Jameel Darwish, UIN#668018009

Marc Baez

ENG 161 (32676)

9/4/2014

Summary of David Cross - Tasteless, Odorless

David Cross is a standup comic, actor, and writer. He grew up poor, and dropped out of

college after one semester to pursue comedy. He is very thoughtful and forward thinking, such as

his criticisms of Larry the Cable Guy as homophobic, racist, and ‘stupid’, as well as his active

political views of the right.

In the clip Cross outlines the wasteful unnecessary luxuries of high society. I believe the

main point of the clip was how ironically unnecessary and wasteful people can be with money.

For example, when was confused about the waiter’s ‘silver tablet’. When he realized it was for

his wine, he joked about how unnecessary the ‘silver ride’ was for the wine by sarcastically

commenting on how the only one who actually cared for the service was the wine! Cross also

ridiculed the grand dessert, which was topped with a sheet of gold. He emphasized how this

obviously expensive gold sheet, that was for eating by the way, was completely odorless,

completely tasteless, and completely pointless. As he put it, “the ultimate fuck you! To poor

people!” Cross continued with the gold bit, pondering its journey to him. He joked how ludicrous

it must have been, for so many unfortunate people to sacrifice so much, just so that a nameless

narcissistic rich man can scoff down some odorless tasteless gold.

David Cross’s standup style is, in-part, a personal perspective. He fills his standup with

opinions and personal experiences. He also portrays himself as very average and unassuming. He

uses his sarcastic, down-to-earth, and intelligent sense of humor to make his audiences laugh.