With his general dislike of mankind, controversial subject matter and ability to flip without warning into a loud rant, it would be easy to compare Swedish comic Magnus Betner to Bill Hicks.
But although Magnus clearly drinks at the well of the late, lamented pricker of fevered egos, his take on comedy is much more measured, yet at the same time feels spontaneous.
His subject matter touches on a few Hicks staples, including abortion, war and religion, but rather than try to convert the audience, deranged Southern preacher-style, he is more interested in getting things off his chest.
His Scandinavian heritage did come up occasionally, in digs about a neutral country that backs whoever is doing well.
He wasn’t an intimidating presence though, admitting early on that he wasn’t about to pick on the front row.
Rather than setting up jokes or telling stories, his style was more observational – such as if men had to give birth there would be drive-thru abortion centres, and querying the origins of necrophilia.
And he wasn’t afraid to give his view on some liberal targets too – questioning global warming and asking why free speech doesn’t allow hateful minorities to speak.
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