Sunday, March 15, 2015

Who Do We Listen To? I Wish It Was Comedians.

We know what is right and wrong, we just do. In the modern world the line has been blurred so we are gentle to everyone that could be slightly offended or, more often, take weird offence on behalf of a third party. Take Sean Penn's zinger at the Ocars. One, the guys knew each other. Two, the guy the joke was directed at validated it by assuring it was within the nature of their relationship and three it was within the good-natured spectrum of ribbing that happens when rich and famous people party together.
But shit went crazy. Twitter has given everyone a voice, which isn't a bad thing. Except that, as I have always believed, most people are narrow-minded and kind of stupid. They want to be seen as being outraged because it means they aren't racist They are picking a fight where there is none.
It got me thinking. I don't claim this sort of bullshit outrage comes from anything but ego, over compensation and safe-gaurding against being harshly looked on. But if it came from a stern basis, what would that basis be? It certainly isn't comedians, though it probably should be.
The truth is so far removed from our day-to-day that it is now funny. It is kind of responsible for Bill Mahers career, likewise Bill Burr, Louis CK and John Oliver. Comedians are sought out for their laughs as much as their views.
This isn't new.
Part, let's say a huge part, of what made Lenny Bruce a name guy was the fact that he spoke truths. For the time they were very radical truths. They were framed as funny, and they were, but his name lives now for speaking the real truth in the first incarnation of the age of political correctness. It was the first real time anyone gave a shit, and going against that was a game changing move. It was less funny than it was true, and that tradition has continued.
Being a comedian is something of a natural cover. Any views expressed can always be covered by an attempt to be funny. This allows comedy to be nearly the only form of proper free speech left. I say nearly because clearly, in recent times, it is not that good a cover.
I am not talking about Kramer going super 1930's on everyone, he was having a bad day. That was an outburst and nothing more profound or purposeful. I guess I am saying, obviously that was shitty. But it also opened the door on everything ever said on-stage being scrutinised as being similarly shitty. No doubt there are things that are said on-stage that might offend some groups, but with big name comedians (who seem to be the only ones garnering criticism) you have some idea of what you are in for.
And if you don't, leave and ask for a refund. Vote with your wallet, feet but not with your mouth. What is close-minded and bigoted to you, is the height of humour to someone else. You do not have to enjoy it, approve of it or support it with your hard-earned buck. What you do have to do, in my opinion, is respect the right of those who do to do so. I know it is also free speech to criticise something, but routinely whipping shit into a frenzy to pacify some self-righteousness or thin-skin is surely pushing that point. I do believe it is also chipping at the foundations of autonomy that comedians, and basically everyone else, should be enjoying.
Take for example, this bit. Bill Burr has been called a sexist, but he is a realist. Like so many comics who cop charges of intolerance, he is simply speaking the truth or his truth. Which is multi-faceted and obviously a lot of the time not comfortable.


Bill Burr, a happily married man.


NP

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