Konstantin Kisin, a stand-up comedian, was recently asked to sign a contract vowing to avoid a list of possibly "offensive" themes before performing at a UK institution. Meanwhile, Nimesh Patel, a US comedian and Saturday Night Live writer was reportedly "forced off stage" at a gig at Columbia University for delivering "offensive" remarks.
Based on the comments, it appears that these occurrences are examples of comedians who are regarded too provocative for an audience of excessively sensitive, "politically correct," and "snowflakes."
From Lenny Bruce and Michael Richards in the US to Julian Clary and Frankie Boyle in the UK, comedians have often been accused of going too far. But a comedian’s overarching intention is to amuse, not to offend. Some may intend to shock Apart from Stewart Lee's attack on Richard Hammond, it's difficult to remember of many popular examples these days where comedians consciously set out to injure someone with their comments. No comic has ever succeeded by alienating their prospective audience, and research shows that few comedians like being accused of offending.
True offensive humor is rarely actually humorous, and comedians are wise enough to recognize that unfunny shows with limited audience appeal earn fewer bookings. Giving offense is generally a cause for remorse. Consider US comedian Kathy Griffin's apologies for the Donald Trump/severed head issue.
However, comedians and their rhetoric must continually adapt to changing social norms. For example, the setting of #MeToo has changed everything regarding apparently amusing attitudes toward males lusting after women.
Keeping up with the trends merely requires comedians to be more inventive and less sloppy with their material. The ancient ones aren't always the greatest.
But designated forums for comic commentary should not be seen as platforms for taking offense and nobody should go to listen to comedians speak if they cannot accept that there will be jokes – some of which they may not find funny. In any case, alternative forums for non-ironic commentary exist.
Unlike the speaker at a comedy club, jokes are frequently not clearly signaled over the internet and social media. When and if relevant, the offense can be taken more seriously.
It's becoming increasingly difficult for comedians to indicate - and identify - their aim, which is where they frequently fail in the offense stakes. As a result, Twitter storms can erupt, as seen with the Australian comedian Becky Lucas, who was banned from Twitter after making an online joke about killing Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
Otherwise, the comedy-related offense is immaterial. Whatever you believe about comedians' use of humor to change people's minds on important topics, the bottom truth is that comedians are there to make you laugh, not to be taken seriously.
Yonkers Comedy Club highly promotes and welcome all type of stand up comedy talent that ensures art is properly exhibited in front of the whole crowd without any discrimination.
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