Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
6:10 - 6:55
Is that too offensive for today's audiences?
How do you think this joke holds up?
- Thread starter Padawanbater2
- Start date
6:10 - 6:55
Is that too offensive for today's audiences?
Blaze Master
Well-Known Member
I don't know about that joke. Although the one immediately following it about Cosby certainly doesn't hold up today.
SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
It's comedy...
Unclebaldrick
Well-Known Member
That outfit doesn't hold up today.
SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
He said he made jokes at the expense of gays and now gay people hate him for it.
You have to remember that was the 80's, Ellen came out around 97 and people thought the world had ended.
Look at his outfit, he's clearly not "offended" by gay people.
Antidisestablishmentarian
Well-Known Member
I think he'd face a whirlwind of bad press and hatred toward him if he did that joke today, and rightfully so.
Things were different back then.
Things were different back then.
SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
I think comics should be allowed say pretty much whatever they want during their set...
When you go to a comedy show you should know to leave your political correctness outside.
Fogdog
Well-Known Member
What is your point?
Unclebaldrick
Well-Known Member
Pad doesn't always have a point.
I really think you need to understand this sort of thing in it's own context. It is easy to see Eddie Murphy and think of him today while missing the point that this was 30 years ago. A lot changes in 30 years as is shown by his awesome leather catsuit. But while styles come and go and then come back again, the attitudes that make his jokes funny at the time should not.
SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
Pad doesn't always have a point.
I really think you need to understand this sort of thing in it's own context. It is easy to see Eddie Murphy and think of him today while missing the point that this was 30 years ago. A lot changes in 30 years as is shown by his awesome leather catsuit. But while styles come and go and then come back again, the attitudes that make his jokes funny at the time should not.
M.A.G.A
Fogdog
Well-Known Member
Humor is often edgy and pushes limits. Comedians aren't public employees and are for the most part independent operators. As such, they can pretty much say whatever they think is funny. If people don't like what the comedian said, there is nothing to stop them from not attending the show.
So, by my taste, I don't much care for Eddie Murphy's routine. I don't go to his shows either. Haven't ever, for that matter.
You are correct that public attitudes have shifted but I think some people will still think what Murphy said is funny. If my boss played the routine over the intercom during work, then I'd have to say it crossed the line. If he repeatedly does so I'd have to make up my mind about what to do. I also interrupt people if they start telling a racist or insensitive joke. But that's different from going to a show. The cable guy can get a little offensive sometimes too. Don't go to the show if you don't like the guy's material.
So, by my taste, I don't much care for Eddie Murphy's routine. I don't go to his shows either. Haven't ever, for that matter.
You are correct that public attitudes have shifted but I think some people will still think what Murphy said is funny. If my boss played the routine over the intercom during work, then I'd have to say it crossed the line. If he repeatedly does so I'd have to make up my mind about what to do. I also interrupt people if they start telling a racist or insensitive joke. But that's different from going to a show. The cable guy can get a little offensive sometimes too. Don't go to the show if you don't like the guy's material.
666888
Well-Known Member
That's right, according to you everybody's gay or wants to be
Gays are a very small part of the community, with a very loud voice against everything that's not gay
But they still have a sense of humour, hopefully
srh88
Well-Known Member
He got busted with a tranny hooker I think
Big_Lou
Well-Known Member
Several times. And linked to Johnny Gil, Tevin Campbell, Arsenio, etc. Like I said, I thought it was common knowledge. (?)
Endless stories, potential rumors, and functioning eyesight aside, he's always had a ton of 'theatrical flair'. Him and Arsenio excel in drag.....
These two would have to be HAULED from the closet, though, heh.
Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
I was watching that and was wondering what made that bit funny back then? He's not exactly making fun of a gay person imo, I think we've all heard the inflection in many gay men's voices, the way he says it and the visual of a gay guy riding atop a police car is funny. I guess it could be offensive to suggest that gay people are more promiscuous the way he ended it by groping his ass, but I think if you asked people who take offense to that joke today they'd probably give another reason. Is it offensive to imitate the voice of another race/gender/sexual orientation/etc.? I've seen black comics imitate the 'white guy' voice, Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappelle have hilarious 'white guy' voices.
So what makes the joke offensive in your opinion?
Fogdog
Well-Known Member
If a comedian makes his living telling jokes to klansmen that only klansmen like because they play to sterotypes then I'm more troubled by the fact that there are klansmen than that there is a comedian cashing in on it.
For me it gets back to the Economist writing style guide for PC.
http://www.economist.com/style-guide/political-correctness
Avoid, if you can, giving gratuitous offence (see Euphemisms): you risk losing your readers, or at least their goodwill, and therefore your arguments. But pandering to every plea for politically correct terminology may make your prose unreadable, and therefore also unread.
So strike a balance. If you judge that a group wishes to be known by a particular term, that the term is widely understood and that using any other would seem odd, old-fashioned or offensive, then use it. Context may be important: Coloured is a common term in South Africa for people of mixed race; it is not considered derogatory. Elsewhere it may be. Remember that both times and terms change: expressions that were in common use a few decades ago are now odious. Nothing is to be gained by casually insulting your readers.
On the other hand, do not labour to avoid imaginary insults, especially if the effort does violence to the language. Some people, such as the members of the Task Force on Bias-Free Language of the Association of American University Presses, believe that ghetto-blaster is “offensive as a stereotype of African-American culture”, that it is invidious to speak of a normal child, that massacre should not be used “to refer to a successful American Indian raid or battle victory against white colonisers and invaders”, and that the use of the term cretin is distressing. They want, they say, to avoid “victimisation” and to get “the person before the disability”. The intent may be admirable, but they are unduly sensitive, often inventing slights where none exists.
Basically, I'm bothered by jokes that gratuitously demean others or are cruel regarding a person's situation. The Darwin awards for example celebrate foolish acts that end in death and I can't help but feel for the victim's grieving survivors. I'm not a nice person and so don't hold others to a standard that I don't hold. It's not a matter of morality But it's senseless to offend or cause emotional grief of people for no reason. There is plenty of opportunity to have a good laugh without demeaning others.
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Fogdog
Well-Known Member
you don't know very much.