That said, it doesn’t mean the man isn’t funny. There are a lot of comedians and they appeal to all different tastes. There is no one way to do comedy, all are good and right. Well at least right.
But the comments made were hardly kind. Some in Jay Leno’s audience thought them harsh or rude, and Mr. Leno is obviously insecure by their being made. But it was an honest attempt at humor. Not nice but an obvious attempt all the same. [he was commenting on the looks of the women.]
Does this deserve a protest? Is it as bad as Mr. Imus? I think not.
The difference is the obvious attempt at humor, the lack of intent to degrade, and the fact that they are figures in the publics mind. I find it like humor based on 9/11 or a flood or the Nazi’s. Sometimes it’s funny, and/or the time is right for people to accept the joke. Other times not. Even the greatest fall flat on some jokes, especially when it’s spontaneous. Mr. Hughley mostly fell flat on this. But that doesn’t deserve a protest.
This was not mean-spirited, Imus was. In fact that was the job of Mr. Imus. To be mean and disrespectful. That’s the context of the show, and he went too far one time too many. Mr. Hughley is a comedian, not a commentator. His role is to make people try to laugh at things they might not normally. It’s no different than the jokes Mr. Carlos Mencia makes about the disabled, mentally disadvantaged, religion and other items.
Mr. Hughley makes this same case in an interview on the 17th of this month. He was having a press conference about the pending protest of his comedy show, and the request by protester to have him make a national apology. He flatly refused. I agree with him.
In his commentary, which I can only provide a link for, http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=19110@ktvt.dayport.com, – sorry, he remarks that as a society we have regressed. I think that is apparent. The nation is so concerned about PC statements that virtually everything must be parsed in the most neutral, and often concept changing, terms. Every remark made by a public figure is combed over by the news media, bloggers, and the internet at large for any missteps or ill intent.
I admit that there are several figures I have been critical of. Mr. Michael Richards is one that comes to mind directly.
“I do not condone the actions of Mr. Michael Richards. I do not accept the excuse that Mr. Richards is inexperienced at stand-up comedy and had little practice dealing with hecklers…”
But to be critical of individuals that express direct hate is not the same as to denounce free speech. Whether or not I like what Don Imus, Michael Richards or others have said, they do have the right to say it. We cannot fall into the trap that is PC, that is to say that any comment made by a person that a few dislike should be responded to with the harshest response possible.
Continued in Part 3...
No comments:
Post a Comment