The rape joke...

# 16 Sep, 2013 16:49
Jazzman	Hey guys, great podcast this week as always. For the first time however, I was a little confused when you were talking about this issue of the rape joke. To me, it sounded like you were more against bad comedy than the subject matter itself, and I don't see how anyone could disagree with you on that, especially Rogan and co. I think the main issue here that comedians have a problem with is that if you censor one topic, then where does it stop? George Carlin jokes about murder and it's hilarious, but it's still a sensitive subject. The reason he can get away with it is because he is a great comic. Daniel Tosh's rape joke wasn't funny, it wasn't part of his act and clearly wasn't very well thought out. Another reason comedians got so mad about this topic is because they were the ones that took all the backlash, there are horrible rape scenes in movies and tv shows but comedians can't make a joke about it in case it upsets someone in the crowd? Wouldn't seeing rape be reenacted trigger way worse memories? Why is that allowed,or is it because of the context? Apologies, this is turning into a rant. I have read two of your books and listened to all the podcasts, for the first time i was listening to you thinking, “I don't really know what he is trying to say here…” Thanks quote

# 16 Sep, 2013 16:49

Hey guys, great podcast this week as always.

For the first time however, I was a little confused when you were talking about this issue of the rape joke. To me, it sounded like you were more against bad comedy than the subject matter itself, and I don't see how anyone could disagree with you on that, especially Rogan and co.

I think the main issue here that comedians have a problem with is that if you censor one topic, then where does it stop? George Carlin jokes about murder and it's hilarious, but it's still a sensitive subject. The reason he can get away with it is because he is a great comic. Daniel Tosh's rape joke wasn't funny, it wasn't part of his act and clearly wasn't very well thought out.

Another reason comedians got so mad about this topic is because they were the ones that took all the backlash, there are horrible rape scenes in movies and tv shows but comedians can't make a joke about it in case it upsets someone in the crowd? Wouldn't seeing rape be reenacted trigger way worse memories? Why is that allowed,or is it because of the context? Apologies, this is turning into a rant.

I have read two of your books and listened to all the podcasts, for the first time i was listening to you thinking, “I don't really know what he is trying to say here…”

Thanks

# 17 Sep, 2013 14:50
CoalbedEtc.	I enjoyed the podcast as well. I thought it was a great closure to their first year of episodes. Hearing about the rape joke ordeal..I agree with you - it wasn't well thought-out or done in good taste. I understand what Daniele and Rich were saying in light of their conversation - some comedy can be appropriate and also inappropriate, it really just depends on the audience. Overall the whole deal really was “xorcising horror through comedy vs. just being a dick.” quote

# 17 Sep, 2013 14:50

CoalbedEtc.

I enjoyed the podcast as well. I thought it was a great closure to their first year of episodes.
Hearing about the rape joke ordeal..I agree with you - it wasn't well thought-out or done in good taste. I understand what Daniele and Rich were saying in light of their conversation - some comedy can be appropriate and also inappropriate, it really just depends on the audience. Overall the whole deal really was “xorcising horror through comedy vs. just being a dick.”

# 17 Sep, 2013 21:58
BennyB	Jazzman Hey guys, great podcast this week as always. Another reason comedians got so mad about this topic is because they were the ones that took all the backlash, there are horrible rape scenes in movies and tv shows but comedians can't make a joke about it in case it upsets someone in the crowd? Wouldn't seeing rape be reenacted trigger way worse memories? Why is that allowed I logged into this thread to make that exact same point. No-ones a fan of rape or rapists, and no-ones a fan of cheap shot shitty jokes that make people feel bad, least of all me.. But why is it that stand ups aren't allowed to use their art form to explore a certain subject without catching heat, but film, music, TV etc. has free reign? I can think of SOOO many films (ok, like 5) where a central motif is that someone gets raped and the ‘hero’ character gets revenge on her (sometimes even his) behalf…straw dogs, once we're warriors, kickboxer, 300, Rob Roy, shawshank redemption, pulp fiction that's just straight off the top of my head and some of those scenes are brutal, horrible graphic depictions of sexual violence in some really popular and fantastic movies. No one complains about those. Making certain topics ‘off limits’ to commedians seems too much like censorship to me, as much as the Tosh thing seemed a bit distasteful. quote

# 17 Sep, 2013 21:58

BennyB

Jazzman
Hey guys, great podcast this week as always.

Another reason comedians got so mad about this topic is because they were the ones that took all the backlash, there are horrible rape scenes in movies and tv shows but comedians can't make a joke about it in case it upsets someone in the crowd? Wouldn't seeing rape be reenacted trigger way worse memories? Why is that allowed

I logged into this thread to make that exact same point. No-ones a fan of rape or rapists, and no-ones a fan of cheap shot shitty jokes that make people feel bad, least of all me..

But why is it that stand ups aren't allowed to use their art form to explore a certain subject without catching heat, but film, music, TV etc. has free reign?

I can think of SOOO many films (ok, like 5) where a central motif is that someone gets raped and the ‘hero’ character gets revenge on her (sometimes even his) behalf…straw dogs, once we're warriors, kickboxer, 300, Rob Roy, shawshank redemption, pulp fiction that's just straight off the top of my head and some of those scenes are brutal, horrible graphic depictions of sexual violence in some really popular and fantastic movies. No one complains about those.

Making certain topics ‘off limits’ to commedians seems too much like censorship to me, as much as the Tosh thing seemed a bit distasteful.

# 18 Sep, 2013 20:57
I_Am_A_Savage	Ha! Benny B, you forgot the two best movies that depicted rape, Deliverence and Half Baked, I think both were implied, but you get the gist. Seriously, nothing should be censored or “off limits” to anyone. There are ways of making everything funny and tasteful, just see my suggestions for the two movies above. I'm sure, well hopefully, you laughed. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just don't think censorship belongs anywhere in the entertainment industry. If you allow certain topics to be off limits, then where will it end? If you don't like a certain form of entertainment, topic, or entertainer, don't watch, listen or support it. Maybe thats the only form of censorship that belongs, is your individual ability to not pay attention to that form of media. Change the world … but start with yourself first … then the world immediately around you? quote

# 18 Sep, 2013 20:57

I_Am_A_Savage

Ha! Benny B, you forgot the two best movies that depicted rape, Deliverence and Half Baked, I think both were implied, but you get the gist. Seriously, nothing should be censored or “off limits” to anyone. There are ways of making everything funny and tasteful, just see my suggestions for the two movies above. I'm sure, well hopefully, you laughed. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just don't think censorship belongs anywhere in the entertainment industry. If you allow certain topics to be off limits, then where will it end? If you don't like a certain form of entertainment, topic, or entertainer, don't watch, listen or support it. Maybe thats the only form of censorship that belongs, is your individual ability to not pay attention to that form of media.

Change the world … but start with yourself first … then the world immediately around you?