Or is Jimmy Carr just a misogynist arse hole?

[VioletCharlotte]

This week I went to see Jimmy Carr's live show. A friend of mine had tickets and asked my go along at the last minute as their mate dropped out. Now I've never really had an opinion on Jimmy Carr, he's just someone I've never paid much attention too, so didn't really know what to expect.

Most of the 2 hours were filled with cracks about rape, special needs children, blind people and women. I came away feeling quite sad that this is what's considered comedy. Friend (male) says I've obviously had a sense of humour bypass, but AIBU in thinking actually it's just not funny and Jimmy Carr is actually just a massive idiot?

And every woman comedian cracks jokes about men. Stop being a victim.

If you met a bloke for a date, and he reeled off several 'hilarious' rape jokes, and maybe chucked in a few child abuse ones, would you find it funny? Really? Would you be chortling along, gasping at his 'intelligence' and 'delivery'? Really?

I don't know any women comedians who make jokes about rape. Do You?

VioletCharlotte, I like Miranda Hart too. I think good comedians respect their audience and fellow human beings.

I don't mind shocking humour if it's funny.

I've just never heard a funny disabled joke, they're generally a bit crap. I've heard some very funny disabled comedians though.

If Carr was actually funny I would give him credit for that, but he's not.

I believe that the only people who can legitimately tell jokes about the disabilities are those who have one. The same things applies to race, gender and sexual assault.
Otherwise is is offensive. Jimmy Carr is just another priviliged, educated, wealthy white guy with the platform to say disgusting things about those who don't have those things.
It is not post modern its post decency.

It is not post modern it's post decency

Now that is a good one-liner.

If you met a bloke for a date, and he reeled off several 'hilarious' rape jokes, and maybe chucked in a few child abuse ones, would you find it funny? Really? Would you be chortling along, gasping at his 'intelligence' and 'delivery'? Really?

This. Those saying they find rape jokes and ones mocking disabled children funny - would you be laughing along if it came out of a friend's mouth or a new date?
Surely you would, as you find it funny, right.
That says a hell of a lot about you as a person if so.
He's absolutely vile.

He's a comedian. Get over it. You either find him funny or you don't. His act doesn't necessarily reflect his true opinions.

Elendon I wouldn't call either of your links satire personally
I think as society we have to recognise that humour is often derived from poking fun at disadvantage whether that be physical, mental or situational. It's also very subjective and very easy to offend, as many will take that attempt to find the funny side as belittling. So perhaps it's time humour became something private and personal instead of a money making exercise.

He's neither funny nor clever. Subversive humour is that which has a go at the regime, rape humour is supporting it. Ben Elton et al were subversive and Carr and his ilk thought they were being clever going one step further when in fact they took a step backwards.

'The Pollen Count - that's a difficult job.'

Both links are THE prime examples of satire. If you don't understand satire then you shouldn't be commenting on it.

I understand them, perhaps a better response would have been to say I didn't find them funny.

Can someone explain, in very simple language, WHY you find the jokes mocking disabled people or abuse survivors funny?

Are you literally just chuckling with glee because you are so delightedly shocked? Is that it? Is that the appeal?

Genuinely trying to understand from your perspective.

I love a range of good comedy (don't we all) but it's years since I've really seen any. Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan, used to laugh a lot at them. Very fond of Victoria Wood and The Royle Family, Peep Show etc.

But laugh out loud funny is different from satire.

I chuckle all day at one liners, and hate that I forget them. But, I'm not going to laugh out loud or think that a gang rape joke is funny. Or that people who are disabled all look the same is funny. It's scraping the barrel for a belly full of laughs to people who have little to enrich their lives.

I'm intelligent. I understand wit and satire.

Stewart lee now he is clever and funny

*Ukelou

Stewart lee now he is clever and funny*

He is indeed but he also got hammered due to his IRA sketch.

Truth is people will get offended by anything so they're best ignored.

I think this is funny too.

@EamonnWright
And every woman comedian cracks jokes about men. Stop being a victim.

See my video link above.

and maybe chucked in a few child abuse ones, would you find it funny

He'd never see me again. But that's not to say that child abuse can't be tackled comedically - Billy Connelly discussed sexual abuse by his father and emotionally abuse by his mad aunt in his stand up. It was funny, painful, moving, humbling - I've never forgotten it.

"Men shave and get drunk. Because you're already brilliant."

From the above clip,

Genuine lulz.

No 1 is Frankie Boyle. I still am 'offended' by his joke about Katie Prices disabled son

Frankie’s my No 1 as well. I’ve seen this joke live before it was televised. Fucking brilliant!

I am glad I don't know you in real life. I would not want anything to do with anyone who found that funny.

He's hilarious.

Laughing is nothing more than the relief of suspense and he has it nailed.

If you avoid saying anything to offend people, you'd have nothing to say; especially as a comedian. For example, I remember one of his gags "The first few weeks of Weight Watchers is finding your feet." I think it's a fabulous pun but there bound to be a fatty in the audience who would take offence. Another great gag "I remember what I was doing the first time I loved them. Lying to get sex". That's the very definition of rape but does that count as misogynistic? I mean, some people can find offence anywhere but to my mind, it certainly isn't.

Where do you draw the line?

I bet he wishes he had a pound for every person he offended ... oh wait*

*shameless misquoted Gervais

A good comedian (and I'm not for one moment suggesting Carr is a good comedian) is able to find humour in just about any subject. There is humour in the most unpleasant events and attitudes, and no subject should be off-limits.

Is mocking the disabled funny? Obviously not, but there can be humour in disability. There are disabled comedians whose own experience of their disability is intentionally part of their act. Some of these comedians are amusing at times, therefore there can be humour in disability. It would be discrimination in the extreme to say that one person can make a joke about disability but another can't, purely on their disability-status.

A lot of people don't seem able to differentiate between comedy and an endorsement of whatever the joke is about. Disability isn't funny. Rape isn't funny. But jokes sometimes are.