Jokes about Russians and Russia
A Russian speaking English sounds like a criminal (starting at 1:00). And Russian, according to Trevor Noah, ‘sounds like someone’s playing a vinyl backwards’ (imitation starts at 4:06). Plus more humor about Russians, Russia, and the Russian language, by comedians like Louis C.K. Followed by jokes from the Russians themselves, shared by Ronald Reagan.
Trevor Noah: Vinyl Backwards
From Some Languages Are Scary (2018).
Louis C.K: A Really Crazy Place
About the time Louis C.K. went to Russia in his twenties. It was 1994.
‘Somebody told me that the Wall had just come down in the Soviet Union and that Russia was a really crazy place at the time. So I said, I’m gonna go there.’ (starting at 1:07)
Several versions are online. This one has Russian subtitles. Россия была безумным место в то время, Russia was a crazy place at that time.
Not everyone found it funny. See/listen to How Louis C.K. doesn’t know a damn thing about Russia (2015). See/read You know who else met with Russians? Louis C.K. (Boston Globe, 2017) and Louis C.K. on His Miserable, Nihilistic Vacation to Post-Soviet Russia (Vulture, 2015).
Dan Soder: Scariest White People
On the usefulness of a Russian accent. “You think dis bad neighbourhood?” as crime prevention, and Russians as the scariest white people.
There’s also a version with Russian subtitles (2015), besides
Russians are scary from 2013.
Ты думаешь это плохой район?
More comedy in:
- Russians (Russell Peters, 2017, 3 m)
- Russians Are Bad Ass (Maz Jobrani, 2014, 3 m)
- Funny Jokes About Russians (Greg Wilson, 2013, 1.5 m)
- Who are Russians in reality? (Dylan Moran, 2013, 5 m)
See also Why are stand-up comedians so shocked by the Russian accent? (Russia Beyond, 2018)
Ronald Reagan: Soviet Jokes
The 40th President of the United States (not a comedian, but certainly an actor) had a complicated relationship with the then Soviet Union, which he (in 1983) called an Evil Empire.
Nevertheless, he visited the heart of that Empire (in 1988) and made an effort to say доверяй, но проверяй ( trust but verify) while standing next to Gorbachev. That went over much better.
He made another attempt at Russian at the Moscow State University, when he tried to say желаю вам успеха (I wish you success). It seems to take a moment for the audience to realize it was Russian. But then: applause. Success after all.
Reagan also told Soviet jokes (‘which reveal that they got a great sense of humor, but they’ve also got a pretty cynical attitude toward their system’) and it was all good.
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Freedom of speech is decreasing everywhere, though the reasons vary by region. Meanwhile, Big Tech’s power is growing, along with its interference. In this new era, a nearly forgotten Soviet answer is reemerging: samizdat, the underground DIY press and distribution network.
Every country has a flag and a coat of arms. The Netherlands has a lion, France has a rooster, New Zealand has a kiwi, and the United States has a bald eagle. In Russia, it’s an eagle with two heads and three crowns, and a man on a horse who has just killed a dragon with a spear.
