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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To find Dan's "jokes" regarding epilepsy on Show me the Funny last night extremely offensive??

55 replies

frazzle26 · 23/08/2011 19:37

Did anyone else watch Show me the Funny last night??

Dan one of the contestants made some extremely offensive "jokes" regarding epilepsy which I was quite surprised that ITV broadcast. Epilepsy is misunderstood at the best of times and people with this illness (myself included) do not appreciate being made fun off in front of a national audience.

I sent an email to ITV to complain but so far have been fobbed off. Did anyone else feel that his "jokes" were really out of order and unfunny?

OP posts:

BakeliteBelle · 23/08/2011 19:44

frazzle I have been really enjoying Show Me the Funny...until now.

I have stopped going to stand-up comedy due to the prevalence of jokes and language that displays complete bigotry towards disabled people. I'm fed up of hearing the words 'retard', 'special', 'spaz' and the rest of it, especially as most of these comics are middle class, educated and playing to a similar audience, for whom racist jokes would be utterly unacceptable. My son is disabled - why on earth would I pay good money to hear this hatred and fear, dressed up as comedy?

I rolled my eyes at the epilespsy and Alan whatsisname saying how funny he thought it was. There is no hope.

BakeliteBelle · 23/08/2011 19:45

at the epilepsy joke I mean

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/08/2011 19:48

It's within the first two minutes here.

Rowena8482 · 23/08/2011 19:49

I couldn't get over how the judges were crying with laughter when Dan made those "jokes" - I was cringing. I am just anal enough to wonder if he does actually have epilepsy (since he obviously does wear glasses) - not that that would make it better, but it could explain why he thought it was ok - poking fun at himself.... like Jo Brand with her one and only "oh look I'm fat" line. It wouldn't make me think it was ok to say what he said, but might make HIM feel it was ok. (I hope I've explained that and not just confused the issue :-S)
In the end, the three I thought were the least funny went through, and the two I enjoyed and actually commented that it is possible to be funny without being mean, were sent home. Odd really, because Canon and Ball are so much associated with family viewing that I was even more surprised that they found Dan funny...

alphabettyspagghetti · 23/08/2011 19:50

Most people with epilespy will see the funny side of it too. I asked a friend why I should do if he had a fit, he told me to chuck him in the bath with the washing.

I was gobsmacked at first but then thinking, well with a condition like that or anyother, you have to find a funny side or it'll just get you down.

TalesOfTheUnexpected · 23/08/2011 20:05

frazzle I've been watching Show Me The Funny since it started and yes, I was disappointed and uncomfortable watching Dan on last nights episode.

Wel all know there's always going to be "sick" humour; humour at the expense of others....where do we draw the line?

Yes, it's awful to mock someone with an affliction or disability, especially one which you have personal experience of.

I do have to say though that I am a little bit of a hypocrite and, in my twenties and thirties, I would laugh at 'spaz' jokes, and the like. Now I have two SN children I am suddenly "Outraged from Manchester" whenever I hear any jokes like that.

I still enjoy a lot of comedy but try to tune out anything I now consider distasteful. That said, I'll never be watching Frankie Boyle again.

Overall, I think YANBU.

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 20:15

i have epilepsy i make jokes about it all the time some times they are what people would be considered to be poor taste.
epilepsy can be a terrifying and very uncontrollable illness laughing at it is in some way taking some power back. i havent watched it yet but i do think some people over sensitive to comedy, bad things can be funny. it doesnt make the bad thing less bad to laugh at it for a second.

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 20:17

nope sorry thats funny.

Andrewofgg · 23/08/2011 20:20

I've never seen this show and now I never will. Beyond revolting.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/08/2011 20:21

Quick google suggests that he does have epilepsy and that he talks about it often.

Original poster

frazzle26 · 23/08/2011 20:28

Well anyone who thinks it's funny is just ignorant IMO. Epilepsy is not to be laughed at.

OP posts:

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 20:40

well since i have been epileptic since i was 22, have grand mal seizures, see a specialist every 6 months and take medication every day i could hardly be called ignorant of the condition. i just prefer to find the amusing side of it than to dwell on the negative.

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 20:45

Well I've got epilepsy and I'm absolutely not offended by that at all. Entirely tame. I tend to think that if you have epilepsy, you're allowed to make jokes about it. I think rather than saying it doesn't do anything to improve people's misconceptions of the illness, it shows that you can have epilepsy and be 'successful' (if being on the telly is success to some). If we want to be treated like anyone else, then we need to acknowledge that having epilepsy does make you different (disclaimer: in a non non-PC way) but not so different that you have a sense of humour bypass. If anything, its offensive because its not really all that funny.

TBH I used to get upset by things like this, but I've since truly accepted my illness. It's part of who I am. Sometimes I gain strength from knowing that I have to deal with this, take medication everyday and raise 2 young DCs.

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 20:46

regrets use of well at the start of her post

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 20:47

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 20:51

see that was funny falls on floor and twitches with hilarity.

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 20:51

watch you don't pee yourself....

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 23/08/2011 20:52

No glasses-wearers offended by "spex offender"?

alphabettyspagghetti · 23/08/2011 20:53

Spex Offender - nope, I was laughing at that one and I wear specs.

SouthernFriedTofu · 23/08/2011 20:53

There is a really funny comic who jokes regularly about his missing leg. I say good on him if it makes him feel better, and if the person making the jokes had epilepsy probably the others on the show knew as well and would have been able to see the humour. I don't think Franky Boyle's jokes are appropriate or anyone who doesn't have an affliction mocking it

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 20:55

i wear glasses too, damn should i be offended by that as well???

alphabettyspagghetti · 23/08/2011 20:55

I know the one you mean SFT. Aussie bloke...oh whats his bloody name?

Adam...adam....Adam Hills!

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 21:01

if humour is self deprecating like it is in this case, I think it endears the comic to the audience and gives them an empathetic relationship. Surely this is a better way of getting some proper understanding.

spookshowangel · 23/08/2011 21:06

its all good pee we can be weey and ignorant together

peeoffkitty · 23/08/2011 21:08

I hope the OP isn't offended, bless.

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