What are some things that are not okay to joke about?

[Amandistan]

Someone said that humor can be found in everything. well, I disagree. There are some serious matter that will never be funny. In fact I find it disturbing when people do find these things funny.

I think one thing that should never be used for the sake of a joke is the Holocaust and hitler.  It is never funny and I am disturbed to find that some actually find it funny. 

Another thing is racist jokes or sexist jokes. Jokes where a man tells a woman to get back in the kitchen really piss me off.

Another are mental health jokes.

Another is jokes that actually hurt someone's feelings. I get that sometimes you don't know but if you continue to joke at the expense of another's emotions then it's never okay.


I guess it's basically a major injustice and bigotry which i feel should not be a joke.

What do you think?

[Spudthemariner]

I think one thing that should never be used for the sake of a joke is the Holocaust and hitler.  It is never funny and I am disturbed to find that some actually find it funny. 

So satirical films and plays such as The Producers, The Great Dictator etc should be banned?

Hmm....

Personally I think that humor can be found in most situations, however, its not always appropriate to all audiences. I'm in the military, there is is stuff that 'we' find very very funny that some civilians would find very disturbing. Again, its all about the appropriate audience, (except blatant racism and sexism of course, which I think most quite rightly abhor).     

[BlackCountryMaggiD]

What do you find funny Amanda? What makes you laugh?

You should watch My Führer (German: Mein Führer – Die wirklich wahrste Wahrheit über Adolf Hitler)
The subject matter as you suggested is risque but it had me laughing out loud!

[Pol]

Seems like these days almost anything is fair game, times change with attitude look at some of the stuff that Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr can say and yes I'm gonna have the balls to admit some of is funny yes deeply sick and offence with it.

[Master Ray]

It's all about context.

For example... 'What's the difference between a loaf of bread and a Jew?  A loaf of bread doesn't scream when you put it in the oven!'

Disgusting, sick joke and I'd want to punch anyone who told it to me.  As anyone might want to punch me for telling it... sorry, making a point here.   

But humour has been found in the whole Nazi thing, from Charlie Chaplin onwards.  Likewise, any contentious issue you care to mention.  Race, sexism, violence, hatred, anything you care to mention.  It's about what the comedian does with it and the point they are trying to make.  You ever heard that Lenny Bruce sketch where he mentions the n-word over and over again... potentially horribly racist, but check it out, there's a point... I'll wait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfNhiRGQ-js

Still here?

My favourite comedian is Jim Jeffries, check his stuff out on Youtube.  His last live show mentioned gun / school murders, rape, racism and the Reeva Steenkamp murder.  Horrible subjects... but there was always a POINT to make at the end of it about how utter fucked up and ridiculous the human race are!  Offensive, possibly, but very clever and intelligent.

I think I can only offer you the BRASS EYE special from 2001, the one about paedophiles.  I can think of no subject less suited for comedy but, damn, it's so clever and, yes, very funny... (please, only click on this if you're not affected by these issues... it is rather hardcore comedy...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcU7FaEEzNU

Interesting thread.

[Bunny]

Well. I guess as some have already said its context. I dont beleive in banning comedy. In the same way I dont beleive in banning any art, unless its gonna get to children.

Interesting point Wessex made about that joke. However, if say a Jewish comedian told it, is still offensive?? Similarily Sasha Baron Cohen has mocked Jews and Judaism being Jewish.

Personally, I couldnt stand Bernard Manning but I wouldnt ban him.
I think its about knowing your audience. Or sticking to knock knock jokes because something is always offensive to someone. Sometimes dark humour is a coping mechanism.

[Amandistan]

If you makes jokes about the dictator, it's not as bad I guess. I think it's funny to make jokes about Putin with his shirt off because it looks egotistical and ridiculous. 

What do I find funny?
some things but i can't think of it now.

[Master Ray]

I didn't see a message from Wessex about that joke..?

Again, I was posting something awful to make a point...?

Am I somehow barred from some peoples messages?

[Bunny]

Sorry MR/ Wessexy. It was your joke MR. Dunno why I thought Wessexy. Its not like I think of her all the time









  mwahahaaaaaaaaa.....point still stands though.

[Master Ray]

No worries, mate... Master Ray / Wessexy?  Almost identical!

 

Agree with your point.  Mr Cohen, in his comedy, has done potentially shocking stuff about the Jewish people despite being Jewish himself... and it's very funny.

[Bunny]

Similarily black people making stereotypical black jokes. Funny. But if a non- black person said them it would be racist. Im not sure I think thats fair but hey ho. What do I know?

[Master Ray]

I do like this sketch, about how white folks can get awkward around black folks...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLJc92S5J0A&index=1&list=PL5A4nPQbUF8AiZ5GmDLN8v-mtA1suBN8n


 

[Wessexy Witch]

Sorry MR/ Wessexy. It was your joke MR. Dunno why I thought Wessexy. Its not like I think of her all the time







  mwahahaaaaaaaaa.....point still stands though.

Stop blaming me for shite going down on here !

 
No pervy thoughts neither !
 

[Bunny]

Bugger all point me ever posting again ha ha

[Shush]

I think some jokes can cause offence and re-enforce stereotypes. I remember back in the 80's most jokes seemed to be about the Irish being unintelligent. In the States at the time the Poles were the target of the same, I am told on the continent the Belgians were the target.  I grew up believing the Irish were that way after hearing so many jokes in person and on the Telly saying so. Thankfully this genre of comedy no longer seems to be around.
No more "Paddy and Murphy" jokes  !!