Political Correctness vs Dark Comedy

Should people be forced to have limits on humor? Should there be a line that no one should cross?

OR

Should people be allowed to say whatever they want whenever they want?

In your opinion, should words hurt? Or is it only when words become action that people should be held liable?

Comedians, for example. Should they be forced to have a line they aren't allowed to cross?

Many comedians have been attacked for using heavy racial humor and especially jokes about rape in their stand-up routines.

Anyway, do you think people should be forced to acknowledge some level of political correctness, or should they be allowed to say whatever they want whenever they want, as long it involves humor or it's just a joke?

Idea for this thread came from this:
https://twitter.com/pengdangcomedy/status/1392147842731499520

George Carlin's thoughts on Larry King back in the day:
YouTube video

Thoughts?

I think dark humour stems largely from the fact that men aren't able to discuss the things that are disturbing or distressing so we do it through the veil of comedy. I think it has a valid place in society.

Originally posted by samhain
I think dark humour stems largely from the fact that men aren't able to discuss the things that are disturbing or distressing so we do it through the veil of comedy. I think it has a valid place in society.

More like blatantly edgy comedy?

Stuff that's blatantly racist, rude, over-the-top, etc.

Yes. Patrice O’Neil who is one of my favorite comic spoke on this. He even schooled a few people that said rape joke was not funny. He completely destroyed them on the fact that rape joke are indeed funny. And just because you say a rape joke, doesn’t mean you think rape is okay.

Through the lens of humor we can take a good hard look at ourselves sometimes.

What I will say is that I don't think people should be criminally prosecuted for their humor and never should but that doesn't mean you are free from the consequences of using that type of humor. If people don't find your humor funny because it crosses lines for them and they decide to stop booking you at shows that's the way it is.

Or free to be called out for the harmful propaganda some comedy/humor has embedded in it. Like for instance calling a man queer for not being manly enough has created unhealthy standards men are forced to follow for fear of ridicule.

Originally posted by Newjak
Through the lens of humor we can take a good hard look at ourselves sometimes.

What I will say is that I don't think people should be criminally prosecuted for their humor and never should but that doesn't mean you are free from the consequences of using that type of humor. If people don't find your humor funny because it crosses lines for them and they decide to stop booking you at shows that's the way it is.

Or free to be called out for the harmful propaganda some comedy/humor has embedded in it. Like for instance calling a man queer for not being manly enough has created unhealthy standards men are forced to follow for fear of ridicule.

Is it fair to call these comedians out if you feel personally they've crossed a line?

Although I guess this is also in line with "should a person get punched/slapped for using racial/homophobic slurs?"

Similar argument I think.

This isn't a new debate, it's been going on since comedy first began I feel, though in recent years it's gathered more traction.

Is it fair to call the people who stopped booking them a "bunch of sensitive/easily offended pussies" as so many comedians do after such an incident occurs?

I feel this comes down mainly to people's personalities, there's no right or wrong answer here. I do think a lot of comedians feel threatened by political correctness and that it ruins their humor by calling them out on jokes in general.

There was also a clip back in the day that I was gonna post in my opening post of some Danny Devito-looking comedian making blatantly racist asian jokes and some asian dude stormed the stage and punched him. Idk where that clip is now though, couldn't find it for the life of me.

Who was wrong in that situation? The guy for using the blatantly racist humor, or the asian dude for hitting him?

I'll post the clip if I can find it.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Well that's what I'm asking.

Is it fair to call these comedians out if you feel personally they've crossed a line?

Although I guess this is also in line with "should a person get punched/slapped for using racial/homophobic slurs?"

Similar argument I think.

This isn't a new debate, it's been going on since comedy first began I feel, though in recent years it's gathered more traction.

Is it fair to call the people who stopped booking them a "bunch of sensitive/easily offended pussies" as so many comedians do after such an incident occurs?

I feel this comes down mainly to people's personalities, there's no right or wrong answer here. I do think a lot of comedians feel threatened by political correctness and that it ruins their humor by calling them out on jokes in general.

No. You have a right to be offended, just like the have right to tell jokes that offends you.

If a comedian are just telling jokes, and aren’t telling others to attacks those that take offense, then they are fine.

A joke no matter how vulgar, or vile, are just jokes.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
There was also a clip back in the day that I was gonna post in my opening post of some Danny Devito-looking comedian making blatantly racist asian jokes and some asian dude stormed the stage and punched him. Idk where that clip is now though, couldn't find it for the life of me.

Who was wrong in that situation? The guy for using the blatantly racist humor, or the asian dude for hitting him?

I'll post the clip if I can find it.

The Asian for hitting him.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Should people be forced to have limits on humor? Should there be a line that no one should cross?

OR

Should people be allowed to say whatever they want whenever they want?

In your opinion, should words hurt? Or is it only when words become action that people should be held liable?

Comedians, for example. Should they be forced to have a line they aren't allowed to cross?

Many comedians have been attacked for using heavy racial humor and especially jokes about rape in their stand-up routines.

Anyway, do you think people should be forced to acknowledge some level of political correctness, or should they be allowed to say whatever they want whenever they want, as long it involves humor or it's just a joke?

Idea for this thread came from this:
https://twitter.com/pengdangcomedy/status/1392147842731499520

George Carlin's thoughts on Larry King back in the day:
YouTube video

Thoughts?

In comedy, not really, as it's understood it's comedy. People also have a right to be offended by the "comedy" and they can choose to not patronize the person.

eg When I saw Dave Chappelle standup in San Francisco, I was aware he'd probably say somethings I don't agree with and that's okay. He's still overall funny, regardless of the shit I don't agree with.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Well that's what I'm asking.

Is it fair to call these comedians out if you feel personally they've crossed a line?

Although I guess this is also in line with "should a person get punched/slapped for using racial/homophobic slurs?"

Similar argument I think.

This isn't a new debate, it's been going on since comedy first began I feel, though in recent years it's gathered more traction.

Is it fair to call the people who stopped booking them a "bunch of sensitive/easily offended pussies" as so many comedians do after such an incident occurs?

I feel this comes down mainly to people's personalities, there's no right or wrong answer here. I do think a lot of comedians feel threatened by political correctness and that it ruins their humor by calling them out on jokes in general.

The comedians can call the bookers whatever they want as well.

Although if we're getting the realms of hate speech that's a different talking point to me. Like if someone is making blatantly racists jokes and invoking KKK talking points but using the veil of humor as shield that doesn't really fly to me.

After all social stigmas that are harmful to a group don't lose that harm simply because you've labeled those words as a joke.

Basically I have no sympathies for people who try to use the term it's just a joke as a get out of jail free card because they don't like being called out on their BS.

Just a joke is an easy get out. I use it all the time when I want to say shit to people that isn't a joke and I really mean, this ploy started around 6 or 7 yrs old for me!

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Is it fair to call the people who stopped booking them a "bunch of sensitive/easily offended pussies" as so many comedians do after such an incident occurs?

I worked in a comedy club for a few years and my brother was a stand-up comic for 10+ years and I can tell you with absolute certainty that it takes a hell of a lot to get a venue to 'cancel' you. Might not be strictly true in this age of heightened sensitivity but I don't think comedy audiences have changed a great deal, they're still comprised of people who have paid to laugh and are generally a bit harder to offend, therefore not that many complaints to management. Can't be an easily offended p*ssy and be a comedy club booker.

The real trouble comes from people using humour in the workplace or elsewhere in everyday life with people who aren't expecting it and who might not understand their sense of humour, that's where offense gets taken.

Dark comedy isn’t meant for people who can’t laugh at themselves, bleak situations, or tragedies.

As long as the joke has no true malicious intent or hatred, it’s a goddamn joke. Either laugh or don’t listen to it.

Originally posted by Impediment
Dark comedy isn’t meant for people who can’t laugh at themselves, bleak situations, or tragedies.

As long as the joke has no true malicious intent or hatred, it’s a goddamn joke. Either laugh or don’t listen to it.

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
how do you determine malicious intent and hatred though?

Others well they will try to defend it.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Should people be forced to have limits on humor? Should there be a line that no one should cross?

OR

Should people be allowed to say whatever they want whenever they want?

Freedom of speech is good for society, too bad we don't have that since the Government can prosecute you for exercising your right to speech.

Originally posted by Newjak
Generally if you call them out on it they easily acknowledge the terribleness of what they're saying.

Others well they will try to defend it.

YouTube video

YouTube video

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
What if they say, ha, it's just a joke?

YouTube video

If it's just a joke they can still acknowledge what they said is terrible.