Should comedy have limits, or should anything be allowed in jokes?

Question

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

I think you need to be a bit more specific when you say "comedy", which is a huge umbrella.. For example, if we are talking about stand-up comedy shows, then in my opinion anything is fair game. These tend to be adults-only shows and 100% voluntary attendance.

If we are talking about a TV show with comedy elements, then there probably needs to be a few guardrails, especially for network TV.

If we are talking about a comedy portion of a fundraiser open to the public and especially to kids, then there needs to be even more restrictions because the show needs to be child-friendly.

I think we all understand this and this is how we already operate outside of a rare exception (which often comes with consequences).

Smegskull · Accepted Answer

I think anything has to be allowed. If there are limits on comedy whoever sets those limits has an ever expanding power.

TsundereMatrix · Accepted Answer

I think it depends more on how the joke is delivered rather than what the joke is about. As someone said, there’s comedians out there that can give dark jokes but still be compassionate about it. There have been several disabled people appear on talent shows like America’s Got Talent and joke about their own disability. Some of them have said it’s how they cope with their disability.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

When there's no limits there's a risk it stops being comedy and becomes a campaign. It's all too easy to stir up hate and cause discrimination whilst claiming your only having a laugh. Comedy dehumanised groups in the past, once you're the butt of jokes on stage it's impossible to be taken seriously in the real world.

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

Comedy should push boundaries, but it’s not living in a vacuum. I think anything can be joked about in theory, but not by anyone, anywhere, in any way. Context, intention and power dynamics matter a lot. Punching up feels very different from mocking vulnerable groups. Some “edgy” jokes age horribly. The best comedians manage dark topics while still being compassionate and clever. 😄🎭

ammar12343 · Answer

I mean I don’t think there should be any authoritative entity regulating comedy, but I do believe there’s a lot of tact required for good comedy. Insult comedians have a fine line to walk. You want to insult someone in an edgy way but have them laugh at it as well. If you’re just an asshole and a blabbering idiot pushing boundaries just to push them, then I’d think people wouldn’t pay to see them. Joking about racism and sexism is also a fine line. A good comedian knows how to walk that line. Bad ones get weeded out.

OneViewpoint · Answer

It's a slippery slope once government starts censoring comedians. Comedians can be some of the smartest people... Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, etc. Some of their stuff was controversial. Religion, politics, racism, capitalism vs communism. But it made people think and talk about it. They saw things other people did not.

Anyone can always simply self censor anything you want. Don't buy a ticket to the comedian's show. Walk out of a performance. Counter a viewpoint with your own comedy.

Leave the comedians alone to live or die professionally based on the merit of their comedy.

Screenwriter · Answer

It's going to be according to how the comic operates. Some are edgy and anything goes. Middle of the road comics, like Jim Gaffigan aren't likely to be awfully offensive. Jeselnik, on the other hand, often says offensive things that are still awfully funny.

I'd gauge it with who you're watching perform. Chapelle, just about anything goes!

najekim · Answer

Much comedy comes from watching the absurd in everyday life. George Carlin, Gallagher, and Louie Anderson were good examples for this approach.

Take George Carlin for example, many skits he did I was on the opposite side of what he was talking about, but that does not give me permission, nor the right, to censor what he said because that is what limiting comedians would be labelled as. He is just as entitled to make fun of what he thought would be humor to the majority as anyone is. With that said, most comedians do follow an unwritten code amongst themselves of subjects not to talk about.

If you don't like it, just wait for the next skit or leave. Folks today to too soft skin, whinny, and needing their diapers changed, about stuff people say they don't agree with.

Hiker_011 · Answer

Certain comedians can pull off joking about terrible things because they're very clever. They know how to make it so funny that they can get away with it. If a comic isn't on the level of someone like Louis C. K. they should probably be careful what they talk about.

CherryLove007 · Answer

Everything on this glowing globe should have limits. I believe that any comic using children in their bit is distasteful first and foremost. I mean we know children are in the process of learning about themselves and life but for me I think it is off limits.

HawkPerception · Answer

There shouldn't be any limits in comedy and if you don't like the jokes because you're offended, then you don't have to attend or watch their show. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and everyone should be entitled to say what they want without being cancelled.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is soft. And there are A LOT of people who think otherwise. That's why it's a society where cancel culture is prevalent. Everyone feels entitled to prevent people from saying certain things.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Comedy should be more or less unrestricted. Just saying offensive crap and claiming it’s a joke, as the hateful leftists did after attempts on Drumpf’s life and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, that’s not comedy. Comedy may be subjective, but it can definitely be qualified.
Comedy in good faith must remain completely unrestricted.

jshm2 · Answer

Contrary to common opinion comedy does have limits. All comedians tend to have a lawyer on retainer, and the lawyer goes through their routine to make sure there is nothing that is going to get them jailed.

Spicy stuff tends to get covered under "artistic licence" but they cannot be out there spilling state secretes, for example.

But on the flip side, it's why former comedians tend to struggle in other roles. You cannot take them seriously, even when they are.

menina · Answer

It should have limits. When it becomes offensive or when they joke about serious matters, it's no longer funny. It's disrespectful.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

When it's public, I'm satisfied with actual laws on the matter. When it's private, there are no limits I know of, I'm also satosifed with that.

AviatorTom · Answer

Anything can be comedy, if it's done in a comedic way. Here is George Carlin with one of his best acts...

MemeSupreme · Answer

no just be able to read a fucking room lol like know your audience

PolarPoint · Answer

I find disgusting sex jokes. Comedy should have limit about sex topic.

strateguy632 · Answer

When they accused it stops being comedy even during stand up comedy. For example "my new cat is like palestinians. It looks around and decided this room is mine".

fantasticass · Answer

It's comedy. We go to have a good laugh and enjoy the comedian. There should be no limits at a comedy show

4ngelic · Answer

no you should be able to joke about anything

Nikki1989 · Answer

It is like anything, there always a limit.

Anonymous · Answer

Everything should be allowed. It’s on the consumer to know what they’re getting into before attending said comedy show or watching certain comedians.

thegreenyogi · Answer

A joke is a joke. It's nothing more than that so yes I believe everything should be allowed.

exitseven · Answer

i am not a big fan of comedians that use obscenities for effect.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Only very rarely. A small handful of topics shouldn't be laughed about.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Allow anything. If it goes too far the comedian will have to reassess or fail. Otherwise you have government deciding what you get to hear.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not Trump, therefore I believe in free speech

AngryCarl3 · Answer

As long as everyone understands that it's a joke I don't think anything should be off limits.

nomomrnice · Answer

To have freedom of speech and we do warn people before they come into a show what to expect

kaucky1 · Answer

Hm 🫣really sometimes not be good cause sometimes fights break out or sometimes doing pranks gets lives cut short dishonesty lives gotten cut short

Anonymous · Answer

if someone is too sensitive or easily offended, then comedy isn't for them

Pohjolan · Answer

A silent audience kind of sets a limit by itself.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Some limits, but most topics should go with comics.

LoveGuy242 · Answer

Everything is only good in limits,  Limitless things are not good at all,

Apulu_backagain · Answer

As long as it is funny to the audience.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Comedy is about punching up, not down.

Dargil · Answer

Allowed or limited by whom or what?

MrChinaski · Answer

Everything is allowed.

whosnumber_1 · Answer

Comedy is an extension of free speech.

Mike_Hum · Answer

Anything is allowed.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe just a few limits.

Grilo · Answer

It’s quite hard to draw limits tbh

Should comedy have limits, or should anything be allowed in jokes?

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