The Aristocrats Is Turning 20 This Week, So Here Are My Favorite Versions Of The Joke In The Movie

The first time I witnessed “The Aristocrats” was an unforgettable event for me. I watched it at the vintage United Artists Theater in Union Square, New York City. To celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary this week, I decided to revisit some of the countless versions of the filthiest and most hilarious Aristocrats jokes by activating my Prime subscription.

The first time I witnessed such uncontrolled laughter was during the movie, titled “The Aristocrats,” directed by Penn Gillette and Paul Provenza, featuring a multitude of comedians and actors. This movie is unique because it actually caused people to fall out of their chairs laughing. To put it frankly, this film is the funniest one I’ve ever encountered in a theater setting. Now, let me share an interesting story: A family once walked into a talent agent’s office and told seven hilarious variations of The Aristocrats joke.

By using more conversational language like “without further ado” becoming “Now, let me share,” and replacing technical terms like “documentary” with “movie,” the paraphrase maintains the original meaning while making it easier to read and understand.

Cartman Goes Way Off The Deep End On South Park

In my viewpoint, the most outrageously funny rendition of The Aristocrats among all is undeniably Cartman’s in “South Park”. Unlike the conventional version, his tale unfolds into a shocking narrative that even includes 9/11 casualties. I witnessed this film in New York City and can attest to the fact that the audience was taken aback by its audacity, yet they couldn’t help but find it uproariously funny – an unexpected response from a city where such humor might be deemed excessive. However, it didn’t go too far for them, and it stands tall among the best episodes “South Park” has ever produced.

Bob Saget Gets Really Dirty

It’s well-known now that the late Bob Saget, renowned for shows like Full House and America’s Funniest Home Videos, was actually quite a risqué comedian. To be honest, I hadn’t fully grasped the explicit nature of his standup until recently. A glance at one of his jokes, which he shared without delivering the punchline, mere moments before hitting the stage, certainly opened my eyes to his boundary-pushing humor. It’s worth noting that Saget always made sure to preface his explicit material with a disclaimer, stating that he neither endorses nor condones the content of the joke itself.

Billy The Mime Quietly Cracks Me Up

In an intriguing twist on the humor, the character Billy the Mime, portrayed by comedian Steven Banks, delivers a silent rendition of the joke in the movie. As a mime, he enacts the entire risqué story without uttering a word on the bustling street. By this stage in the film, the audience has grasped the joke, making each mime gesture by Billy all the more impactful and silent yet powerful. At that moment in the documentary, there’s no sound except for the hearty laughter of the audience, serving as the entire soundtrack.

Gilbert Gottfried Is The GOAT

Gilbert Gottfried delivered two hilarious takes on his joke for the movie. Initially, the audience encounters Gottfried seated at a table in what appears to be an executive boardroom, spewing out the most shockingly funny remarks. True to form, Gottfried didn’t shy away from being as offensive as he could be. Performing without a live audience, he nailed it brilliantly.

On a second occasion, we encounter the late, renowned comedian Gottfried. His performance of the joke during the Hugh Hefner Friar’s Club Roast could potentially have sparked Gillette and Provenza to narrate the story. It is uncommon (and remains so) for comedians to tell this kind of joke on stage, but Gottfried bravely attempts it, and his filthy yet side-splitting delivery leaves Rob Schneider in stitches – literally! This rendition might just be the ultimate version of The Aristocrats joke.

Kevin Pollack Channels Christopher Walken

Kevin Pollak, now renowned for his numerous roles in hit films such as “A Few Good Men,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Casino,” and “Grumpy Old Men,” initially began his career as a stand-up comedian. His impersonations, particularly of Christopher Walken, gained fame through appearances on talk shows. In the film “The Aristocrats,” Pollak delivers one of the most memorable moments by narrating the joke as if he had heard it from Walken himself. Although it’s a shorter version, it stands out for its brilliance.

Sarah Silverman Makes It Personal

One method to deliver a joke effectively is by immersing yourself into the situation, metaphorically speaking, similar to how Sarah Silverman approaches it. She herself refers to being an “Aristocrat.” She’s neither ashamed nor seeks to sensationalize it. The actions and antics she describes from her family’s act are as outrageous as any other in the documentary. Her deadpan delivery is spot-on. Her punchline, which I won’t reiterate here, reportedly came close to earning her a lawsuit from Joe Franklin.

Eric Mead Lays His Cards On The Table

I absolutely adore card tricks and close-up magic, so watching magician Eric Mead’s rendition of a joke with cards is quite unique. While it may not be the funniest interpretation in the movie, it likely required the most effort to perfect. It’s exceptionally well-executed, and I find myself rewatching it again and again, still amazed at how he manages all those tricks without a clue as to his methods.

What makes “The Aristocrats” such an exceptional documentary, rather than just a collection of comedians delivering progressively filthy versions of the same joke, is its diverse interpretations like Mead’s. For instance, Steven Banks as Billy The Mime or the unmentioned one, Rita Rudner, who offers her “clean” version that concludes with a naughty punchline. It’s these captivating differences that make both the film and the joke so amusing.

In this movie, there are numerous standout scenes that I missed out on, such as Robin Williams’ storytelling on a Northern California beach, which shares similarities with Drew Carey’s rendition. Mario Cantone’s portrayal of Liza Minnelli telling the same tale is equally impressive. Throughout the entire documentary, there isn’t a single moment that fails to entertain. While The Aristocrats may not appeal to everyone, it remains one of my all-time favorites.

2025-08-13 01:02