# Guilty pleasures: shows/entertainers you know are offensive but laugh at anyway **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120 "2004-05-26T03:30:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/1 "2004-05-26T03:30:34Z")
This may be more of an IMHO, but I’ll leave it to the mods. I’m posting here since it’s about entertainment. While I try not to analyze or justify my tastes in entertainment, occasionally an entertainer or show will be so low-brow or crass that I’m embarassed to admit I like it in the _World of Faces_. Two examples: [Larry the Cable Guy](http://www.larrythecableguy.com/)- his humor is almost solely whitetrash, he is offensive to gays, intellectuals, the retarded, women, Southerners, and almost every other group, and he cracks me up everytime I see him. He has the best euphemisms in the biz (even when they’re homophobic [e.g. “I’m happier than Jim Nabors in a wheelbarrow full of buttholes” or “madder than a homo with lockjaw on Valentine’s Day” or “Wanna hear my impression of Elton John? He’s queer… least that’s my impression”) and his stories of his relatives are just classic (“my sister actually got ‘Don’t Rush Me I Know What I’m Doin’ tattooed on the top of her head… that’s just ignernt… I tole her it’s trashy for a 15 year old to do somethin’ like that… I’m surpised they ain’t took her kids away for it”). I don’t like liking him, but I do (yet if Rush Limbaugh or Jerry Lewis said something even half as offensive towards gays I’d be furious). [Shirley Q. Liquor](http://shirleyqliquor.com/)- I know intellectually that a fat white gay guy in black face whose drag persona is the mother of 19 illegitimate children (all with [urban legend names)](http://minibytes.mondominishows.com/daddy/main.asp) is something I should find offensive as all hell, but while she’s hit & miss when she’s at her best (_Titanic_, _Olan Mills Lady_, _Twelve Days of Kwanzaa_, etc.) I can barely breathe for laughing. I **know** that Shirley is not in any way representative of black women, but I HAVE known real life Shirleys of several races (women who are at once completely unlearned and debauched but on some level wiser than any professor I’ve ever known). So who offends but entertains you? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/2 "2004-05-26T14:18:54Z")
Tori Amos’s religion-referencing songs ---
**Author:** ![Wartime\_Consigliori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@Wartime\_Consigliori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wartime_Consigliori)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/3 "2004-05-26T17:40:55Z")
God (and everyone else) forgive me, but Andrew “Dice” Clay usually makes me laugh my ass off. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/4 "2004-05-26T18:05:20Z")
I always enjoyed Sam Kinison. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/5 "2004-05-26T19:25:57Z")
For shows it’s _Tripping the Rift_ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/6 "2004-05-26T19:42:16Z")
My really guilty moment is in _Pulp Fiction,_ when Jules accidentally shoots Melvin in the face. When I first saw it, my date and I both just gasped, cracked up, then looked at each other in horror, then busted up laughing again. We were laughing at a graphic murder! :eek: But it was freaking hilarious! I, too, find _Larry the Cable Guy_ a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/7 "2004-05-26T22:12:08Z")
To second what **silenus** said about pulp fiction. There’s just something wierd and disturbing about the fact I can watch a tarentino movie and find it certain scenes, that should be disturbing(and are) funny. Like when Jules is threatening the guys who have the briefcase and he shoots the guy on the couch. “Oh, I’m sorry, Did I break your concentration?” Not to mention eating this guy’s burger and drinking his soda and scaring him half to death. I know in real life it wouldn’t be funny, but somehow here it’s quite amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/8 "2004-05-26T23:27:35Z")
The violence in QT’s movies were not unlike that found in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Melvin’s head = Daffy Duck’s bill ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/9 "2004-05-26T23:37:41Z")
Jimmie: “Now let me ask you a question, Jules. When you drove in here, did you notice a sign out in front that said, “Daffy Duck’s bill”?” Jules: “Jimmie…” Jimmie: “Answer the question! Did you see a sign out in front of my house that said “Daffy Duck’s bill”?” Jules: “Naw man, I didn’t.” Jimmie: “You know why you didn’t see that sign?” Jules: “Why?” Jimmie: “‘Cause storin’ Daffy Duck’s bill ain’t my f\*\*\*in’ business!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/10 "2004-05-27T00:36:56Z")
_Married with Children_. Nobody’s ever done proper misognyny since. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/11 "2004-05-27T01:00:45Z")
That’s easy! My guilty pleasure is _Chapelle’s Show_. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/12 "2004-05-27T01:04:16Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > That’s easy! My guilty pleasure is _Chapelle’s Show_. I’m going to see his stand-up show tonight at the Improv. I’ll let you know if he’s even more offensive live. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/13 "2004-05-27T01:05:04Z")
_Beavis and Butthead_. Of course, you’re more laughing AT them, than with them. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/14 "2004-05-27T01:05:44Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > That’s easy! My guilty pleasure is _Chapelle’s Show_. As you know, Dave likes to use the n-word a LOT. Somehow I think I shouldn’t laugh at these instances, but I can’t help myself. ---
**Author:** ![peculiar\_hailstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@peculiar\_hailstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peculiar_hailstone)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/15 "2004-05-27T01:20:59Z")
Quagmire on Family Guy wants to have sex with anything that moves, but you can’t help but laugh at his deperate attempts, however blatant and rude or objectifying they may be. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/16 "2004-05-27T01:37:34Z")
South Park always cracked me up. Especially Cartman’s Hitler impersonations. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/17 "2004-05-27T01:53:06Z")
Tenacious D. Super Troopers. South Park. Kevin Smith films. I’ll go from reading some big clunky book Victorian morals or something along those lines to laughing at dick-n-fart jokes. Eensy bit strange, but it seems standard for my friends and me. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/18 "2004-05-27T02:09:15Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > As you know, Dave likes to use the n-word a LOT. Somehow I think I shouldn’t laugh at these instances, but I can’t help myself. Nipples? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/19 "2004-05-27T03:04:47Z")
Eddie Murphy in his prime (e.g., _Delirious_) covered all the offensive bases. But damn, he was funny. An ongoing pet peeve: _Delirious_ not available in video. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120/20 "2004-05-27T04:45:12Z")
> [@lainaf](#): > > Eddie Murphy in his prime (e.g., _Delirious_) covered all the offensive bases. But damn, he was funny. > > An ongoing pet peeve: _Delirious_ not available in video. I have a dubbed VHS copy, and I love it. Much funnier than Raw, IMO. As for me, I love South Park, Chappelle’s Show, Family Guy, Super Troopers, Clerks and Mallrats, Jackass, Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, and Tenacious D, but I don’t consider any of those “guilty” pleasures. I feel no shame at all in enjoying them. I feel slightly more guilty about loving professional wrestling (although late-'90s WCW was far superior to the hit-or-miss WWE of today), and my immense interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the porn industry. What started as just having crushes on a few adult film starlets turned into a real fascination with the way the industry is run, the “politics,” and of course, the personalities. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guilty-pleasures-shows-entertainers-you-know-are-offensive-but-laugh-at-anyway/247120.md?page=2)