God is Corruption Funny

Brace yourself: the cast of Spaugstofan (the Joke Office) is up there with the Goons, the Monty Python Crew, and the original Saturday Night Live cast. The five-member cast has been putting on a weekly broadcast since 1989. They have taken full advantage of the unique consequences of a tiny island country advancing from blue-collar fish economy to ultra-hip culture capital of the North.

As social satirists, Spaugstofan has carried the mantel of Laxness. Recently, they ran a screamingly funny if tragic episode dedicated to the exploitation this country suffered, without complaint, from the three major oil companies.

Some things shouldn’t be explained though: these guys are flat out ridiculously funny. Pálmi Gestsson’s interpretation of Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson is so endearing and sadly amusing that we would re-elect the PM just to keep the impressions going. And Örn Árnason… think Horatio Sanz crossed with Peter Sellers. We’re talking a cast that is world class funny free from the corruption of Hollywood or movie deals.

Spaugstofan. Saturdays on RÚV at 8:30. You can view their episodes for free online through www.RUV.is.