketches are not defined by race (rick james, Tyrone Biggums), but how hilarious the person and the situation is. George Lopez talks about mexicans a lot. what makes him different, and in my opinion, more funnier then Mencia, He talks about the mexicans in HIS life. He may make reference to hispanics, latinos, and mexicans in general from time to time, but if you watch Why you Cryin, its all about his family life. In the amount of time I have watched Mencia, I dont think i have ever heard him make comedic observations about his family life, or the world around him. For the most part, It's mostly been beaner jokes and de de deee. Now of course I could be wrong, but everyone knows the concept about first impressions. In no way am i saying I hate mencia or flaming him. but I can say this. His Gimmic has grown tyring on me, and for that reason, i have chosen not to give his show any more chances.

On a final note, someone mentioned that Mencia haters are bitter because his show replaced Chapelles and Chapelles got cancelled. We need to keep the facts straight. Chapelles show is NOT cancelled. Its on a loooooong hiatus, but it is not cancelled. Both Chapelle and Charlie Murphy have confirmed this. And I think those haters of Mencia probably see that his show seems like an obvious replacement for chapelles. I have no disdain for mencia AND Ive only seen 2 episodes and i can tell that his show is a replacement.

JohnCrichton

03-30-2006, 11:14 AM

Chapelles show is NOT cancelled. Its on a loooooong hiatus, but it is not cancelled. Both Chapelle and Charlie Murphy have confirmed this.

Ho-ho, what?! Where's this been said?

Tay the Cat

03-30-2006, 11:35 AM

Chapelles show is NOT cancelled. Its on a loooooong hiatus, but it is not cancelled. Both Chapelle and Charlie Murphy have confirmed this.
Both Dave Chapelle and Charlie Murphy have said MANY times that they're done with the show.

staticblue

03-30-2006, 12:56 PM

Both Dave Chapelle and Charlie Murphy have said MANY times that they're done with the show.

Both must have had a change of heart recently, cause chapelle went on Oprah and said hed return, of course there were certain stipulations. And Murphy has said that he isnt done with the show, hes just waiting on what Dave is going to do. now recently Dave has gotten into it with comedy central over showing the final 4 for this new season, but dave did say on oprah that he would like to continue season 3. and Murphy has said that hes waiting on what dave will do.

Tay the Cat

03-30-2006, 01:26 PM

Both must have had a change of heart recently, cause chapelle went on Oprah and said hed return, of course there were certain stipulations. And Murphy has said that he isnt done with the show, hes just waiting on what Dave is going to do. now recently Dave has gotten into it with comedy central over showing the final 4 for this new season, but dave did say on oprah that he would like to continue season 3. and Murphy has said that hes waiting on what dave will do.

Dave also said that if Comedy Central airs the four episodes, he's definitely not coming back.

SirLemming

03-30-2006, 01:41 PM

Because every time I see Mind of Mencia it's one of the least funny experiences of my life.

If you think he's funny, fine. But I don't think I've got any better explanation than that.

Pretentious

03-30-2006, 02:16 PM

He's not funny. "LOOK AT ME! I AM SCREAMING AND USING RACIAL STEREOTYPES YOU'VE HEARD A THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE! AREN'T I EDGY?" No, no you're not. You're annoying.

It doesn't really help that apparently, he's pretty notorious as a joke thief with both Joe Rogan and George Lopez calling him out on it (Lopez even going so far as to say he once punched out Mencia for stealing around 13 minutes of material from him).

He's one big ball of awfulness wrapped up in a chubby, annoying shell. He's ALMOST on a Dat Phan/Charlie Viracola/Ant level of awfulness and is at least as bad as Lisa Lampinelli.

SirLemming

03-30-2006, 03:35 PM

Wow, if it's true that he stole jokes from George Lopez, that's pretty sad. (I'm not assuming it's true, though. I have plenty of reasons to dislike him without having to believe every bad thing I hear about him.)

Oh, I forgot to post this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/SirLemming/lolethnicity.gif (http://lolethnicity.ytmnd.com)

But ethnic humor isn't his only problem. His other humor seems pretty awful too. The whole "Dee dee dee" thing, for example, is one of the worst attempts at a catch phrase I've ever seen in my life. The "Dee dee dee Awards" segment was truly terrible comedy. Astoundingly bad writing.

staticblue

03-30-2006, 03:57 PM

Dave also said that if Comedy Central airs the four episodes, he's definitely not coming back.

I seem to remember posting that in the quote you repeated above. In any respect, heres a direct quote from his myspace blog.

Here's some updates for all my fans, since I can't answer each and every email, this is the best way for me to keep everyone up to date.

Season 3 - No news at this point; however I still stand by my previous comments that if Comedy Central goes ahead and airs what they already have, it more likely than not, will end up with me not going back. I'd prefer to salvage some of what they have, and use it, adding new material; if they air it as they have it, it will violate the loose agreement we were working towards, to ensure my return. Please, I know everyone wants to see the show back as soon as possible, but please understand there are certain elements I can not discuss, for many reasons. This is all I can, and will say about the matter at this time.

Back on topic, I really find nothing entertaining about Mencia. And hearing that he stole jokes from Joe Rogan and George Lopez just makes me not respect him even more.

Tay the Cat

03-30-2006, 04:02 PM

It doesn't really help that apparently, he's pretty notorious as a joke thief with both Joe Rogan and George Lopez calling him out on it (Lopez even going so far as to say he once punched out Mencia for stealing around 13 minutes of material from him).

Both Rogan and Lopez have said that they and Mencia are on excellent terms. Lopez and Mencia did get into an altercation, but it wasn't over stolen jokes. They made up soon after, so it's not like they hate each other.

The thing with Rogan is bullcrap.

Daizaburo Estes

03-30-2006, 04:03 PM

HE'S NOT EVEN MEXICAN, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!

http://hopeinamerica.blogspot.com/2005/09/do-not-watch-mind-of-mencia.html

Tay the Cat

03-30-2006, 05:18 PM

HE'S NOT EVEN MEXICAN, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!

http://hopeinamerica.blogspot.com/2005/09/do-not-watch-mind-of-mencia.html
Yeah, he's from Honduras.

Doesn't make him any less funny. He's still Latino.

Tapout

03-30-2006, 08:39 PM

Both Rogan and Lopez have said that they and Mencia are on excellent terms. Lopez and Mencia did get into an altercation, but it wasn't over stolen jokes. They made up soon after, so it's not like they hate each other.

The thing with Rogan is bullcrap.

You must not be an Opie and Anthony fan. Rogan spent almost an hour trashing Mencia on O&A awhile back. This was a few months ago so it could be water under the bridge, but knowing Rogan I doubt it.

Classic Speedy

03-30-2006, 09:37 PM

I've watched Mind of Mencia a few times now and every time I just come away.... disinterested. I can name dozens and dozens of comics who are funnier than Mencia without thinking too hard, and most of his material just doesn't do anything for me.

Though I must admit I liked the satire of Isaac Hayes & scientology in a recent episode's cold open.

The Penguin

03-30-2006, 10:52 PM

I find him funny. I can definately concede the "look at how edgy I'm being" thing, but I watch TV to be entertained and Carlos manages to do that at some point during that half hour. I don't make a special effort to watch "Mind of Menica" but like a lot of things on basic cable, it's tough to avoid.

It doesn't really help that apparently, he's pretty notorious as a joke thief with both Joe Rogan and George Lopez calling him out on it (Lopez even going so far as to say he once punched out Mencia for stealing around 13 minutes of material from him).Wait a minute, back up, Joe Rogan has jokes to steal?

Hades

03-30-2006, 11:44 PM

Simple, it is the same reason people hate The Boondocks, they can't except the truth. I have not heard one thing out of either of those shows that were not true. Yes, they may sound racist, but the truth is racist, and the truth hurts, deal with it.

Delthayre

03-30-2006, 11:56 PM

Simple, it is the same reason people hate The Boondocks, they can't except [sic] the truth. I have not heard one thing out of either of those shows that were [sic] not true. Yes, they may sound racist, but the truth is racist, and the truth hurts, deal with it.

So, I cannot dislike Mind of Mencia or I'm not a racist?

Your logic eludes me and your impugning of anyone's right to objectively dislike Mind of Mencia annoys me.

Indeed, I would counter submit that you are insecure in your own preferences and opinions that you feel compelled to attempt to debase those contrary to your own in order to hold to it, thereby not only settling your quavery predilections, but also establishing yourself as superior.

Now, I doubt that is really true, but I neab it to illustrate how frustrating and foolish a game you attempted to play.

Daizaburo Estes

03-31-2006, 12:00 AM

Carlos Mencia just isn't funny. He's flat-out BORING and obnoxious, with no tact nor wit. Same stupid material EVERY FREAKING TIME. "BEANERS BEANERS BEANERS, DEE DEE DEE~! lololololO!!!!111 funneyz!!!!111! BLACKS AND MEXICANS ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHITE PEOPLE! Hur-hurhuuur-hur-hur! LOLOLOL!11"

Just my opinion, though.

Hades

03-31-2006, 08:10 AM

So, I cannot dislike Mind of Mencia or I'm not a racist?

Your logic eludes me and your impugning of anyone's right to objectively dislike Mind of Mencia annoys me.

Sorry, I was not referring to everyone, but a majority since everytime I hear someone say they don't like him, they call him racist or something.

staticblue

03-31-2006, 10:49 AM

Sorry, I was not referring to everyone, but a majority since everytime I hear someone say they don't like him, they call him racist or something.

I dont like Carlos Mencia's racial jokes because I think they are racists, I dont like them because he literally says the same stuff over and over again. If you watch Boondocks, or Chapelles show, their racially charged jokes cover the entire map, but all Mencia does is call mexicans beaners. An what the hell is a de de deeee!? He just made some junk up.

The Penguin

03-31-2006, 03:11 PM

An what the hell is a de de deeee!? He just made some junk up.It's the Mencia way of saying "what a moron".

ZorBrak

03-31-2006, 03:43 PM

You must not be an Opie and Anthony fan. Rogan spent almost an hour trashing Mencia on O&A awhile back. This was a few months ago so it could be water under the bridge, but knowing Rogan I doubt it.

Look, I don't like Mencia much either... he was funny for one minute... then the gimmick wore off. I waited for him to make jokes not involving race... and he couldn't... now he just tells the same joke over and over again. BUT JOE ROGAN IS THE DEVIL. I HATE HIM AND I HOPE HIS CAREER GOES DOWN IN FLAMES.

I need only two words.

Man Show.

ManicWebb

04-01-2006, 01:00 AM

People who say all of Mencia's jokes are about Mexicans obviously haven't seen his show. He makes fun of other races, the gay, the handicapped (both mentally and physically), and people in the news who just do stupid things. Next week's episode will make fun of women.

If you don't find Mencia's jokes funny, fine. I had a hard time laughing at Mitch Hedberg (and I refused to jump on the bandwagon of people who say he was brilliant now that he's dead). But don't count him out as a one-trick pony.

I just went to his website just now. The first jokes I heard playing in the background:
-Lowering the standards of standardized tests makes us look stupid
-Parents not disciplining their kids enough
-American astronauts invented a new type of pen for writing in space, but the Russians just used an F'ing pencil
-Basketball players doing stupid things
- Adults who complain about working at McDonalds would have better jobs if they didn't get straight D's in school.
-If your erection lasts for more than 4 hours and you don't realize you need to see a doctor without a commercial telling you, you're an idiot.

Tapout

04-01-2006, 03:16 PM

Look, I don't like Mencia much either... he was funny for one minute... then the gimmick wore off. I waited for him to make jokes not involving race... and he couldn't... now he just tells the same joke over and over again. BUT JOE ROGAN IS THE DEVIL. I HATE HIM AND I HOPE HIS CAREER GOES DOWN IN FLAMES.

I need only two words.

Man Show.
I wasn't praising Joe Rogan for anything. I was just responding to the poster who said the animosity between Rogan and Mencia was bogus. And not to turn this into another Man Show thread, but Joe & Doug, unlike Adam & Jimmy, just had scripts handed them and did their lines. They had little to no creative control in the abortion the Man Show had become.

BTW, Rogan does kick ass calling UFC events.

Mittenz

04-01-2006, 05:08 PM

To be honest, I like Carlos Mencia and his material, not that I'm racist, but because I like jokes like these, just as long as it's used for entertainment purposes only and not if he really means it (I'm sure he doesn't mean it for real). Just because we make jokes about someone or something, it doesn't mean we hate what we're making fun of.

ManicWebb

04-03-2006, 02:45 AM

And Mencia takes a crack at Kanye West's inflated ego without relying on Mexican jokes.

JLApe

04-03-2006, 12:31 PM

I find Mencia funny at times. At times when he's not doing stand-ups. At times when he's not saying "de de deeee" because that is as lame-brained as the people he makes fun of. And at times when he is not overkilling the racial jokes (which is quite often in the stand-up segments).

Other than those times, he's actually quite entertaining. The "Confucious Carlos" segment is hilarious. So is the mock Kanye West video segment, which is also the only time "de de deeee" doesn't sound so ridiculous. The segment where he got Peter Boyle to read a letter from a disgruntled fan is a riot.

But I can understand why many don't like him. He does not have the same level of brilliance as Chappelle in the range of subject material and ways of delivering and spinning them. Still, he isn't that bad.

Damien

04-04-2006, 04:10 AM

I wish so, SO much that I was not the only one where I am that doesn't like him. Everytime I talk comedy or satire with someone, they ask me if I've seen his show, and then I have to explain that everytime I see a promo for his show, I just wanna drown myself in gasoline for accidentally absorbing his ranting into my ears and eyes.
That's not a knock on his fans. Different strokes.
I just wish he could at least make me crack a smile. But no, no. I can't get past the ignorance. I feel like Peter in that one Family Guy episode.

Comedian: So, how about that airline food?
Peter: Oh, that's not fair. Those cooks work really hard.

To answer the question posed by the thread's title, because he's overrated and hyped up, and for all the wrong reasons at that.

The Myst

04-05-2006, 06:33 PM