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Where do you draw the line with comedy? What is okay to make fun of and what isn't?

In light of the recent controversy surrounding Dave Chappelle.
BananaBrown · 41-45, F Best Comment
I’m a big supporter of the LGBTQ community, and I think kindness matters. However, people (including comedians such as Dave Chappelle) are entitled to their opinions and free speech. It doesn’t mean everyone will find it funny. In this particular case, I have to agree with one thing Dave did say… you weren’t forced to listen to him, whether on television or in person. If you take issue with it, then you have that right, but don’t come at him for expressing his personal beliefs or for making jokes you may find uncomfortable, on HIS show. I didn’t find some of the jokes from this recent special funny, but some of it was hilarious. I’m not crying and complaining and griping about what I didn’t like. I laughed at what I thought was funny and let go of what I thought wasn’t. It’s called being an adult.
Carlisle · F
@BananaBrown this ☝🏽Is the best comment

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@DemonicDelight George Carlin was the best!
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@DemonicDelight As Billy Joel said, "only the good die young"
Iwillwait · M
In comedy I feel anything goes. Oviously racist, despairing hate type jokes will not be tolerated. I feel most comics are constantly pushing the boundaries of observation and story telling. Society (today) is very sensitive and also half cocked ready to pounce on any person for anything for the sake of being able to do so confidently in a mob rules menraliity. Chapelle is funny and edgy to most people who like that kind of humour. The solution is super easy: You don't like their material, don't pay to see them or hire them for your Bar Mitzvah.
SW-User
@Carlisle I watched the now infamous scene, including the last line directed at the community. I think he absolutely has a point, especially about the way in which the LGBTQ community often eats its own. Instead of just covering our ears and canceling him for it, maybe we should try and understand another perspective? I don't see how that could be a bad thing.
Carlisle · F
@Iwillwait glad you watched it.
I didn’t know Kevin hart was cancelled for the Oscars
Iwillwait · M
@Carlisle yes, they "Them, They, The Others," demanded he apologize for a joke he told a decade ago. He refused, said really? Wtf?
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
People need to lighten up. It’s comedy
Mindful · 56-60, F
Comedy is live art.@bijouxbroussard
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
@bijouxbroussard no but if they don’t like it, then don’t watch it. If we cancelled everything because it was offensive to one person or another, there would be no tv, movies, radios, music. There would be no comedy, theatre, museums, art galleries etc etc etc
@Jenny1234 I agree with that. I don’t want to go back to the days when shows were interrupted by police storming the stage like they did with Lenny Bruce and Dick Gregory. Whoever doesn’t like an artist can vote with their wallets.
Jokekilla · 26-30, M
I am a huge Dave Chappelle fan, so I've been following this "cancel culture" of his since they released the first Netflix specials, where he does also make trans jokes. He also mentioned it in his specials that they're just jokes and he supports the LGBTQ and equal rights.
He also mentioned that he has made a lot of people in the trans community (LGBTQ) upset because of those jokes. It's all for jokes, people now-a-days are overly sensitive.
I believe people will actually know a difference between comedy and just plain old offensive stuff. That being said people are just overreacting with everything he puts out, this isn't the first time people want to "cancel" him, and i doubt he will ever be "canceled".
Comedy pushes boundaries to get a reaction from the audience, but it's all for entertainment. People in general shouldn't take comedy serious, but that's life and now it sucks cause people want to filter comedy.
SW-User
@Jokekilla I don't think he will ever be "canceled" either. Unfortunately the threat of being canceled is such a prominent social reality that comedians now make talking about cancel culture and the possibility of being canceled a feature of their comedy (and that's sad because it's rarely funny or interesting).

I am also a member of the LGBTQ community. I have no problem with jokes about us if it's clear they're not malicious. As I was saying in my response to MalteseFalcon, there should be a clear difference between making a joke and going on a bigoted rant. As far as I know, Chappelle has not done that.
@Jokekilla People have their own reasons for feeling “sensitive” about jokes they perceive as cruel. And that’s when they vote with their wallets. I don’t think anyone should be prohibited from performing their comedy, If I don’t find them funny, I don’t go to see them. It’s pretty straightforward.
Jokekilla · 26-30, M
@SW-User I’m also part of the LGBTQ community and if anything I found it more funnier the jokes he was saying.

@bijouxbroussard you make a great point on if you don’t support the comedian just don’t watch him, but people don’t see it that way now. They just wanna end your career which is literally ridiculous.
If i find it funny, im gonna laugh.
ExtremeNext · 31-35
@BettyBeez 🤣
SW-User
@BettyBeez Same. Sometimes I'm surprised by what I find funny, other times it's quite predictable.

There are many things I don't find funny, but I wouldn't say those things shouldn't be allowed or that anyone who makes such jokes should be "canceled" or whatever. 🤷‍♂️
@SW-User I agree with that. People shouldn’t be prohibited from performing just because some are offended. They just know not to go see that person’s show again.
DCarey · 46-50, M
You don't draw a line. You make fun of every fucking thing. It's comedy.
GeorgeTBH · 31-35, M
there shouldn't be any line with comedy it's all jokes
GeorgeTBH · 31-35, M
@Abstraction 🤔 your opinion and you are welcomed to it
Abstraction · 61-69, M
@GeorgeTBH I appreciate what you're saying also. The context of standup is very different to issues I pointed to.
GeorgeTBH · 31-35, M
@Abstraction 🤔 again your opinion not everyone's
SW-User
No line
Nothing is off the table
People need to get over themselves
@SW-User Baloney. Not everything is funny.
Carlisle · F
I don’t know. 🤷🏻‍♀️
It’s like fiction isn’t it. What they are saying is an act. Like when an actor goes on stage. Or is it?
Is it what the comedian really thinks?
And the audience laughs because they are unleashing a dark side?
I don’t know.
Piper · 61-69, F
That line is and always been, an individual thing. I know that I am 'stating' the obvious. For me, it is when the "comedy" is intentionally...pointedly just [u]cruel[/u].
There have always been comedians who do or have come close to crossing that line, of course. I don't know much about Dave Chappelle or the recent controversy about him. I figure people can express their [i]displeasure[/i] with him all they want, but I would not be among those trying to get him or any other comedian kicked off any venue because [b]I[/b] found them offensive.
Carlisle · F
Comedy May end up being the only place someone can take their politics and let rip.
Their religious beliefs
Their sexual orientation
Strong views
And get away with it
Minorities when they collectively protest May still make up a small minority and be over looked. So it is important that we hear what small minority groups are saying and it’s important that they be heard.
But I do believe that cancelling someone entirely is a big deal. What Dave said was something along the lines of akin to killing someone. Destroying their image taking away their livelihood their self esteem.
Racism
Discrimination
These things should be taken seriously
But when deciding the fate of someone’s life maybe give them the opportunity to make it right instead of cancelling them.
And I would stress that this is for only ignorance. They can be educated. Anyone deliberately and knowingly racist and discriminatory should no doubt be cancelled.
It’s a complex thing that I’m glad I don’t have to be the one to decide such a thing.
ExtremeNext · 31-35
I make fun of every thing and everybody even your goofy looking face
chrisCA · M
Everything goes.
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SW-User
@MalteseFalconPunch I haven't seen it so I didn't want to get too specific about it without knowing exactly what he said, but I agree that making a joke is one thing, going on a sincere rant is another.
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Quetzalcoatlus · 46-50, M
Art is subjective
pattycakechamp · 26-30, F
You don't joke about the recently deceased or national tragedies. That being said, comedy is a way to cope and process while keeping your head above water.
Driver2 · M
It’s all personal if you don’t like it don’t listen
If you want than say something
But don’t censor it
I don’t like [b]cruel[/b] humor, never have. It’s one of the reasons I can pretty much take or leave Chappelle.
Adstar · 56-60, M
I believe in freedom of speech, even if it offends.. People are free to respond with their own freedom of speech reply.. I cannot stand people who seek to suppress freedom and get other people censored.. They are dictators and jackboot fascists.. 😡
thats the trouble, everyone has sacred things they wouldn't let you touch, and once you start putting things off limits, everyone has as much right to say 'no, you can't' for whatever stupid thing they want
HannahSky · F
I have to see Chapelle before I can comment on this show. I love Chapelle, we'll see.
Carlisle · F
Ok you know when I’m tired when I comment a second time on a post Iv already commented on 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😂
Ksmile14 · F
OK--Everything

Not OK--Nothing
Mrsbetweenfatandfit · 26-30, F
Personally subject matter is pretty much everything. I think any topic mostly can be funny. It depends though on the context, the timing, delivery & audience if it will be good humor or not.

 
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