(warning: the videos here have nudity and swearing and stuff)
There’s been talk on the news about this new show called Race Relations. By some Melborune comedian whose name slips my mind. Today Tonight was talking about it being filthy and slanderous. Sunrise was talking about it pushing the boundaries of what we can and can’t show on TV. The “critics” were complaining it was a new low in shock comedy; others saying it was inventive and scientific in basis.
Do we even NEED to complain about this kind of shit anymore? “Comedy” shows pushing the boundaries, and the creative envelope? For god’s sake, Monty Python pushed all those things when they made Flying Circus and they revolutionized the comedic landscape. Hell, Life of Brian was just as sick and twisted as today’s “slanderous” comedies. Do we really need to complain about some Melbourne guy stealing women’s underwear (and jacking off to Obama) when this film is regarded as one of the comedic classics of the 20th century?
Well maybe the critics are right. Maybe racism is really, really bad. And it shouldn’t be done. And being racist in 2009 is really bad. They didn’t do it in 1999, did they? Of course not. We used to be better than that. All of us. Especially the cartoons.
Warning this video is actually very rude.
Okay, well, South Park is a bit of a crude example. It’s been around since 1995 and isn’t going anywhere. But Australian television. This is what we’re complaining about isn’t it. The Americans are allowed to be rude because they have lower standards. But Australia, we’re so against all those things that this new show is for. Crude slanderous racists. Australia doesn’t make fun of anyone. Oh right, except these guys.
I’ve always enjoyed being a neutral middleman in the Chaser’s debate. The only reason they offend so many people is because it’s their job. It’s the reason they’re called “chasers”. This "eulogy" song, which aired in 2007 and was subject to so many complaints (as you can probably tell), is probably the prime example of something really funny, really controversial for controversy’s sake, that was torn apart by the media. The way I see it, comedy is slipping very slowly backwards. The shows are pushing the envelope harder and harder and harder because they HAVE to. It’s their JOB. It’s what makes comedy as a genre stand out from the crowd. And society is getting wiser and wiser to this and, for some reason, won’t stand for it.
It’s not fair. It’s not fair to the comedians, it’s not fair to the people who enjoy this stuff, and it's fuel for the social commentary they provide. As long as people will be making funny shows, they will be making controversial funny shows, because for as long as I can remember the two stood hand in hand. To all the funny people of the world: push the boundaries. Push the envelope. And to the critics: put up with it, criticize it if you must because it’s your job. But if you can’t tolerate it, in 2009 for chrissakes, the there’s something wrong with you. Respect the genre, because in all fairness, it deserves it.
There’s been talk on the news about this new show called Race Relations. By some Melborune comedian whose name slips my mind. Today Tonight was talking about it being filthy and slanderous. Sunrise was talking about it pushing the boundaries of what we can and can’t show on TV. The “critics” were complaining it was a new low in shock comedy; others saying it was inventive and scientific in basis.
Do we even NEED to complain about this kind of shit anymore? “Comedy” shows pushing the boundaries, and the creative envelope? For god’s sake, Monty Python pushed all those things when they made Flying Circus and they revolutionized the comedic landscape. Hell, Life of Brian was just as sick and twisted as today’s “slanderous” comedies. Do we really need to complain about some Melbourne guy stealing women’s underwear (and jacking off to Obama) when this film is regarded as one of the comedic classics of the 20th century?
Well maybe the critics are right. Maybe racism is really, really bad. And it shouldn’t be done. And being racist in 2009 is really bad. They didn’t do it in 1999, did they? Of course not. We used to be better than that. All of us. Especially the cartoons.
Warning this video is actually very rude.
Okay, well, South Park is a bit of a crude example. It’s been around since 1995 and isn’t going anywhere. But Australian television. This is what we’re complaining about isn’t it. The Americans are allowed to be rude because they have lower standards. But Australia, we’re so against all those things that this new show is for. Crude slanderous racists. Australia doesn’t make fun of anyone. Oh right, except these guys.
I’ve always enjoyed being a neutral middleman in the Chaser’s debate. The only reason they offend so many people is because it’s their job. It’s the reason they’re called “chasers”. This "eulogy" song, which aired in 2007 and was subject to so many complaints (as you can probably tell), is probably the prime example of something really funny, really controversial for controversy’s sake, that was torn apart by the media. The way I see it, comedy is slipping very slowly backwards. The shows are pushing the envelope harder and harder and harder because they HAVE to. It’s their JOB. It’s what makes comedy as a genre stand out from the crowd. And society is getting wiser and wiser to this and, for some reason, won’t stand for it.
It’s not fair. It’s not fair to the comedians, it’s not fair to the people who enjoy this stuff, and it's fuel for the social commentary they provide. As long as people will be making funny shows, they will be making controversial funny shows, because for as long as I can remember the two stood hand in hand. To all the funny people of the world: push the boundaries. Push the envelope. And to the critics: put up with it, criticize it if you must because it’s your job. But if you can’t tolerate it, in 2009 for chrissakes, the there’s something wrong with you. Respect the genre, because in all fairness, it deserves it.
1 comment:
You make a good point about Australia, and just how bad Americans (as myself)have gotten, and Australia seems to be trying to completely avoid that, but in doing that, has also censored WAY to much that isn't say, slanderous, rude, corrupting, but just out of the ordinary. But this is, of course, from that point of an American.
Post a Comment