Comedian Jeff Ross -- dressed as Joe Paterno, above -- has been accused of going too far for this joke during the Comedy Central roast of Roseanne Barr:
"Seth, congratulations," Ross said, addressing actor Seth Green. "This is actually a great night for you. You haven't gotten this much attention since you shot all those people in Aurora." He continued: "I'm kidding. You are not like James Holmes. At least he did something in a movie theater that people remember!"The joke was edited from the television broadcast, but personally, I think it's hilarious. Perhaps not surprising considering I'm the guy who got chastised by my own friends on Facebook for posting this Onion photo on my wall. (My caption was "I think Roebuck was behind this.") I happen to think laughter is the best medicine for tragic situations, but I get that others feel differently. But let's just remember to respect each other's point of view on this, because unlike Mr. Chick-fil-A, whose "free speech" includes donating millions to take away the rights of others, people who find dark humor funny really are just exercising their First Amendment rights, even if it offends you.
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2 comments:
My mom also followed the "nothing sacred in humor" philosophy and joked about everything right up to her death from cancer. I'm split about this. I can see the humor, even when comics "go too far", but I also can tell some people get offended. So I guess it comes down to do I want to offend people or make them happy with humor?
Comedy, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am completely opposed to censorship and think that being able to laugh at a situation is completely spearate from being horrified at the events that took place in my hometown. I thought it was funny, but I am not someone who is offended easily. I thought the Sears picture/comment was funny too.
BGTW - I am trying to do a better job commenting on your posts. As a new New Yorker, I rely on your blog to keep me in the know.
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