Feminism: chat
Male comedians and their ‘jokes’ **TW**
Wavypurple · 27/12/2021 16:03
I’m not a big fan of Jimmy Carr, I’m reading and DP put on his new special on Netflix to watch.
Not even thirty seconds in - rape joke.
Ten minutes later, he asks the audience if a woman has ever cried during sex to which several men proudly shout ‘yes’. JC goes on to say ‘you’re a rapist’ followed by eruptions of laughter from the audience. Seriously, as if it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard.
My point here (other than the fact that several men shouted proudly that a woman was crying during what they consider to be sex) is that prior to this JC mentions subjects such as being pro-vaccine and pro-BLM movement in a positive way, his jokes encourage you to laugh at his perceived stupidity of people who are anti these things. (To clarify, I also have my vaccines and support BLM and I’m not suggesting he should make negative jokes about either).
Of the joke topics JC and society in general decide are too edgy or offensive to laugh about (understandably - again to clarify racist/homophobic/anti-Semitic jokes are not funny and not jokes at all), rape is always on the list of things that are acceptable to throw in there.
My point of mentioning these other topics that are off limits is to demonstrate how sexual violence is equally as horrific and offensive as these, and yet still joked about.
I notice this with almost ALL male comedians, even the ‘woke’ ones.
Not sure what the point of this post was to be honest. It was just upsetting to watch and wondered if anyone else has noticed this in regards to male comedians.
motheroflions · 27/12/2021 16:24
There is always some one offended at 'jokes'
My kids have red hair yet ginger jokes are right up there with what is classed as ok. My niece has glorious red hair hair but dyes it blonde because of relentless bullying at school that gets passed of as 'jokes'
I can imagine people who didn't opt to have the vaccine - like my friend who is intelligent and certainly not stupid, may find people calling her stupid - offensive.
I seen Jimmy Carr get slaughted the other day on Tv by a women. Rape jokes are not funny i agree but i do not want the level of censorship that is descending on to our TVs/media.
Bernard Manning used to have his club in the area i lived in, he was horrible - vile and he became outdated - thank fuck.
kwiksavenofrillsusername · 27/12/2021 19:24
Having the right political talking points saves them from criticism. Can you imagine if a video leaked online of Jim Davidson in a working mens club telling those exact same jokes about rape? There would be widespread disgust. But if it’s Jimmy Carr in a London venue and prefaced with a bunch of correct political opinions nodded along with beforehand, it’s all fine apparently. Frankie Boyle is another one that is supposed to be on my side politically yet makes me ill.
However, I don’t think comedy, or speech in general should be censored. I dislike the new style of stand up comedy which isn’t jokes, but political rants, with an entire audience of people who agree with the comedian smirking along. As unfortunate as it is, men should be allowed to make their disgusting jokes. At least we know who they really are.
user15364596354862 · 27/12/2021 19:57
I think it's perfectly ok to be offended by rape 'jokes'.
There are plenty of other lines we are comfortable drawing between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, I don't see why men should get some special exemption from such boundaries so that they can make 'jokes' about male violence against women.
Wavypurple · 27/12/2021 20:04
In regards to the patronising off button/change the channel comments:
This post wasn’t about whether or not I think the programme should be broadcast, I never mentioned that once in the above post. This isn’t a discussion about censorship.
My topic of conversation was how male comedians make jokes about sexual violence and it’s deemed perfectly acceptable and even funny by some, when it’s such an awful, tragic circumstance that I just don’t know how anyone could find humour in it.
Wavypurple · 27/12/2021 20:07
And just to add, how clearly many people (men) find these jokes funny otherwise they would fail to include them in their sets anymore.
In relation to pp this is exactly what I’m talking about, if sexual violence was experienced by men on such a phenomenal scale as it does to women I dount it would be used as a punchline, much less seen as funny in any way.
Just10moreminutesplease · 27/12/2021 20:14
I think a lot of jokes make people laugh because they are shocking.
I’ve been a victim of sexual assault and have also laughed at jokes about it. I don’t think it makes me a bad person… it’s just gallows humour.
I mean, I’m not a big fan of Jimmy Carr, but I would have read that joke as being at the expense of the men who cheered, not at the expense of women. Surely he drew them in then turned on them by calling them rapists?
DragonMovie · 27/12/2021 20:20
I understand what you’re saying OP I think. Is it that you find it revealing about the mindset of society that a. there is appetite for these jokes and b. that there are so many men happy to tell them.
If so, I agree - it is depressing that no one finds jokes about violence against women beyond the line like they do the other topics you mentioned.
Also agree with pro free speech posters but I don’t think this is about censorship but a concern for what’s inside our heads as a society.
SantaClawsServiette · 27/12/2021 21:32
While I don't find Carr funny, I don't think some topics are too serious for humour. Quite the opposite really, in several of the areas I've worked, health care and the military, the tendency is for the most really awful things to be joked about. Because you know often they are quite absurd in their own way.
I dislike the assumption that a woman would never find a joke about rape funny if she's been raped, or about abuse funny if she's been abused. It's just not true. Anyone who does not find such things funny or relatable or cathartic should not watch them, but please don't assume everyone else feels the same.
Sally872 · 27/12/2021 21:36
I watched some of Jimmy Carr on Netflix and didn't continue as it was offensive.
I wouldn't say all male comediens are like that though. Russell Howard and probably Chris Ramsey spring to mind as good ones.
Jimmy Carr is particularly bad. I think his off the cuff replies on talk shows can be witty but his prepared stuff seems to be as shocking/offensive as possible.
JustFrigginNameChange · 27/12/2021 21:43
I have just finished watching his show on Netflix and quite enjoyed it! You make a very good point though op. Why was it okay to joke about rape but not about BLM? I did wonder where he was going with the BLM but he remained politically correct. It was interesting. Perhaps it’s because he wouldn’t receive the same kind of backlash joking about dehumanising a woman as he would do joking about BLM?
IncorrigibleTitmouse · 27/12/2021 22:22
My ex made me go with him to see him live in 2009 (even though I didn't like him) and he absolutely tanked and cut his set short, giving the audience a hard time about not laughing. Given that most of his jokes were about dead babies, HIV patients, red-haired people, foster children and overtly anti-women I don't know what he expected. Hideous.
tearinghairout · 27/12/2021 23:04
I totally agree with you, OP. I loathe JC. I know he has joked about rape in the past, but didn't realise he was still doing it. The horrible man is ubiquitous - must be something to do with his contract. He was relentless in his pisstaking of Amanda Holden on I Can Hear Your Voice. She took it in good part but to me it felt like bullying.
I like to feel that I can relax with comedians and not be trapped into laughing at jokes about rape. I can't imagine e.g. Michael McIntyre making those jokes.
hivemindneeded · 27/12/2021 23:39
@JustFrigginNameChange
Why was it OK to stay on track with BLM and not with rape jokes? Well he's a weasel who is scared of riling black men but not scared of the reactions of women.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.