How do you think this joke holds up?

Fogdog said:

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 emotional grief of people for no reason. There is plenty of opportunity to have a good laugh without demeaning others.

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Padawanbater2 said:

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?

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Fogdog said:

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.

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tangerinegreen555 said:

Sometimes, comedy is funny because of the comedian.
I loved Don Rickles 30 years ago. When others tried to do his stuff, it just wasn't funny. When Rickles did it, it was hilarious. Maybe because we understood it was his act and not the real Don Rickles, and that he fucked with everybody.

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Unclebaldrick said:

Rickles. A couple years ago I was driving through middle Michigan and passed by an Indian casino (Firekeepers?). Rickles was on the marquee for a forthcoming show. Now I am no Rickles fanboy but I do appreciate a good anachronism, so I called. $195 for crap seats! So I passed. But I really wished I got to go (he cancelled the show actually, or postponed it). Turns out he was only doing two sets of shows that year. Can you imagine the crowd? People who will shell out $600 for good seats, for Rickles? In, like, 2014? I still think about them. A mix of very old guys with 60 year old bleached blond former beauty queens mixed with 21st Century Mafia throwbacks mixed with a bunch of hipster doofuses. Oy.

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tangerinegreen555 said:

I wonder what people would think of Lenny Bruce these days?

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tangerinegreen555 said:

Sometimes, comedy is funny because of the comedian.
I loved Don Rickles 30 years ago. When others tried to do his stuff, it just wasn't funny. When Rickles did it, it was hilarious. Maybe because we understood it was his act and not the real Don Rickles, and that he fucked with everybody.

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tangerinegreen555 said:

I wonder what people would think of Lenny Bruce these days?

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tangerinegreen555 said:

I watch reruns of Johnny Carson on AntennaTV once or twice a week.
Reminds me of my youth.

So, I see old comedy weekly and accept it for what it was.

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SneekyNinja said:

I think you guys are over-ANALysing the joke.

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SneekyNinja said:

I think you guys are over-ANALysing the joke.

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Big_Lou said:

Good point, and huge fan. Here he is at the top of his game, railing on Norm and Artie, as they try not to lose their shit:

LOL

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Unclebaldrick said:

That is not the top of his game, Lou.

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Big_Lou said:

Well I feel it is, and this is all that matters. Had I seen and enjoyed him for 30+ years prior? His back and forth with Carson? Roasts? Guest spots and routines? Obviously.

I was trying to emphasize his age during this film, the fact that he was still Mr. Warmth after all these years, sigh....

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Unclebaldrick said:

Sorry. Norm ruined it for me.

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