Are there any subjects that are, to you, totally off limits for humour? Or, like me, do you think that anything can be funny if handled with care?
Dude, Not Funny!
- Thread starter Froggy Slayer
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I have a dark sense of humor, so nothing is off limits. However, I can still be offended if it's not handled properly. At any rate, one of my favorite bands is GWAR (like I've said a bazillion times)and they pretty much have covered every taboo you can think of in song. And I chuckle every time.
No, literally anything can be funny. The first time I watched Schindler's List I made jokes all the way through it.
There's an appropriate time and place for everything though, I'd never enjoy black comedy if I had to watch it with my grandparents or something like that...
There's an appropriate time and place for everything though, I'd never enjoy black comedy if I had to watch it with my grandparents or something like that...
Humor is subjective. I prefer if it wasn't personal. Other than that, there really isn't any one thing for me; it's more the context that counts.
I think you can make any situation no matter how bad funny if you turn things on their head, even things like The Holocaust or subjects like child molestation can be funny, so long as you do it in such a way that demeans the typical baddy so the Nazi's or child molesters whilst heightening the victim's status. For example Marcus Brigstock does something to that effect in regards to child molesters trying to entice kids with sweets, but instead makes the guy seem like an idiot. Which really is quite an achievement considering you wouldn't think that situation to be in anyway funny at all.
And then there are things that cross the line so much you have to laugh.
And then there are things that cross the line so much you have to laugh.
I don't know if there are any subjects unfit for humor.
But there are some jokes that the tellers should be shamed for.
I have no sympathy when a comedian like Tosh bombs a rape joke and gets pilloried for it. It's like extreme wingsuiting. Sure, it looks really amazing as you freefall near a cliff edge, skimming the surface with ease. The display of bravery and skill can be breathtaking, and it's made all the more incredible and entertaining because of the danger involved. If you're just a hair off, your head explodes on the rocks. If you want to tell a rape joke or something similar, you'd better be good, or you're (well deserved) hamburger.
But there are some jokes that the tellers should be shamed for.
I have no sympathy when a comedian like Tosh bombs a rape joke and gets pilloried for it. It's like extreme wingsuiting. Sure, it looks really amazing as you freefall near a cliff edge, skimming the surface with ease. The display of bravery and skill can be breathtaking, and it's made all the more incredible and entertaining because of the danger involved. If you're just a hair off, your head explodes on the rocks. If you want to tell a rape joke or something similar, you'd better be good, or you're (well deserved) hamburger.
Oh god, Schindler's List. You've reminded me, there's a bit where some Nazis storm a house and tell all the residents to stand up and there is this poor old guy stuck in his wheelchair. So they pick him up and throw him out the fucking upstairs window for being physically incapable of standing up.Esotera said:
I found that so damn funny. We were watching it in school for history class and my teacher was... Less than happy at me for laughing shall we say.
Hmm perhaps the quote from BlazBlue's Hazama actually holds water at times...
*regarding a super sad character point that he helped create*
"Oh this is too good! This goes straight past tragedy and right into COMEDY!"
Yeah in the right contexts that would actually make sense. I mean so matter of factly lobbing an old guy out a window while his family looks on in horror is kind of funny. Wait that sounds terrible when I spell it out like that. Christ
So yeah, i'll laugh at anything. I mean what is the point of getting offended over a joke? That's so counter productive. Unless it's super cruel like making a really dark joke at a funeral maybe. Even then it would have to be a really mean, tasteless thing.
There is a certain asshole to funniness ratio I tend to go by. For example, Frankie Boyle is capable of making some pretty "terrible" jokes, but to me words are just words. Yes some of the stuff he says makes him a total asshole, but still it's just stuff that he said. There's no physical injury that comes from them. Sticks and stones, and all that stuff. Plus, as someone else pointed out, sometimes the very shock of someone going that far beyond the line can make you laugh.
On the other hand, there's that new trend of "gallon smashing," where some stupid kids grab a couple of gallons of milk or juice at a supermarket, throw themselves and the jugs on the ground hard enough that they smash and spill everywhere, and pretend as though they've fallen. Then when the store workers come over and help them, they get all dramatic and force themselves to have a hard time getting up.
That's just stupid. There is nothing funny about making someone who works at a store have to clean up that nasty mess. And then if someone happened to have mopped there recently or had something like a ladder or scaffold nearby and their boss finds out, then they're at risk of being fired because it appears as though they made a mistake that could have gotten the store sued. That isn't funny, that's just being an asshole and a vandal.
On the other hand, there's that new trend of "gallon smashing," where some stupid kids grab a couple of gallons of milk or juice at a supermarket, throw themselves and the jugs on the ground hard enough that they smash and spill everywhere, and pretend as though they've fallen. Then when the store workers come over and help them, they get all dramatic and force themselves to have a hard time getting up.
That's just stupid. There is nothing funny about making someone who works at a store have to clean up that nasty mess. And then if someone happened to have mopped there recently or had something like a ladder or scaffold nearby and their boss finds out, then they're at risk of being fired because it appears as though they made a mistake that could have gotten the store sued. That isn't funny, that's just being an asshole and a vandal.
- Mar 17, 2012
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I've never found jokes at the mentally handicapped funny, but that's just me
I mean, at least go after people who can fight back!
I mean, at least go after people who can fight back!
I'd say that this is an unfunny offshoot of a funny form of comedy; the prank. It's just that this prank is bad because it actually has a high chance of causing real problems for a person.Lilani said:
Yeah, but that's not to say pranks can't be done right. There is a channel on YouTube called JustForLaughsTV that has literally hundreds of pranks done on the public that are funny for all involved. Sometimes they are shocking or awkward at first, but at the end they always reveal themselves and the people are given the chance to laugh with them. Some of my favorites are the Little People Express Post, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1wGqtnnbLE] the transforming Japanese girls, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CN_HrkBlRs] and the bus driving grim reaper. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_wxUHRr4-Q] And, just because it's so damned clever, instant water. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjm5pOu_PEw]Froggy Slayer said:
I love pranks like that, and it would be a delight to be on either end of it. Those people at Punk'd or Jackass could learn a thing or two from them. You can be funny and clever without actually putting people in danger or causing them problems. The best kinds of pranks are the ones that can be enjoyed by everybody, because unless you're a total asshole or sociopath, there's going to be an element of guilt that stymies the fun.
I guess I sorta have mixed feelings about jokes involving autism or hell, any mentally handicapped person.
Seeing as how both my brother and I have autism, (with him being far more affected than I was) it sort of feels a bit personal. At the same time, though, I feel that most people who make those kinds of jokes don't really have any malicious intent towards mentally handicapped people, so I just try to shrug it off.
Seeing as how both my brother and I have autism, (with him being far more affected than I was) it sort of feels a bit personal. At the same time, though, I feel that most people who make those kinds of jokes don't really have any malicious intent towards mentally handicapped people, so I just try to shrug it off.
That transforming Japanese girls vid was probably one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. Thanks for that.Lilani said:
There are alot of things I absolutely don't find funny.
I'm aware there are also alot of people who likely feel that way about some things which I find hilarious.
To be perfectly honest though I like to watch alot of Stand Up comedy and I'm often surprised at how often I'm able to laugh out loud about sensitive subjects that I'd otherwise consider to be rather tasteless...
A good comedian truly can make anything funny I guess.
In the end as long a you're not hurting anyone you should feel free to laugh at whatever you want, just don't always expect everyone else to get the joke.
I'm aware there are also alot of people who likely feel that way about some things which I find hilarious.
To be perfectly honest though I like to watch alot of Stand Up comedy and I'm often surprised at how often I'm able to laugh out loud about sensitive subjects that I'd otherwise consider to be rather tasteless...
A good comedian truly can make anything funny I guess.
In the end as long a you're not hurting anyone you should feel free to laugh at whatever you want, just don't always expect everyone else to get the joke.
Cringe humor--the kind based on watching people humiliate themselves or be humiliated--does nothing for me. It makes me feel too bad for the people involved to see any humor.
I'm also not sure I've ever laughed at a rape joke. I feel like I have, but as I try to remember what that joke would have been, I can't conjure it to my mind.
I'm also not sure I've ever laughed at a rape joke. I feel like I have, but as I try to remember what that joke would have been, I can't conjure it to my mind.
I remember one! It's a lovely fake news story that The Onion did: http://www.theonion.com/video/missing-girl-probably-raped,14164/?ref=autoJimB said:
Though it may be helped by it being a commentary on the nature of sensationalist media as well. I agree on cringe humor, I don't think it crosses a line or anything like that, I've just never had "laughter" be a response to it. I always just feel awkward and sympathetic.
EVERYTHING can be, and often is, funny. There are certain subjects that should not be bought up around certain people though, as they wouldn't find it funny.
I.E: Making your mum jokes around someone who recently lost their mother. They might still find them funny in good humour, but you're better off playing it safe.
I.E: Making your mum jokes around someone who recently lost their mother. They might still find them funny in good humour, but you're better off playing it safe.
