Is Frankie Boyle the new Bernard Manning?

[sp1814]

Is there now a strong case for getting Frankie Boyle off the telly in the same way that broadcasters turned their backs on Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson?

http://www.dailymail....nd-The-Buzzcocks.html

Or does his 'bleeding edge' style of comedy push the boundaries in a way that actually advances comedy?

[ummmm]

I didn't find the joke about Jordan and Harvey funny either.

I can't really put up a good argument on the subject but why should the majority not be able to watch him because a minority find him offensive.

If it worked like that EastEnders would be pulled because of the amount of complaints they've received.

[andy-hughes]

It's about form and content.

As I have opined on another thread, soaps are dramas, and often take a moral stand when working with social issues - wrongdoers rarely escape punishment for instance. In this 'cot death' scenario - I have to admit I don't watch EE so my opinion is based on what I have read - the furore appears to have been caused not by the cot death storyline, but by the ongoing reaction, which some people feel infers that cot death mothers become deranged baby-snatchers - hence the complaints to the BBC.

I do feel that these issues are not comparable simply because they have caused complaints and media attention.

My argument against Frankie Boyle is that he is producing socially unacceptable material using personal attacks on balemess individuals, under the cover of 'edgy comedy', whereas in fact it is neither edgy or comic - simply unacceptable.

[LoftyLottie]

I can't see anything funny at all in Frankie Boyle. Yes he is offensive, but to me that is not the point. As far as I am concerned there is absolutely nothing funny about anything he does or says. He is totally and utterly boring.

I don't like Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson, but admit that there is an element of humour is some of their stuff. There were a lot of comediens about like them before pc took hold.

[sp1814]

andy-hughes/ludwig

Your points echo exactly what I feel. Whilst I don't have strong feelings either way on FB (never seen any of his shows), I agree that the "if you don't like him just switch over" argument is flawed, because we as a society should dictate the bounds if what is acceptable.

Also, I agree that much of Chris Morris' work is truly 'bleeding edge', and as for pushing boundaries, Armando Iannucci (forgive spelling) is more of a comedy pioneer.

And finally - Frankie will never steal Joan Rivers' crown for shocking humour. She still makes my jaw drop, and she's in her 70s!!

[andy-hughes]

An excellent post sp1814 - and not just because you agree with me!

Mr Boyle does indeed have some way to go to match the peerless Ms. Rivers - but again, automatic wholesale distribution of any art form is not a desireable concept in a modern free society.

[mrs_overall]

I like Frankie.
I'm convinced he is the missing triplet from the Proclaimers

[cazzz1975]

I dont watch him, sadly though because of his need to shock he is always in the news so non viewers cannot really avoid his comments. Im hoping he will disappear into obscurity in the years to come.

[snags]

Regardless of your comedic tastes, you've got to be impressed by a man who can grow a beard of that quality:

http://3.bp.blogspot....e-in-Tramadol-006.jpg

[andy-hughes]

If beauty is skin deep, then FB is inside out!

I'm sure he won't be offended ...

[ummmm]

Lol...I'm sure he wouldn't be. He also compared himself to The Proclaimers :-)

[jno]

oi, watch the edgy comments, andy...

[NazNomad]

"Or does his 'bleeding edge' style of comedy push the boundaries in a way that actually advances comedy?"

I think to advance comedy it would have to be comedic (almost by default), so no.

[Booldawg]

SP; 'because we as a society should dictate the bounds if what is acceptable.'

But that would be purely based on personal opinions and one size would never fit all. Surely switching over would be the better option, woudlnt everyone be happy that way?

[ummmm]

Apparently not....lol

[China Doll]

I find him funny. Not tramadol nights particularly but I thought he was very funny on buzzcocks and I enjoyed him very much on mock the week and think it's not as funny without him. Humour is subjective and a lot of what he's said is taken out of content, the baby p comment for example.

[Sooper]

Well i like Frankie Boyle, not his sketch show series that just doesnt really work for me but his stand-up shows are very funny in my opinion and make me laugh. Perhaps i shouldnt laugh at his very un-pc, below the belt material but i cant help it, even though perhaps i should not. Maybe im a bad person?!!

[snags]

''Maybe im a bad person?!!''

Undoubtedly. You will go to hell and have to listen to Michael McIntyre 24/7 for your sins...

[Sooper]

The price i will have to pay for being a sinner i guess :( !!

[ummmm]

Ditto China...when I heard the apparent Baby P joke I just sat there thinking 'is that it? Is that why everyone is so outraged' It wasn't even a joke...

[andy-hughes]

Booldawg - I refer you back to my posts thoguhout the thread ...

Sooper - you are entirely free to be amused by anything you see and hear, that's not the issue I have raised.

My point is not about the humour - or absence of it - from FB's output, it is the suitability of it being offered for mass mainstream consumption, and its use of verbal attacks on an innocent individual and her child to obtain an outraged reaction, and then simply pass it off with a cheesy grin inferring that lack of a sense of humour and sophistication in those who think it is fundamentally wrong to behave in this way on national television.