I really wish this was available as an e-book.
In the link in the OP? That’s not what he said…
There is a world of difference between making a joke with sexist, racist, misogynistic content and actually *being *any of those things. Comedians can be every bit as much a character on stage as any other actor.
In practical terms, what’s the difference between disliking a comedian and disliking the character he plays?
Am I the only one who cannot see the link in the OP? It says “this video is private” when i select it.
When I try to watch the video, I get a message, “‘Jimmy Carr Live Laughing a…’ This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Chambers Management.”
Looks like copyright issue… it was kinda new upload so I guess it was just a matter of time before it’s removed.
You’ve answered your own question haven’t you? The person onstage is not necessarily the person offstage.
The comedic character is saying things that they don’t necessarily believe, perhaps to shock, provoke or make uncomfortable. Perhaps it is ironic.
Offstage the comedian in question might be very different.
Can you really not see a difference between what someone says and what they actually believe or what they are really like?
The reverse is true of course, someone can be the most genial and gentle of clowns and yet offstage be an utter shit.
I love him, he’s hilarious. Carr will take as good as he gets. I have some of his Albums and when the audience gives it back to him he never takes it personally, justlaughs and goes along wit it.
But since I don’t know the person offstage, his actual personality is irrelevant.
He’s a moving image on TV - his real nature does not exist as far as I’m concerned. If I don’t like watching him, then I don’t care if that’s the real him or if it’s a character, because the end result is the same. All I care is whether I like what I’m looking at.
I think a lot of what Carr does is poke fun at racists/sexists/otherists by deadpanning things that they say and demonstrating how mockable it is. Do you watch the Colbert Report? Colbert skewers right-wing talk show hosts by going over top of them in a dry, deadpan way. I guess if that kind of satire doesn’t work for you, then so be it, but it’s one of my favorite forms of comedy.
Where are you getting this from?
Does Jimmy mean it when he calls a random audience member* a dumb cunt or a slag? I should hope not. Is there hate in his heart? I guess not.
Does it give the impression that doing so is a) entertaining and b) appropriate when you’re trying to be funny? To a certain percentage of the audience, I’d say yes.
And I’ve got issues with that.
*Not a heckler. Yes, he does.
But yeah, Jimmy can be brilliant. Like right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UqGha0rCiM
It’s offensive as all fuck, but it doesn’t rely on tired cliches and ancient stereotypes.
Actually, I was speaking in general about celebrity personas and our impression of them. I like Jimmy Carr. I’ve only seen him on QI, but he’s had some good lines there - although he does have the tendency to go for the easy joke from time to time.
Fair enough, we all like what we like and dislike what we dislike. For what its worth, insult comedy is a genre that stretches back to the 30’s with Jack E Leonard and further popularized with Don Rickles, and has certainly has its detractors as long as its been around.
I’m only familiar with Carr from his Comedy Central Presents half-hour and the Distraction game show, both of which I loved. While his material can go to dark places, it can also go to really smart places — and those are the moments that really made me a fan.
Edited to add: you should stay away from Anthony Jeselnik.
That’s fine, If you can make that distinction and deal with them seperately then no problem.
The problem would be if you, or I, just assumed that his on-stage persona was a reflection of the off-stage man (for better or worse).
i.e. there is a difference between saying " I hate Jimmy Carr’s comedy" and “I hate Jimmy Carr”
Here’s a recent interview with Jimmy Carr in which he explains offensiveness of his jokes and context - - YouTube
Overall, pretty good interview – very interesting point about people getting outraged on behalf of someone else.
He’s into short jokes, with as least number of words as possible. Example: “dwarfs shortage” 
You missed out “Mr Blobby miming having sex with a Teletubby” which was one of the finest moments of British television ever.
I acknowledge Carr’s skill as a comedian and his willingness to take anything thrown at him but I have a limited tolerance for insult humor as well so I doubt I’d watch one of his stand-up shows. IMO he’s better in smaller doses or with other comedians (on 8 out of 10 Cats or 10 O’Clock Live) than on his own.
Brilliant. I bet there wasn’t a single complaint to the BBC either.
Given that it was on Channel 4, I suspect not.