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.