Comedians running scared over perceived shift to "political correctness"

[Tennis]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/comedian...ness-1.3691079

When the Quebec Human Rights Commission ordered comedian Mike Ward to pay $35,000 to Jérémy Gabriel for making fun of the former child star with a disability, the reactions were fierce and polarized.

Many felt that making fun of a sick child is crossing the line, even for the guy who is headlining the contingent of the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal called The Nasty Show. Yet others felt that the fine was Draconian, and a dangerous precedent.

"I'm worried that we're trying to victimize everyone and trying to frame the freedom of speech," said Gilbert Rozon, the founder of Just For Laughs, in an interview with CBC News in Montreal. "Taste is a very personal thing."

Social media scrutiny

Finding the balance between comedy that pushes the envelope and a routine that doesn't offend anyone has been a precarious task for decades.

But many comedians today say that social media has put them under an unprecedented amount of scrutiny. Whereas a comedian's ill-advised or offensive joke would once elicit boos or, at worst, a few cancelled gigs, it now ends up on social media, where it's seen by millions.

Evan Carter, a Toronto comic who's been performing stand-up since the early 1980s, agrees comics today have it harder than when he started in the business.

"There's something that they don't like and they've picked out two minutes of a one-hour show completely out of context, and the next thing you know — boom! — it's on Twitter, it's on Instagram, it's on Facebook, and before you get off stage, you're hated."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/comedian...ness-1.3691079

How do you feel about this debate?
Is political correctness more important than ensuring we live in a decent, caring society?

[Tradewind]

Next on the list of Tennisace's loaded questions. "Do you still beat your wife?"

[Tennis]

Next on the list of Tennisace's loaded questions. "Do you still beat your wife?"

What do you suppose the Quebec Human Rights Commission is there to do exactly? What is its function?

[Sky High]

Next on the list of Tennisace's loaded questions. "Do you still beat your wife?"

"have you stopped kicking the neighbor's dog?"

[Moon-Man]

Daily Reminder, Left-wing people (PC) has no humor sense. They will take anything that slightly offends them, and make a big deal from nothing.

Truly, the Retarded Group of Mankind. Can't take a fucking joke without being triggered. What the fuck is this shit?



Infracted for flaming. Don't refer to people as "retarded".

[Tradewind]

What do you suppose the Quebec Human Rights Commission is there to do exactly? What is its function?

Foist asinine rules, lugged over from France 300 years ago, on people who have the misfortune of telling off-colour jokes within the province apparently.

[Belize]

Well, do you?

You don't?

[Vanyali]

You don't?

I told you to stop hitting me already!

[Phookah]

No ones running scared and comedians don't care, at least the good ones.

[Tadkins]

Making fun of disabled people is a bit messed up, though.

[Belize]

I told you to stop hitting me already!

I've told you before, it builds character. Of course, as a women, you don't listen...

[xskarma]

Let's discuss the article in question, not the person posting it.

[Vanyali]

I've told you before, it builds character. Of course, as a women, you don't listen...

w o w.

I just.. i cannot believe this. I'm asking for a divorce tomorrow!

[derpkitteh]

i think freedom of speech is always, and should always, be more important than the feelings of others. it should be within anyone's rights to get up and spout the most racist, sexist, or whateverist jokes they want and there shouldn't be a damn thing anyone can do to stop you.

[Belize]

w o w.

I just.. i cannot believe this. I'm asking for a divorce tomorrow!

Don't make me get the bat.

[Vanyali]

i think freedom of speech is always, and should always, be more important than the feelings of others. it should be within anyone's rights to get up and spout the most racist, sexist, or whateverist jokes they want and there shouldn't be a damn thing anyone can do to stop you.

That's actually not even related to what freedom of speech is.

- - - Updated - - -

Don't make me get the bat.

not the one with nails in it!

[Belize]

not the one with nails in it!

Mmhmm. Better watch it.

[May90]

So, they want to have freedom to say whatever they want, but they dislike freedom of people to criticize what they say? That's funny.

[Antipathy1018]

So, they want to have freedom to say whatever they want, but they dislike freedom of people to criticize what they say? That's funny.

I think you might be missing the point. They are not saying people are not allowed to criticize what the comic says, but that having a government office start to impose fines on people b/c someone got their feelings hurt crosses a line.

[Tradewind]

So, they want to have freedom to say whatever they want, but they dislike freedom of people to criticize what they say? That's funny.

Nothing to do with simply "criticism," but getting fined and legal action taken against you for a joke is fuckin' bullshit.