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?

Sexist prick voices sexist opinion. Not really surprising is it.

Rights? Of course he's within his rights. Since when have we censured opinion (unless that person is trying to insight hatred/harm/terror/unlawful acts)? People have a right to their opinion in a few world. Doesn't mean his right or that you can't think he's a dick. But be careful of the use of the term "rights".

It isn’t sexist. He’s not stating it as fact, but just his opinion. I believe there are things that each sex is better at than the other - either sex being funnier is not something I agree on, but there are other things. Like I really believe men are hopeless at multitasking and go into melt down if they have too many tasks to perform at the one time. Especially on the domestic front. But it’s my opinion, not fact. I guess though some people may interpret that as a sexist comment.

Sorry for typos. Phone being a dick too!

He can say what he thinks is true but what's he backing it up with. Zilch. He probably finds it true as he's a product of sexism and his thinking and sense of humour are thus limited by that narrow understanding of men and women.

Which is not at all the same as Trump and his sodding wall!

So it would be ok to find white people funnier, nicer , friendlier than black people? Would it be within someone's rights to say that publicly?

So it would be ok to find white people funnier, nicer , friendlier than black people? Would it be within someone's rights to say that publicly?

I don’t see how it can be other than ‘okay’ for someone to experience a certain group of people as being funnier than another group of people. If they feel that way, it’s odd, but I can’t see why they wouldn’t be allowed to say it.

Since when have we censured opinion (unless that person is trying to insight hatred/harm/terror/unlawful acts)?

I agree.

@flaviaritt

If he said he doesn't find women as intelligent as men, would you think that was sexist?

No, I don’t think so. If a person is 85 I am going to assume they are speaking from their own experience of what they find in the world. I don’t know whether there is any IQ difference between women and men. It’s not something I have investigated. But day-to-day, when we meet people we make judgements about their intellect, and if by the time you’ve met a few thousand people you think there is a discernible difference, that isn’t prejudice, it is what you believe you have observed.

Sorry this is total nonsense, if you are already predisposed to think X group are more intelligent, you interpret their comments differently to comments made by Y group. This has been proven to happen time and time again.

People who state views based only on their own experiences are idiots. e.g. I have met lots of nice people in Manchester and lots of horrible people in Bristol does not mean people in Manchester are nicer than people in Bristol. (Apols to Bristol, just a random choice!)

My opinions based on my observations are unreliable because I have a personal set of experiences and a subjective viewpoint.

So in essence, MP's opinion is of zero relevance to anyone but himself, I couldn't give a fuck what he thinks.

This is exactly the mentality that got Trump into office.

Maybe so. At least 70m people seem to agree with that mentality.

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

I would tend to agree. I wouldn’t class what SMP said as any of these things, though.

Yes I agree it’s a valid point to compare it with a racist comment, as a thought experiment.

What pees me off with men who think women aren’t as funny, is the sheer arrogance of ignoring the fact they’ve never been present when it’s a women only situation. I find women are at our funniest (including myself in this) when it’s just women there. And more honest and unguarded, in my experience.

I don't agree that the older people get, the more valid their opinion. I have noticed that people I know generally become much more fixed in their views and limited in their information sources.

I can't imagine MP has his finger on the pulse of the female comedy scene.

BefuddledPerson

So in your view, it’s unacceptable to make any generalisations of opinion based on your own experience? I find that odd.

He's entirely free to believe that, just as there are probably people who believe he emerged the victor in the exchange with Meg Ryan. I'd suggest most women of his acquaintance don't do much in the way of wisecracking, but are jolly good at regurgitating their husband's opinion about capital punishment and immigrants. He's an incredibly tedious old bore, bit like 'Boycs', and I'm astounded that anyone gives either of them houseroom.

You don’t sound terribly bright, OP.

Might I suggest maybe reading some Carole Criado-Perez?

With regard to what Michael Parkinson said, yes, of course it is sexist. That’s very simple to deduce.

Might I suggest maybe reading some Carole Criado-Perez?

Sorry. I tend not to take reading recommendations from people who call me stupid.

Excuse me, I meant Caroline, not Carole.

Isn’t it Caroline?

Well Graham Norton is a better interviewer than SMP ever was.

SMP is a Barnsley boy, he’s 85 and although he’s met lots of famous people imo he’s still a bit ‘are you local.’ He absolutely hated being attacked by the Emu! Strikes me as a man who can’t laugh at himself so probably wouldn’t laugh at women’s experiences either.

An evening with Victoria Wood is one of the funniest stand ups I’ve ever seen. Ben Elton was hilarious though too at the time.
Comedians now rely far too much on observational comedy imo. I used to like Michael Mcintyre and his dentist sketch makes me roar with laughter but he seems to be a bit samey now.

Well, your loss then. It would probably make it easier for you to access a debate such as this.

Cross-post. Not very bright, though.

It would probably make it easier for you to access a debate such as this.

I think I’m enjoying the discussion I initiated quite reasonably as things stand.

Sorry but right now, men are winning in the comedy stakes.

Female comedy actors are as funny as male comedy actors, but when it comes to writing and stand up, men are, at the moment funnier.

Thats not to say women don't have the potential to be as funny or funnier then men. But we're yet to see one.

If I'm wrong name me a female comedian funnier than Franky Boyle, Micky Flanagan or Sean Lock or Ricky Gervase.

I agree. Hope he isn't cancelled because he said what he thinks. You know, free speech and all.

I didn't realise he still has an active career.

TBH I don't care of the opinion of an elderly man, he clearly prefers male company and doesn't really relate to women, but he's not the only one and I can't get too worked up about it.