The Daily OrangeJokes should stand alone without the offensive commentary
By Stacie Foster
Posted: 3/30/09, 1:33 AM EST Section: Feature
Funny things tend to make people happy. A good laugh is one of the best ways to get rid of stress, even if it's just for a few seconds. But how far should we go to get a laugh?
Just last week, beloved President Barack Obama compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Obama called the organization the next day and apologized, but he'll never be able to take back his words.
Offensive humor such as Obama's has become the norm in our culture. Words like "faggot" and "retard" don't refer to homosexuals or persons with disabilities, but they are derogatory terms thrown around to degrade average people.
Movies, television and even music have all begun capitalizing on this derogatory humor.
"Family Guy" is infamous for its dehumanization of gays, blacks and women in general. In season one, the show's main character, Peter, made a distasteful reference to the Holocaust.
"Family Guy's" Stewie, a toddler in the Griffin household, speaks in the same offensive way that the rest of the cast does, despite his young age. This is reminiscent of "South Park," one of the most popular shows on television, and also one of the most offensive.
"South Park" is quoted all the time. Eric Cartman is referred to more as "fat-ass" than "Cartman." "Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo" is infamous for his Christmastime do-gooding, and Kyle will never forget that he's Jewish because his friends make fun of him for it everyday.
In 1999, "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut," was released in theaters. Hollywood.com reports that "South Park's target audience, the one that's too young for its R-rating, will probably get into the film." They also suggested that, had the movie been under an independent label instead of the monstrous force of Paramount, the film would have been hit with a much harsher NC-17 rating.
Interestingly enough, Disney, the pinnacle of good and age-appropriate entertainment, has been pegged for integrating dry sexual humor into its animated movies, such as "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid" and "The Rescuers."
Just last week, beloved President Barack Obama compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Obama called the organization the next day and apologized, but he'll never be able to take back his words.
Offensive humor such as Obama's has become the norm in our culture. Words like "faggot" and "retard" don't refer to homosexuals or persons with disabilities, but they are derogatory terms thrown around to degrade average people.
Movies, television and even music have all begun capitalizing on this derogatory humor.
"Family Guy" is infamous for its dehumanization of gays, blacks and women in general. In season one, the show's main character, Peter, made a distasteful reference to the Holocaust.
"Family Guy's" Stewie, a toddler in the Griffin household, speaks in the same offensive way that the rest of the cast does, despite his young age. This is reminiscent of "South Park," one of the most popular shows on television, and also one of the most offensive.
"South Park" is quoted all the time. Eric Cartman is referred to more as "fat-ass" than "Cartman." "Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo" is infamous for his Christmastime do-gooding, and Kyle will never forget that he's Jewish because his friends make fun of him for it everyday.
In 1999, "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut," was released in theaters. Hollywood.com reports that "South Park's target audience, the one that's too young for its R-rating, will probably get into the film." They also suggested that, had the movie been under an independent label instead of the monstrous force of Paramount, the film would have been hit with a much harsher NC-17 rating.
Interestingly enough, Disney, the pinnacle of good and age-appropriate entertainment, has been pegged for integrating dry sexual humor into its animated movies, such as "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid" and "The Rescuers."
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 8
Jim
posted 3/30/09 @ 5:55 PM EST
If you can't laugh then do not watch it. If any of these offends you don't watch it. The thing is no matter what people say or do someone out there either will be offended or disagree with these shows/comics. (Continued…)
Elizabeth Metcalf
posted 3/30/09 @ 11:50 PM EST
While the point of this feature is well-intentioned, timely and important, I want to call attention to the ableism and homophobia implied, seemingly by the erasure from the collective of 'average people. (Continued…)
Ghoochie
George Patsourakos
posted 3/31/09 @ 5:59 PM EST
The Syracuse University writer is correct in saying that jokes should stand alone without offensive commentary. The fact that movies, television, and even music have been emphasizing derogatory humor lately is unfortunate. (Continued…)
Lenny
posted 4/01/09 @ 8:46 AM EST
If you're afraid of offending people, then you're clearly considering a wrong major. One can't get far in business being a nice person--everyone would ride his back. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 4/01/09 @ 9:32 AM EST
"What's the point of that? It's not even funny."
This is where you have comedy all wrong, or for that matter any and all written or spoken word. It is merely my opinion, but your article was a pile of shit. (Continued…)
Chip
posted 4/01/09 @ 2:32 PM EST
Stacie,
You say... "Offensive humor such as Obama's has become the norm in our culture." Wrong, the norm in our culture is...
1) For a major 'racial' case to be made about any comment not agreed with. (Continued…)
mary
posted 4/08/09 @ 11:16 PM EST
you shouldn't have to have a family member with special needs to understand how hurtful the Obama comment about Special Olympics was. I supported Obama but I feel that people aren't willing to really try and understand how people with special needs feel. (Continued…)
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