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Original poster

or was Peter Kay homophobic on Strictly?

293 replies

ThisPasadenaHomemaker · 19/11/2016 22:52

His bit with Rinder made me cringe so hard.

That kind of 'humour' based on the idea that gay men are predatory sex pests belongs in the 70's with Alf Garnett type sitcoms rather than 2016 doesn't it? Felt dated, lazy and really awkward.

Not that I expect Peter Kay to be at the cutting edge of comedy of course but still.

Just me?

OP posts:
SatsukiKusakabe · 20/11/2016 08:49

He was in character as a bit of a blundering, not quite with it person who stumbles onto a big ballroom show at Blackpool in a high via jacket; yes he was making a homophobic joke, but the joke was on him ie the sort of person that will enjoy seeing Judge Rinder perform, think he's brilliant, but still possess a latent discomfort with the idea that he's gay. The joke is based on that irony (and the fact he wanted to work in what I presume to be JRs catchphrase)

These double bluff type jokes are often taken at face value, which is the risk taken by the comedian; the element of risk that makes some laugh and pisses some off is part of pretty much all jokes.

I didn't find it that funny btw, but I understood it.

FRETGNIKCUF · 20/11/2016 08:49

Comparing him to Chubby Brown and Bernard Manning? Fucking really?

Jesus Christ. Get a grip.

DiegeticMuch · 20/11/2016 08:51

It was a very childish gag, but I thought the joke was on the PK character to be honest - the notion that a successful, clever, attractive man like Rinder would try to pull a fat, middle-aged, junior local authority jobsworth is pretty funny. Not sure about homophobic - Kay has never struck me as that - I think that he might have done the same thing with Greg (for example) had he been standing there, with a long-jump gag afterwards, or with Louise, followed by a "what would Jamie Redknapp think" type comment. So very sillly, but not offensive.

Julius02 · 20/11/2016 08:53

I think it was just a silly (and very unfunny joke). Stop being offended on other people's behalf. It's a waste of energy

Lilaclily · 20/11/2016 08:57

I like his car pool sitcom, it's hilarious

Meripenopause1 · 20/11/2016 08:58

I hate these sort of jokes: "Backs against the wall boys". Suggesting that if there's a gay man in the room, of course, he'll try and fuck you. I'm in my 50's and remember a lot of this sort of humour, and the feeling of shame it could create gay men. I still don't think it's funny, even as 'retro' joke.

MNRandom · 20/11/2016 09:02

You nest of vipers. Peter could have done the same with female contestant. Then you'd be calling him a sex pest. Get a grip.

Hoppinggreen · 20/11/2016 09:03

It looked to me that PK was playing a stereotypical Northern working class character to me. He was poking fun at people uncomfortable around Gay men rather than being Homophobic himself.

MNRandom · 20/11/2016 09:04

Yes you are definitely Abu!!!

Mrsmadevans · 20/11/2016 09:06

I read somewhere that they are very good friends and as such he has overstepped the boundary by behaving in public as he would in private. I think this may have gone too far for public viewing but whatever .....I think it was not homophobic just plain stupid and he should have known better but I am not gay so I don't know if it is perceived as homophobic to them. I hope not..... I dont think it was meant to be that way .

SatsukiKusakabe · 20/11/2016 09:06

Except that Peter Kay isn't suggesting that if there's a gay man in the room he will try and fuck you, he is playing a character who thinks that way, and telling the joke against that character.

Lweji · 20/11/2016 09:16

You nest of vipers.
That's NOT an insult around these parts. Wink

It just looks silly, not particularly homophobic.

If anything, I'd say it's worst for sexual assault victims, as he's joking about being/faking being one.

FucksSakeSusan · 20/11/2016 09:21

If you have to explain why a joke is funny, it's not a joke.

HTH

FucksSakeSusan · 20/11/2016 09:22

(That was to all the PK apologists)

CongresswomanCaveMum · 20/11/2016 09:22

The whole "fake bum pinch" was an homage to Eric Morecombe who did it all the time, whether the "perpatrator" was male or female.

BadKnee · 20/11/2016 09:25

I agree - not homophobic - the word gets over-used - but certainly inappropriate, uncomfortable, unnecessary, unfunny and lazy. Really out of all the jokes he could have made why that?

Love the judge.

velvetspoon · 20/11/2016 09:27

Good grief, some people will take offence at anything.

I don't know any gay people who found this offensive, or insulting. I suspect few if any gay people were put out by it. Judge Rinder doesn't suffer fools gladly, if he wasn't amused by it, I'm sure he would have made it clear!

The over-reactions and histrionics on this thread smack of the PO...

Collaborate · 20/11/2016 09:34

Well it made me uncomfortable watching it. I thought it was out of place and unfair.

Bertucci · 20/11/2016 09:39

Judge Rinder looked like he found it hilarious.

Offensive? I guess if you're looking for something to be offended by...

WingedSloath · 20/11/2016 09:40

DramaInPyjamas "He's not a very nice person irl apparently"

Do you actually know Pete in real life? Where do you get your information from?

Surely that was a classic Eric Morecambe bum pinch joke, it wouldn't have mattered who he was next to, male or female. He wasn't himself on Strictly he was playing a role. Unless you think he dresses like that in real life Hmm

TinaBacon · 20/11/2016 09:41

The whole section was rather painful, whenever PK appears on chat shows he's similarly out of step, he's just not good at off the cuff verbal wit and relies on 'look at me, aren't I crazy and anarchic' type humour.

Perhaps he'd have gone for the same gag if a woman or straight man had been standing behind him, but the 'closed case' remark and the fact he did it twice when he definitely knew who was behind him were clearly attempts at dated end of pier 'aren't gay men by default funny' humour.

JR is much quicker witted, but I disagree that if he was unhappy he would have delivered a put down. He does seem very respectful of the show and I suspect laughing and 'joining in' were really the only options available to him.

It's impossible for him to do anything now except laugh it off, although inside he's probably think PK is a bit of a dated dick.

Sentmeamonkey · 20/11/2016 09:50

I am not comparing him to Bernard manning , Roy chubby brown. As someone who doesn't find Peter Kay funny the less I see of him on TV the better for me. As was just suggesting he stays at home and watches humour that has watered down relation to the joke he cracked on strictly.

TiggyD · 20/11/2016 09:51

A joke perpetuating the idea that straight men have to constantly defend themselves from gay ones, and that being gay is all about sex. Fuck off with your outdated attitude Peter Kay.

MintChocAddict · 20/11/2016 09:53

Peter Kay stopped being funny a long time ago IMHO. His ego kicked in massively and it was game over. You can see how uncomfortable chat show presenters are when he's on. It's all about him. Shame really as he was incredibly funny back in the day.
He should stick to writing for others as he's a fabulous writer of comedy though and I love the car share prog.
As for the Judge Rinder thing I'm a bit meh to be honest as I think there's been plenty of innuendo from him too.

Sentmeamonkey · 20/11/2016 09:54

Sorry,meant the joke he made on strictly is a watered down version of the type of thing you would get from RCB and BM.