Is Sir Michael Parkinson within his rights?

[flaviaritt]

Says men are funnier than women. He says, ‘It's a very contentious statement, but they're much better'.

My view is that, by the age of 85, if you think men are funnier than women, it’s just your opinion based on your experience and nobody should be getting riled up about it.

Reasonable?

surely we all do that whatever age we are?

Of course. But the more experience we have the more foundation we have for an opinion.

Well there quite clearly is a difference otherwise why do we bother with research?

I’m not understanding you. I don’t think he thinks it is a fact that men are funnier than women. I think he is well aware that this is something he thinks. An opinion.

Bollocks to that view.

GrouchyKiwi
"I find men funnier than women" = fine.

"Men are funnier than women" = not fine.*
Exactly.He's saying it as if it's fact but it's only his opinion doubtless shaped by his being an over-privileged white (ish) UK male.*

100% this. He can present it as fact all he likes but his views will always be influenced by his position in society. Given his age he will be heavily influenced by the fact that female comedians weren't as prevalent as male comedians. He's not likely to be presenting an unbiased view on this subject.

@flaviaritt

But if he thinks men are funnier than women in general - for everyone - then that is sexist.

I don’t agree. It is a generalisation based on his many years of listening to both sexes. I don’t think it’s prejudice. Sexism is prejudice.

I imagine there have been many more famous male comedians over his lifetime than female so it's not like he'd be comparing equal numbers to help him come to a proper conclusion. And how much bias is behind his opinion in the first place? Just because you're older doesn't mean your opinions have more value.

It’s his opinion, I don’t agree. Given humour is such a subjective thing I don’t see how we would quantify it anyway.

Just because you're older doesn't mean your opinions have more value.

I think it might mean they have more foundation.

the more experience we have the more foundation we have for an opinion. mmmmhmm I think you could spend an hour or two with several of my older relatives and knock that idea on the head. Age does not equal wisdom. You know this. Old people aren’t automatically more informed nor are men automatically funnier than women, but MP might have a different opinion.

@flaviaritt

surely we all do that whatever age we are?

Of course. But the more experience we have the more foundation we have for an opinion.

I was responding to your comment. You don't seem to think it's important to make a distinction between fact and opinion.

I suppose I have become tired of a world where people don’t feel able to say things they think, and I like the fact that he said what he really thinks.

FFS. Do you really think it’s ever been taboo to come out with sexist and misogynistic remarks?! Come on you can’t be that naive! All you have to do is preface the remark with one of the following:

“Oooh I know I’m not suppose to say this, but...”
“Oooh I’m gonna get into trouble for saying this, but”
“Oooh I know this is politically incorrect, but”
“Oooh I’m a bit naughty for saying this, but”
“I just say it like it is, me ”

etc....

@Sparklesocks

OP...be honest, are you Michael Parkinson? I promise I won’t tell

It would explain a few things...

@flaviaritt

Just because you're older doesn't mean your opinions have more value.

I think it might mean they have more foundation.

Hahahahahaha

so much no.

Sorry my phone has responded to the wrong post .....

Yes, I think adding “I think” or “in my opinion” does make a difference.

For example, I don’t find Michael Macintyre funny. But clearly loads of people do, so it would be stupid and arrogant of me to say “he isn’t funny” as a statement of fact. I think plenty of men of his generation do struggle to understand that there’s a difference their subjective opinion and absolute fact. FIL is like this; I love him dearly but he drives me a bit bonkers.

mmmmhmm I think you could spend an hour or two with several of my older relatives and knock that idea on the head. Age does not equal wisdom. You know this.

I do know this. A person can be a complete idiot whether old or young. But as they get older they have more experience, so (in my view) more ground covered in order to form opinions. Those opinions might still be ridiculous, but that isn’t my point. My point is that they are not automatically prejudiced.

@flaviaritt

Well there quite clearly is a difference otherwise why do we bother with research?

I’m not understanding you. I don’t think he thinks it is a fact that men are funnier than women. I think he is well aware that this is something he thinks. An opinion.

I was responding to your comment. You don't seem to think it's important to make a distinction between fact and opinion.

Of course its within his rights to say that. Likewise it's my right to think he's an old fool and not worth listening to.

@flaviaritt

It actually doesn’t make me dislike him. It makes me like him a bit more.

If he had said that in his experience over the years he has found male comedians funnier than than women ones I have no problem with that . He can have more connection with a man as he is a man and I wouldn't find it sexist, he is entitled to his preferences on humour'

The fact that he says men are funnier than women as if it is an objective fact is what makes this sexist. He is entitled to his own opinion but not to his own facts.

I suppose I have become tired of a world where people don’t feel able to say things they think, and I like the fact that he said what he really thinks.

This is exactly the mentality that got Trump into office.
The world is gradually becoming more aware of the damage perpetrated by sexist, racist or homophobic views, and they are becoming less socially acceptable.

At the same time, public figures are scoring cheap points appealing to people who don't want to hide their bigtory by labelling themselves as "real" and "unafraid of speaking hard truths"... as though it is difficult and brave to put down people who have been historically silenced and marginalised.
I will never understand the mentality of people who feel hard done by because they can no longer express these views. Would you really begrudge keeping one thought in your head to avoid perpetuating hateful or damaging attitudes towards marginalised groups?

He's allowed his opinion.

HOWEVER I can't really comment because in my opinion (and increasingly AGED experience) - women are so much funnier than men.

There's just that slightly entitled arrogant air about male humour, the way you can tell they expect a laugh. Irritating, even if they're really funny.

I love the way some of the best of women's humour is reserved for those situations where everyone is relaxed. But also - they are just funnier. More incisive, more truly observant. Pair that with those who happen to also be sharp as a whip and it's hilarious.

Everyone’s allowed an opinion and that’s his.

IMO men ARE usually funnier than women and black men are funnier than white men 🤷🏻‍♀️

So there you go I am the same as Sir Michael. but at least I'm sayin that it's just my opinion

I can't imagine a funny woman would feel comfortable around him tbh.

He seems strangely humourless/lacking in witty rapport for someone that spent his career chuckling away at others funnier than him.

His job was as a professional audience for a funny man to bounce off, rather than ever having had anything terribly interesting or funny to say himself.

I imagine a funny woman would have nothing to spark off with him, so it is entirely possible he has come across unfunny women who only reflect his own dullness back at him.

The world is gradually becoming more aware of the damage perpetrated by sexist, racist or homophobic views, and they are becoming less socially acceptable.

Yes, but I don’t think anyone saying ‘In my life I have found * (usually, people like me) funnier/more amusing/shared sense of humour’ is being sexist, racist or homophobic. And that is how his quote reads.