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Original poster

To ask if anyone else didn’t like Book of Mormon?

81 replies

Thrxverd · 03/07/2022 17:51

I went to see it yesterday and was really expecting to love it. I know many people who’ve seen it and it always gets rave reviews. The person I went with absolutely loved it.

I thought it was fine, had a couple of laughs, but I didn’t think it was a brilliant, hilarious masterpiece. It’s in our city this week and my social media is covered in people saying how it’s the best show they’ve ever seen, cried laughing etc.

Has anyone else been disappointed by it? It didn’t offend me or anything, I just didn’t think it was as brilliant and funny as it seems every other person I know does.

OP posts:
ChompChamp · 03/07/2022 20:11

I found it extremely funny, but it does have a racism problem (not that I think the creators are racist, but if you’re going to use it in a satirical way, you need to stick the landing and make a point - they did that with religion but not with race). I understand the book has been updated somewhat since I saw it, though.

Boxowine · 03/07/2022 19:57

It was written by a team known for an extremely outrageous cartoon series in the US. The show is called South Park and it is similar to BoM, very offensive but in a juvenile way rather than satirical. I saw the show about ten years ago, thought it was hysterical but very low brow. I don't think it has aged well, I wouldn't see it again.

Mufflette · 03/07/2022 19:45

Yes, really expected to like it (and some of the songs were great) but some of it was just uncomfortable rather than actually funny.

Original poster
Thrxverd · 03/07/2022 19:32

Sorry, probably the former! Just different senses of humour.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thrxverd · 03/07/2022 19:24

I’m pleased I’m am not entirely alone!

Yes to the PP who said they felt like an outsider. Even at the very beginning there was a moment that I really do believe would warrant no more than a weak smile in any other show, and people were laughing out loud.

It reminded me of seeing A Comedy of Errors at the Globe once. People were howling with laughter and I had a moment of thinking ‘are you laughing because you really find it so funny, or because you think you should?’ Probably the latter now that the same thing has happened again.

OP posts:
flutterbybabycakes · 03/07/2022 18:54

I think the standalone episode or was it two, that it's based on is more than sufficient. I enjoy their humour but I don't think it should be overdone. It is what it is. I enjoy South Park but this BoM is just a money-making exercise.

IwaswhoIam · 03/07/2022 18:46

I thought it was hilarious, I laughed so much ! It’s a particular humour though that not everyone finds funny . The same way some comedians are not funny to others .

rickandmorts · 03/07/2022 18:45

It didn't offend me, I thought it was pretty tame and one dimensional. And very shit. Friend that I went with actually fell asleep in the middle of it which I found funnier than the show 😂

EinsteinaGogo · 03/07/2022 18:44

I saw it recently too.

I was quite happy to take go along to a show that I though took the piss out of whacky belief systems, but didn't know to expect the celebration of racism and homophobia to be the main storyline.

mocking of poor African countries, songs & storylines based around AID and FGM, and the hilarity of African villagers not knowing how to pronounce Salt Lake City.

Also the repetition of 'I'm off to fuck a baby to cure my AIDs' didn't make me smile.

I was acutely aware of race throughout and just thankful that by luck i went with a white, straight group of friends to this particular show.

Echobelly · 03/07/2022 18:39

DH thought it was pretty racist and that it was laughing at the African characters.

Okeydoky · 03/07/2022 18:38

I love musicals, but I just didn't think Book of Mormon was particularly good. It was rather samey throughout and just not that funny.

JellyBellyNelly · 03/07/2022 18:38

I really enjoyed it but it was only later that I thought I shouldn’t have.

Hurstlandshome · 03/07/2022 18:35

I could have written this post. People around me were roaring with laughter; I felt like a complete outsider, and I promise I always get the joke. Nice to meet fellow non-enjoyers :)

underneaththeash · 03/07/2022 18:32

Me! I know it was meant to be satirical. But I don’t think starving people or shouting Fuck God should be a subject of comedy and I felt uncomfortable. My friend left after the interval - I suspect she should have left earlier if we weren’t mid-row.

mormons on the other hand are fair game.

Simonjt · 03/07/2022 18:31

Meadowbreeze · 03/07/2022 18:26

Hated it, found it really tasteless and disrespectful and I have a really mean humour. I love Deadpool for context. I don't see how they can get away with it tbh. Any other religion it would be uproar.

Same. Plus there is nothing about mocking people for contracting HIV, nor is FGM lighthearted.

Meadowbreeze · 03/07/2022 18:29

@AppleKatie I'm one of those that found it offensive and I don't care, but you're right, it's also not funny after the initial shock.
I once saw a Catherine Ryan set at latitude and felt the same. You're just being rude for the sake of it but not much of what your saying is a good joke.

Meadowbreeze · 03/07/2022 18:26

Hated it, found it really tasteless and disrespectful and I have a really mean humour. I love Deadpool for context. I don't see how they can get away with it tbh. Any other religion it would be uproar.

AppleKatie · 03/07/2022 18:25

It's ok. But the problem is it's just one joke...

this!

it’s got cult status because if you say it’s not that good people assume you were ‘offended’…

Anjo2011 · 03/07/2022 18:23

Loved it. One you can watch again. Mamma Mia on the other hand was shite.

mnnewbie111 · 03/07/2022 18:22

WishILivedInThrushGreen · 03/07/2022 18:03

I haven't seen it but my husband has and thought it was brilliant.

Alas I'm a saddo who saw Les Mis at the theatre and thought it was shite.

Whaaaaaat?

Jenjenn · 03/07/2022 18:22

I thought it was really mean spirited and not really funny at all. Wtf is funny about poor people desperate for a better life and fgm. People brainwashed into a cult isn't funny either. I don't know why I had expected it would be funny to be honest. I wouldnt go again even if tickets were free.

00100001 · 03/07/2022 18:21

It's ok. But the problem is it's just one joke...

SteveHarringtonsChestHair · 03/07/2022 18:19

I feel like I’m quite difficult to please at the theatre - other people always seem to be rolling around in fits of laughter at some pretty basic humour. I have a good sense of humour and find all sorts funny, and I love many musicals, but I find theatrical humour a bit slapstick tbh, which is what puts me off Book of Mormon.

Whataplanker · 03/07/2022 18:18

I loved it and want to see it again! My dad has seen it around 6 or 7 times.

Hunderland · 03/07/2022 18:16

I loved it. I was :0 throughout!