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Comedy - Anything Goes?

Esther - posted on 06/16/2011 ( 12 moms have responded )

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Recently there has been some controversy over remarks that Tracy Morgan made during a stand-up routine that were quite homophobic.

(from the article linked below): "Among Morgan’s most upsetting comments, according to audience member Kevin Rogers, who relayed Morgan’s rant via a Facebook post, was (Rogers paraphrased) that Morgan said that gays were not “born this way,” and lesbians don’t really like women, they just hate men.

Finally, Morgan made the weirdest statement of the evening. If he found out his son were gay, he would pull out a knife and stab the “little nigga” to death."

There is discussion now on whether or not Tracy has anything to apologize for. Some people seem to be of the opinion that comedians are supposed to push boundaries and therefore anything goes in comedy. Others think there are still lines that you just don't cross, even in comedy.

Where do you all come down on this?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...

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JuLeah - posted on 06/17/2011

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I don't think Tracy needs to apologize for anything unless he one day comes so see the mistake (my opinon) he made and is moved to do so.



Really, I would much perfer he stop spreading hate fear and misunderstanding.



There are father's out there who do and have taken a knife to their son. Tracy not only made that okay, but funny.



I can't tell you the number of women I know, self included, who have been harassed, bullied, smacked around, raped .... based on the idea that we don't like women, we hate men, so "Let me show you what a real man is like" I have heard - more then once.



In spite of it all, I still don't hate men. But, Tracy has made their behavior okay in their minds.



Is a joke funny if it brings someone to tears. I see it on the playground all the time. Some kid crying, shirt torn, bloody nose and all the others saying, "Ohh, come on teacher, we were just joking"



In a face to face conversation, would anyone laugh at his words or ideas? Put them in a large group, give em a few drinks ....



In my opinion, comedy like Ellen is funny. She doesn't slam, hurt, make fun of anyone. She is kind and spreads a message of kind.



This is not kind.

Dana - posted on 06/17/2011

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Yeah, I heard what he said and comments afterwards, it's not in the name of comedy. This is how he truly feels.

The part that was paraphrased also originally included him saying "God doesn't make mistakes" - that's not comedy, that's opinion.

Esther - posted on 06/17/2011

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I think he crossed a line. He wasn't funny, he was just offensive which in light of all the suicides we've had among gay teens, bothers me a lot. I think there is still a real problem with homophobia particularly in the African American community and "jokes" like these just perpetuate that. Besides, I'm not even sure it was really a joke. I think if these sentiments weren't in his heart, he wouldn't make jokes like that. His friends' "defense" seems to be that he's not very smart and very self absorbed. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that.

Dana - posted on 06/16/2011

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There's a line and he crossed it. Talking stereotypes and making fun of that is fine in comedy. Being an outright bigot is not.





***Edited to add**

I saw this on The View the other day. For those who don't know about The View, the panel consists of 3 out of the 5 women, being comedians. Even they, who always stick up for comedians, saying nothing is off limits, said this was not right.

Rebecca - posted on 06/16/2011

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Bottom line, it has to actually be funny. Stand-ups know this right away - sometimes by then it is too late though. It can be totally offensive, but if it is not funny...you're fucked. Some comedians straddle a fine line, they tend to be the ones that are either wildly funny or not at all.

At TM's level though, he should be able to do better. My guess is he has too many people around him telling him his shit doesn't stink. It happens to the best of them when they make a shit load of money and start believing they are gold to say anything (and it'll be hilarious). Look at that video Eddie Murphy in the 80's singing that awful pop song...someone told him he was soo talented he should make a video, a music video.

Charlie - posted on 06/16/2011

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There is a fine line between funny and offensive , a good comedien could have said the same thing but phrased it differently or had a better delivery and everyone may have laughed ...I think this mans only crime is that he
just .isnt.funny.

Constance - posted on 06/16/2011

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Comedians are always pushing the bounderies. I agree that it has to be funny, bbut all comedian offend someone one way or another. One of my favorite comedian is Ralphie May and he is completely politically incorrect. Comedians in general do not do anything intentionally to offend. I don't think it is completely necessary for him to have to apologized but it does show that he is a stand up guy for going back and publicly apologize to anyone that offended.

Lady Heather - posted on 06/16/2011

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I don't mind actual comedy that crosses a line, but if it's not even funny? wtf? Was he on drugs or something?

Amanda - posted on 06/16/2011

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Jennys right, it has to be funny. To me those statements arent funny, but then I also cant see his facial expressions or tone of voice.

Ps the link doesnt work.

Jenny - posted on 06/16/2011

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I don't think anything is off limits in comedy. It does have to be actually funny though.

Amanda - posted on 06/16/2011

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This is not comedy, its just rude. I have heard plenty of actually funny comdey about homosexuals that wasnt so offensive.

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