Cleese is great.
On a serious note, I think EmpressWitch has it exactly right re Tamikka Brents, etc. Some influential activists won't care if one or a dozen or a thousand women are seriously injured or die as a result of the policies they promote; they've made it very clear that they believe the feelings of male people come before the safetylet alone the opportunities, dignity and comfortof female people.
On a much lighter note:
However I think the concept of taking the piss is lost on the majority of Americans (do they even have a phrase for it?)
Hm, as an American who lived in the UK for several years, I think "taking the piss" has a few usages, no? (Please do correct me if I'm wrong; I find language totally fascinating!)
In the generally friendly sense of "Don't worry, I'm just taking the piss" I think Americans would say, "Don't worry, I'm just messing with you/fucking with you [v vulgar]/breaking your balls [v vulgar and mostly appropriate if you're Tony Soprano]."
In the sense of "This is ridiculous; are you taking the piss?" I think Americans would normally say, "This is ridiculous; are you kidding me?/You've got to be [fucking] kidding me."
In the sense of "using cutting humor to deflate self-important/arrogant/unreasonable behavior," hmmm... I think the concept of "snark" applies?