Turning Crisis Communications into Cracking Comedy on Day 80 of the Gulf Oil Spill

In the words of super commedien, Mel Brooks: “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.”

Today was Day 80 of the ongoing oil spill catastrophe and in light of the profound mismanagement surrounding the Gulf, it is ripe…it’s due…it’s high time for some pointed parody on the subject.  In other words, it’s pumped past the tragedy and become the open sewer that we have to laugh at in order to maintain perspective.

But I have a strong preference for intelligent parody…not one-liners, or even one-two-punch liners. I prefer well-constructed, tight and textured satire and coincidentally I received an email from the Flight of the Conchords today with the following recommendation:

Here’s a video for the people who still sign into myspace (mainly just bands plugging their bands to other bands). It’s one of our favourite comedians: John Clarke and his Aussie mate.

Enter the veteran satire and comedy team of New Zealander John Clarke and Aussie Bryan Dawe.  Starting in 1989, Clark and Dawe introduced weekly mock interviews to Australian television. Clarke would take on the persona of a politician or prominent figure, though never attempting to imitate the voice of the subject as in traditional mimicry, and be interviewed by Dawe. Incidentally one mock interview concerning an off-shore oil spill in 1991, with Clarke portraying Minister for Shipping Bob Collins, is noted for Clarke’s repeated references to the ship whose “front fell off.”  (Wikipedia)

FOC sent out the recommendation today to the team’s latest video, where Clarke and Dawe give a thorough explanation of BP Gulf crisis management.  It’s great! It’s hilarious! So, with appreciative thanks to Flight of the Conchords, here’s the link (and video) for you to enjoy:

Clark and Dawe on the US Gulf Oil Spill

More information is available on the Mr. John Clarke website here…or, you could just Google them.