That gay Joke isn't funny anymore?

[Gromit]

Rowan Aikinson has accused ministers of filling their legislative programme with measures that have "serious implications for freedom of speech, humour and creative expression"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/11/08/ngay108.xml

"The casual ease which some people move from finding something offensive to wishing to declare it criminal - and are then able to find factions within government to aid their ambitions - is truly depressing."

What do you think? And before anyone says it, it is not political correctness gone mad.

[Pippa68]

It's a tough one isn't it?

It seems odd that you might have to be the 'right kind' of person to get away with the joke..but I also find it brilliant that you have to have the comedic talent to deliver the joke in the correct tone.

[Bewlay Bros]

If this "is not political correctness gone mad", I 'll like to know what is.

Absolute pathetic. The only people offended by jokes are left wing marxists with no sense of humour. Or muslims who are so insecure about their vicious faith they issue fattwas and riot a la the Danish cartoons.

I near enough proved in the Joke section that there is not a joke in the world that if taking literally, could offend somebody somewhere. So where do we draw the line.

There are more women in the UK than gaylords, so all blonde and women jokes will be banned.

Pathetic and further proof this once great country is being over run by evil, left wing Taliban loving, pro-criminal radicals and welshmen.

Weey pants.

[China Doll]

Pip & Splat - There is the other side of it in which I can get away with telling very un PC jokes because it is well known that I don't hold that opinion and I think that's also how some comics get away with it.

That said... I did once tell an incredibly tasteless joke regarding two paedophiles having a chat to a mates friends. What I didn't realise is they were all primary school teachers. One of my finest moments that.

[sp1814]

Bewlay Bros

I don't think it's a PC think...for instance, I know one Jewish joke which is hillarious:

Ruth and Janice meet for the first time in years. Ruth says "Oh my God...Janice...you look fantastic - your skin is glowing, your hair is shining and you look beautiful...what's your secret?"

Janice replied quietly, "Actually Ruth...I'm having an affair!"

"Really?", replies Ruth, "Who's doing the catering?"

Now, that joke was told to me by a Jewish mate, and he was surpised that I 'got it'.

I personally find it hilarious, but I think it may be because there's a load of subtext when someone tells a joke.

Jim Davidson and Matt Lucas could tell exactly the same gay joke, but because Jim Davidson is the spawn of the devil, I would react to it negatively.

[China Doll]

I maintain it's because you have a sense that he actually holds that opinon in which case it stops being a joke. Appearences suggest Matt Lucas wouldn't hold that opinon, therefore it's tongue in cheek and funny.

[sp1814]

CD

Yes, I see your point. If a Jewish person tell a Jewish joke, or a gay man tells a 'gay' joke - then there's an element of self-awareness.

However, if a non-Jew tells a Jewish joke and I don't know them well, I feel uncomfortable.

Anyway, a surprisingly large number of jokes aren't that funny.

[China Doll]

I know... have you looked in the joke secion on here recently?!

That said, I had a corker (in my opinion of course) in there last week, did you see it?

[Pippa68]

What about Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy et al doing black jokes? most find them amusing.

However Chris Rock isn't funny, IMO.

Where is your joke, CD?

[China Doll]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Say ings/Jokes/Question476765.html

Do not tell me off!

[sp1814]

Pryor was a bit of a genuis, and I loved Eddie Murphy's first DVD (Delirious), but I thought his second one was nastily mysoginistic.

That's what I mean about tone. He seemed to have become a woman-hater between the first and second DVD (possibly related to his divorce at the time).

[Pippa68]

Ooooooer!

Nice one..and even better considering that incredibly annoying Dervla Kirwan isn't telling it ;o)

[Bewlay Bros]

Am I the only one who does not get the above Jewish joke by SP??

[Pippa68]

Could be true, sp ~ is it in 'Delirious' where he takes the pee out of white people dancing? I love that skit...

[Skreecheeboy]

I got the joke but I've got no idea what the relevance to them being jewish is.

[4GS]

minter!
Instead of affair, read party

[Pippa68]

Jewish women are stereotypically into parties, shopping etc.

[Skreecheeboy]

Aren't all women into parties and shopping?

[Pippa68]

No...not as 'big' as Jewish women ~ they have a party for everything!

[Bewlay Bros]

I don't find the joke funny, let alone hilarious.

SP, you really want to hire some Jim Davidson DVD's.

"Nick Nick, ooooooooohhhhhhh Chalkey"