Poll: Frankie Boyle challenged over Down's Syndrome joke

[Agayek]

But should somebody popular and infulential, like a comedian, be allowed to make jokes that could perpetuate a negative view of a certain group of people? Would you support a comedian making racist or anti-semetic jokes?

Ditto to this.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should - and Frankie Boyle really shouldn't have been ripping into folks with Downs syndrome like this. Still, it is only Frankie Boyle, a rather pathetic comedian who can't make people laugh with actual humour, so relies on being a beligerant, bullying asshole. Compare him to Michael McIntyre, who manages to bring the house down laughing every time without being nasty to anyone - not even politicians.

I am rather more concerned at the results of the poll and at the people defending Boyle in this thread.

Spoiler: to reduce room

Defend that as free speech. If not, explain the difference, other than the fact that people affected with Downs Syndrome are considerably less capable of defending themselves.

He can say it all he wants. I'm familiar with the man, and I'm well within my rights to say I think he's a hateful ignorant douche.
However, there's one major difference between this "preacher" and comedians that some find offensive, like Boyle. This guys serious. I have no problem with people saying anything for comedic value, and I'm not about to say Phelps should be fined or something for saying this. But the reason I don't hate Boyle is because he was joking.
I don't believe either should be punished, because I like free speech. However, you asked for the difference, there it is. One's joking, one's serious.

Right, so one is doing it because it is his earnest belief. The other is doing it because he thinks he can get a laugh out of ripping into people who are disabled. By this logic freedom of speech is only acceptable when you don't actually believe what you are saying, and you know that you are actually talking shit when you say it. And this makes it better?

Both are perfectly acceptable to state. It's their own opinion, and there's nothing forcing anyone to listen to it. I, personally, find Phelps to be offensively stupid. His continued existence is an insult to all rational human beings on the face of the planet and the world would be a better place if someone were to drive a steamroller over him.

But I will always defend his right to spew his garbage, regardless of my feelings on it or how many people don't like it.

If something offends you, stop exposing yourself to it. I find this video you linked offensive to my sensibilities and his expectation to be taken seriously is an insult to anyone with a brain. Therefore, I hit the pause button and never looked back.

In the case of the OP, the woman could have easily stood up and walked out of the theatre whenever she pleased. She didn't. It's no one's fault but her own for continuing to expose herself to it.

Hell, I would posit that she's a bit of an idiot for being offended at all. She went in knowing ahead of time that his entire schtick is to be as offensive as he can possibly manage. Getting offended by anything he says is just dumb.

 

[extent]

I find it slightly ironic with everybody saying frankie boyle should be allowed to say what he wants (freedom of speech), that one of the posts on here on the 9th of april has been suspended due to a comment of "so what-hes scottish".. lol. Obviously that woman in the media recently not too happy with frankies comments, wasnt happy because he mentioned a condition that either effected her or a family member. If you had a condition, eg cancer, and you heard some of his recent comments on the subject specifically, I dont think you would be too happy either. Frankie is at his best on that quiz show. As an lone stand up, many of his questionable subjects come out as half a***d drunken laddish 'jokes' anyone could make up in any bar.. thats how most of his fans can relate. Controversey can lead to alot of media attention, which is handy for anyone in the comedy business to succeed.. but a real comedian can make almost anyone laugh. Thats where Boyle really fails. We can now only wait to see how long he lasts on mainstream tv as a result.

 

[Regiment]

I don't think it should be illegal, per se, but it's certainly in bad taste and a bad idea. If a comedian wants to take cheap shots at people with disabilities, that's fine, but he should be ready to get attacked by every support group on the face of the Earth, and I'm not exactly going to defend him.

 

[Lullabye]

Depends on the context really.
If your making a joke just to insult and be a dick, then go fuck yourself.
If you're doing it to entertain and make people laugh, then good on ya.

 

[WeedWorm]

No one is immune to ridicule.

 

[Agema]

I think he has every right to make jokes about the disabled. However, I would request that the jokes are clever and reasonably tasteful. In this case, they were little more than cheap and witless playground taunts, and his embarrassment was just reward.

I kind of think what makes that sort of mocking joke suck is where the target has less power than the audience and the comedian. Making fun of the powerful is pretty much harmless and possibly even healthy. Making fun of the weak is too often just spitefully and pathetically picking on someone weaker.

 

[magnuslion]

But should somebody popular and infulential, like a comedian, be allowed to make jokes that could perpetuate a negative view of a certain group of people? Would you support a comedian making racist or anti-semetic jokes?

As a Jew, yes. I find things likes this amusing, even when directed at my own people, because I am able to separate myself from a joke. For those of you who cannot; It is not the job of the rest of the world to coddle you and make you feel good. Life sucks, get a helmet.

 

[That's Funny]

Yes he should be allowed to make a joke about disabilities, freedom of speech for the win!

 

[Buizel91]

But should somebody popular and infulential, like a comedian, be allowed to make jokes that could perpetuate a negative view of a certain group of people? Would you support a comedian making racist or anti-semetic jokes?

Ditto to this.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should - and Frankie Boyle really shouldn't have been ripping into folks with Downs syndrome like this. Still, it is only Frankie Boyle, a rather pathetic comedian who can't make people laugh with actual humour, so relies on being a beligerant, bullying asshole. Compare him to Michael McIntyre, who manages to bring the house down laughing every time without being nasty to anyone - not even politicians.

I am rather more concerned at the results of the poll and at the people defending Boyle in this thread.


Defend that as free speech. If not, explain the difference, other than the fact that people affected with Downs Syndrome are considerably less capable of defending themselves.

The Phelps family aren't joking...theirs your difference...seriously, sure his jokes are vulgar, but that's why people love him, because he isn't afraid of saying what he wants, Frankie Boyle jokes, and at heart is a very good man, the piece of shit in your video isn't joking about and is a sick man.

although i do see your point...

 

[Davey Woo]

Going to see a comedian like Frankie Boyle is always going to be a risk if you're sensitive about certain subjects. Whatever the joke is, someone will always find it funny, and someone else will always be offended. It's just the way it goes.

 

[Trivun]

He's a comedian, he made a joke. From what I recall he's made jokes about the government, about his own home (Scotland), about the BBC, about all sorts of stuff, and he's meant every single one as just that - a joke. If he really meant what he said then he, and most other comedians, would be among the most hated people in Britain.

So yes, I think that provided he means it as a joke (which I reckon he does), then he should be allowed to joke about anyone and anything. However, sometimes people go too far (Sachsgate, anyone?) and comedians end up going too far over the line. But I think in this case, Frankie was perfectly fine with what he said .

 

[Fortunefaded]

Why should disabled people be excluded from jokes, that is discrimination!

 

[Johnny Cain]

But should somebody popular and infulential, like a comedian, be allowed to make jokes that could perpetuate a negative view of a certain group of people? Would you support a comedian making racist or anti-semetic jokes?

I've seen dozens of comedians who DO make racist and anti-semetic jokes.


Frankie Boyle meeting controversy is old news, and this particular story is one of the lighter storms he's fallen under, compared to some of his other jokes in the past.

 

[Astra Dan]

No-one stands up for us gingers when we get the piss taken. Also no-one really complains.

It's part of life, EVERYONE will get the mickey taken, you WILL have to deal with it.

 

[Redweevil]

If it was any other comedian then yes I would see it as a bit horrible, but his humour is so extreme it's no surprise.

 

[FolkLikePanda]

Most jokes are at the expense of someone else, otherwise the world would be boring.