# Is lots of comedy off limits today because it is a "PC" era? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768 "2013-08-21T00:57:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/61 "2013-08-21T21:13:49Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > You think a couple of decades ago the prudes and offenderati weren’t complaining? Dude. Were you there? If so, have you forgotten? It takes a LOT more effort to write an actual letter and those things cost postage. And organizing a ‘group” required real effort. Try to find re-runs of Amos & Andy even tho in some ways the show was rather progressive. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/62 "2013-08-21T21:22:23Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Whatever happened, it is absolutely hilarious. Of course James Bond named his balls! Sing it from the heart Sing it to your nuts ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/63 "2013-08-21T21:26:56Z")
How is retelling the same jokes my grandfather laughed at “creative”? Isn’t it far MORE innovative to make humor that steps away from decades (or centuries!) old stereotypes about gay people and women and racial minorities? These are the laziest types of jokes. They aren’t creative, they are unimaginative and uninspired. If anything, audiences are holding writers to a higher standard these days, and demanding better, smarter comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/64 "2013-08-21T21:31:51Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > But if it were some tight-eyed “politically correct” era, we wouldn’t be talking about rape at all, much less showing it on television and then discussing the morality of it later. First, talking about rape has nothing to do with PC in any way. Second, rape has been talked about on television since [Edith was assaulted on All in the Family in 1977](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith%27s_50th_Birthday). ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/65 "2013-08-21T22:13:28Z")
Spend 5 minutes listening to a Doug Stanhope routine and you’ll know that PC isn’t as all-encompassing as you’d think. NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!! (Really not safe for anyone who’s easily offended.) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/TVvCe6xZvOk/hqdefault.jpg "Doug Stanhope - Jesus Never Made You Laugh") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVvCe6xZvOk) ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/66 "2013-08-21T23:47:42Z")
I really don’t think political correctness is limiting comedy when a liberal comedian can [base a set around his wife being hypothetically raped](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzV-bHM31SY). (Obviously both a trigger warning and NSFW.) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/67 "2013-08-21T23:51:25Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > How is retelling the same jokes my grandfather laughed at “creative”? It depends. If someone good is doing it, it can be a jumping off point to look at a prejudice or something in a new way. If not, it’s just “ooh, look, I said something naughty,” which isn’t very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/68 "2013-08-21T23:57:07Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It depends. If someone good is doing it, it can be a jumping off point to look at a prejudice or something in a new way. If not, it’s just “ooh, look, I said something naughty,” which isn’t very interesting. Well, if it’s a jumping off point then it probably isn’t the same jokes my grandad liked. My poibt is that racist humor is the opposite of creative. It’s lazy and boring and stale. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/69 "2013-08-22T00:55:26Z")
I just want to point out that George Carlin never changed his routine during all the increase in PC culture. He continued to be politically incorrect up to his final album in 2009. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/70 "2013-08-22T01:27:55Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > First, talking about rape has nothing to do with PC in any way. Second, rape has been talked about on television since [Edith was assaulted on All in the Family in 1977](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith%27s_50th_Birthday). I have no idea what we’re arguing about here so let’s just say you win. Go you! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/71 "2013-08-22T01:32:42Z")
I think some of you really dont understand how much frier things were. Human Centipede? Its kiddy stuff compared to Salo:120 Days of Sodom The combat in Cross of Iron was just as brutal as Saving Private Ryan…AND…was told from the German POV And then there was Pink Flamingos from the early 70s. Real gay (oral) sex; a Transvestite eating dog shit…a revival theater hit for years. FTR…Salo:120 Days of Sodom will be screening next week at the James Bridges Theater at UCLA for anyone with the stomach to handle it. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/72 "2013-08-22T04:27:22Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I just want to point out that George Carlin never changed his routine during all the increase in PC culture. He continued to be politically incorrect up to his final album in 2009. I’ve seen plenty of Carlin’s shows, and never once felt he was being politically incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Renifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Renifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renifer)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/73 "2013-08-22T04:43:14Z")
It all depends on context or, more specifically, the spirit of the joke. Racist and sexist jokes usually have the intent to demean or intimidate people of a different race or gender (though there’s a difference between racist/sexist joke and joke with race/sex content.) It also depends on the workplace: a joke about child abuse probably wouldn’t go over well if you’re employed by Child Protective Services. In general, be aware of what message you are sending when you tell the joke. Good example: quoting a well-known non-PC movie or TV show. Bad example: anything Todd Packer says on _The Office_. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/74 "2013-08-22T08:27:12Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > could you imagine a show in the 70s or 80s that literally glorified leading a life of crime and being a meth dealer > > i don’t think so tim I don’t think you understand _Breaking Bad_. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/75 "2013-08-22T12:39:09Z")
> [@JLRogers](#): > > I don’t think you understand _Breaking Bad_. That’s exactly how it would have been seen back then, though. Even today, people have a hard time shaking the idea that the protagonist, if he’s not completely horrible, must be being promoted as “the good guy.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/76 "2013-08-22T13:52:21Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > Well, if it’s a jumping off point then it probably isn’t the same jokes my grandad liked. > > My poibt is that racist humor is the opposite of creative. It’s lazy and boring and stale. Right, but the question is what’s actually racist? Some people say you’re a racist if you repeat a racist joke and don’t listen to the context. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/77 "2013-08-22T14:15:43Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > Well, if it’s a jumping off point then it probably isn’t the same jokes my grandad liked. > > My poibt is that racist humor is the opposite of creative. It’s lazy and boring and stale. I’m saying it depends on how you define racist humor. Some people are offended by the use of… well, offensive jokes regardless of their context. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/78 "2013-08-22T14:39:00Z")
I ma making a generalization that has exceptions but today snickering, elbow to the ribs shock value non PC humor is alive and well but frank looks at uncomfortable topics using humor (a la Archie Bunker for example) are rare. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/79 "2013-08-22T14:51:36Z")
Doesn’t _There’s Something About Mary_ refute pretty much this entire thread? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768/80 "2013-08-22T16:16:55Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > What stuff do you have in mind? [This Cheerios commercial would have made them lose their shit.](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kYofm5d5Xdw&feature=relmfu) But that’s a bit different than what we’re talking about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lots-of-comedy-off-limits-today-because-it-is-a-pc-era/666768.md?page=5)