For more than 40 years, Daniel Lemire has been renewing his humorous material according to current events; he admits, however, that in 2023, “the second degree no longer always seems so easy to understand. »
On tour across Quebec with his most recent show A little last one for the road, Daniel Lemire remarks that he has to “work harder to find jokes that everyone agrees with. »
“People have shorter fuses than before; it’s as if everyone was made an editorialist,” he says with a sneer when Le Journal spoke with him.
Between more anxiety-provoking subjects, such as global warming and the war in Ukraine, and the polarized ideals which increasingly shape our society, the veteran of the stage judges that we must continue to “find a way to laugh about it […] even if sometimes we can laugh bitterly. »
“People often say that we are in the worst period of humanity, but when we put things into perspective, there have been other very low periods as well,” he notes.
We can’t laugh at what we want anymore?
Here’s a statement that is gaining popularity, but is still false, according to the current affairs satirist, who turns 68 on October 10.
“There are still audiences for all types of shows,” maintains the interpreter of Uncle Georges, who considers himself lucky to have loyal admirers. “You have to find a way to educate your audience about your style, but it’s harder than it used to be; the second meaning no longer always seems so easy to understand. »
According to the man who wears various disguises during his shows, the offer of humor spas in Quebec is very much alive, and therefore “if there is nothing that pleases you these days [en humour], you’re quite difficult. »
Don’t encourage stupidity
Without compromising on the gags he pushes to his audience, Daniel Lemire concedes that there are certain themes addressed in his show that he preferred “not to delve too deeply into”, such as Trumpists and conspiracy theorists, for example.
“I talk about it, but I don’t want to go too far there; it opens strange doors and it can give ideas to people who don’t understand that these are jokes,” explains the comedian, comparing these movements to cults. “It’s close to mental illness, at this point. »
Daniel Lemire will present his new show across the province over the next year, notably at the Salle André-Mathieu in Laval on November 1 and at the Salle Albert-Rousseau in Quebec on November 15.
► Tickets are available here.