11-03-2009, 02:31 PM
In recent months their has been several high profile news stories about comedians who have told jokes that have been deemed to be offensive, and the outrage that have followed; Jimmy Carr’s joke about service men and women who have lost limbs, French comedian Dieudonné’s numerous jokes about Jewish people, Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand in relation to the whole Andrew Sachs fandango…Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle has been in trouble twice, surrounding jokes about the queen and Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington. And I am sure there are many, many more. In each case, numerous complaints to Ofcom and the Press Complaints Commission have been sent, and many disapproving, approving and bemusing articles in the press have been written. Often the comedian will apologise and withdraw the joke or jokes from their act.
Now, I am unsure what to think of all this. I am sure saying the ‘unsayable’ has always been an important element of comedy- it is likely that much of the humour lies in the shock it provokes. According to Cicero, ‘an indecency decently put is the thing we laugh at hardest’. Therefore, language that may be offensive within, say, a work place or in polite company could be seen as perfectly appropriate within comedy; the audience expects it, and is prepared for it, given the particular context. Furthermore, the idea that some words or ideas have such power that grown adults should be shielded from them, lest they become offended, seems ridiculous and patronising, in my opinion.
However, may I tell a personal account which may prove me to be somewhat of a hypocrite. Not so long ago, I was at a comedy night, and there was a comedian, who is moderately successful and well known, and much of the Jimmy Carr school; one liners, about various taboo subjects and minority groups. Now many of the jokes I could laugh at, in the spirit of black humour. But there were a few, well, in particular two, which I just felt to be really beyond the pail. To me, they just sounded cruel and mocking, more suited to a playground bully than a successful comedian. Clearly their only ‘merit’ was their shock value; they were neither clever nor funny. It was not as if I felt compelled to rush off and cry offence, but I couldn’t even raise a smile, honestly. I looked around to see the reaction of others, to see everyone was laughing. That made it feel worse, like how dare this room of people all sit and laugh about this? Maybe they were just keen not to seem to ‘PC’ (which has of course become quite a dirty word!). I wondered if I am too soft and easy to offend by not laughing along… or was I too cruel to laugh at some of his other jokes?
I left feeling confused; perhaps comedians should have a right to say what they like, but maybe also they have a responsibility not to tell jokes that are seriously and personally offensive to people (rather than just provoking a storm of offence by proxy). I think this is especially true where the joke pokes fun at those who are in some way disempowered, or excluded enough a minority for no one to care to defend them, or listen to their objections. It just doesn’t seem right, it’s just too much like bullying, in my opinion. Also, they have a responsibility to actually be funny, it’s their job… and jokes that only have the value of being ‘shocking’ rarely are, I find.
What do you think? Have you ever heard a joke that you felt went too far? Are some subjects untouchable? And where is the line drawn?
Now, I am unsure what to think of all this. I am sure saying the ‘unsayable’ has always been an important element of comedy- it is likely that much of the humour lies in the shock it provokes. According to Cicero, ‘an indecency decently put is the thing we laugh at hardest’. Therefore, language that may be offensive within, say, a work place or in polite company could be seen as perfectly appropriate within comedy; the audience expects it, and is prepared for it, given the particular context. Furthermore, the idea that some words or ideas have such power that grown adults should be shielded from them, lest they become offended, seems ridiculous and patronising, in my opinion.
However, may I tell a personal account which may prove me to be somewhat of a hypocrite. Not so long ago, I was at a comedy night, and there was a comedian, who is moderately successful and well known, and much of the Jimmy Carr school; one liners, about various taboo subjects and minority groups. Now many of the jokes I could laugh at, in the spirit of black humour. But there were a few, well, in particular two, which I just felt to be really beyond the pail. To me, they just sounded cruel and mocking, more suited to a playground bully than a successful comedian. Clearly their only ‘merit’ was their shock value; they were neither clever nor funny. It was not as if I felt compelled to rush off and cry offence, but I couldn’t even raise a smile, honestly. I looked around to see the reaction of others, to see everyone was laughing. That made it feel worse, like how dare this room of people all sit and laugh about this? Maybe they were just keen not to seem to ‘PC’ (which has of course become quite a dirty word!). I wondered if I am too soft and easy to offend by not laughing along… or was I too cruel to laugh at some of his other jokes?
I left feeling confused; perhaps comedians should have a right to say what they like, but maybe also they have a responsibility not to tell jokes that are seriously and personally offensive to people (rather than just provoking a storm of offence by proxy). I think this is especially true where the joke pokes fun at those who are in some way disempowered, or excluded enough a minority for no one to care to defend them, or listen to their objections. It just doesn’t seem right, it’s just too much like bullying, in my opinion. Also, they have a responsibility to actually be funny, it’s their job… and jokes that only have the value of being ‘shocking’ rarely are, I find.
What do you think? Have you ever heard a joke that you felt went too far? Are some subjects untouchable? And where is the line drawn?
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Although I don't have a clearly considered view I've often wondered about this myself. I love to watch, say, Jimmy Carr on television (although I don't think I'd be brave enough to go and see him live in case he picked me out for some special attention :eek: ), but every time I see him he says something that makes me cringe. At times I have considered his scathing personal remarks abusive and sometimes even bullying. However, I am always left examining why I responded in the way I did. His humour may be tough going and "edgy", but I see his job as being like a tourist guide who shows us things about ourselves we'd rather not see. The best comedy, like many art forms, endures because it challenges the way things are. I do think, though, that Jimmy Carr is also a person who thinks deeply about what he says ... maybe I'm wrong.
mile: 