to feel that nothing is off limits comedy wise?

[Heathcliffscathy]

when I think of things that have really made me laugh some of them would be VERY offensive to some groups (mostly religious, and I believe in god)...I'm thinking about Sarah Silverman, Dennis Leary's no cure for cancer, Chris Rock etc etc.

Comedy is about offence to a certain extent isn't it as the funniest things are the ones that are closest to the bone, laughter relieves anxiety and therefore the graver and most serious something is (like the nazi's for eg) the funnier it can be (vis the producers for eg).

Dave Allen had it in for Catholics and my catholic mother used to weep with laughter at him. Derek and Clive take the piss about Cancer to great effect.

Now there are some 'comedians' that I think are shit: Bernard Manning springs to mind...but I don't think that banning them or censoring or protesting is the way forward, just don't view!

There are threads on here regularly about topics that mner's feel are off limits to comedy, most especially special needs. But I'm pretty sure that many special needs adults wouldn't appreciate being singled out as something that cannot be a source of humour...the ability to laugh at oneself including the tragedies and limitations of our lives is really important isn't it?

I maybe totally wrong, and maybe it's only ok if it is a special needs person doing it?

cos it makes her feel better about her self.
ugly people have to find what ever they can.

yeah, why is it funny?

answer that directly.

yup. strokes are hiiiilarious.

what about the deaf... they can't talk properly! what a hoot.

i notice DP never answered my question
maybe it was too hard for her......bless

don't for get the funny walks........

What about mullets? Now they are hilarious.

I'm not ignorant - far from it.

And I don't laugh at disabled children.

So what's the answer?

WE can not watch or pay to see this sort of comedy, but it won't stop it will it because as so neatly posted by DP there are people that find it funny, Jim twatface Davidson still sells out his tours and gets in panto.

So perhaps writing to BBC asking for them to outline their policy on prejudice, ensuring that race/gender/disability has the same strict control.

We could ask MN to make it one of their campaigns?

but it's ok for other people to?

Not to hijack this thread, as my thread is based on this one. I have created a post in another thread with some comedy clips, that are deemed as offensive to some-be it race, religion, sexuality, or other subjects. Just wanted to see what your thoughts are on those specific clips-is anythinky out of bounds?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1078308-Are-these-Funny-or-offensive

I haven't read the whole thread. I agree with the OP that nothing is off limits when it comes to comedy.

It's horrible and distressing that there are racist cunts like Jim Davidson and the like, even more so that thousands of people pay good money to see them.

But I think the alternative is worse. You can't have people telling people what is funny or not funny. There is an anecdote that Tallulah Bankhead told about rape that I find hilarious. Doesn't mean I find rape IRL hilarious or anything less than a serious subject.

That said, that doesn't mean you can't complain about humour you find offensive - Frankie Boyle is no longer on MTW because of his humour. He still makes money and can tell the jokes he likes but not on the license payers payroll.

Daftpunk, what is your point to me? No, I don't believe Marlon Brando was really a gangster. I have no opinion on Bernard Manning's personality whatsoever. This is a discussion thread about whether or not certain types of jokes are acceptable in certain contexts. The actual, real life, personality of Bernard Manning is totally irrelevant to whether or not his jokes are/were acceptable.

I don't know why you find that hard to grasp.

yep Riv, she has got attention again...
made the thread another all about her thread.
not answered questions, what is next? is it the being bullied one or where she has little private chats on the thread?

2shoes; I answered your question about 2 hours ago.

Shall I start a 'Whats the most ofensive joke you know thread?'

Warning: I will start with the 'That there's eight of them' joke.

MillyR;

My point was - comedians like FB are in the entertainment business, just like actors. On stage they are playing a part, ( a lot of comedians are manic depressives off stage) they have "an act " .... that particular act might not be to your liking, so don't watch/listen to it. as to whether any particular joke is acceptable, that will always be a matter of opinion, usually due to personal circumstances/ personality type. we are a civilised society, we are able to make our own choices as to what we find entertaining ( providing it's legal of course) .... taking that choice away creates more division and does little to suppress attitudes already present. For example; quite a few actors turned down the lead part in the film Brokeback Mountain as they didn't want to be 'perceived' as homosexual. Heath Ledger was about the 6th choice, no one wanted the part. Has being politically correct changed attitudes. No - not really.

Then can you please explain why you are talking about Bernard Manning's charity work, which has nothing to do with the content of his jokes?

Too large a thread to go through it all but I completely agree with the sentiment in the OP.
Either everything is fair game for comedy or nothing is.
people of course have a right to complain to authorities when it's broadcast (especially if it's on the bbc as then it's at the expense of the license payers) but they do not have a right to demand censorship, especially if it's in a private venue or broadcast by a private company.

There is a certain amount of intelligence required to differentiate between someone like bernard manning and his bigoted vile rantings and something subtle like The Office where the message is something very different and is written to expose the bigot!.There is no way of knowing how it would feel to have someone laugh at your disabled child unless you have 1st hand experience but common decency does at least give you empathy.If we accept this sort of thing it will just take even longer for disabled people to get the equality and respect they deserve.At the end of the day you need to take a good long hard look at yourself if you find this funny.

We do have some right to censorship under the law at the moment. There are lots of things that cannot be legally said or done on TV, no matter how hilarious people may find them.