# SNL 5/16 - Louis CK's monologue - whoa **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236 "2015-05-17T13:57:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/61 "2015-05-18T02:28:15Z")
Norm Macdonald had a funny bit on battling cancer. His uncle’s battle consisted mostly of lying in bed watching Matlock reruns. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/62 "2015-05-18T02:29:36Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Ok, look, of all the topics I’ve objected too in SDMB, this is probably one of the most benign. But I still think there is a line to cross of what goes too far in joking about unfortunate situations. All I’m saying is that I can understand that you objected to his jokes, but you sort of set up a strawman with the chemo thing. I was suggesting that there’s probably comedians and routines you like that offend certain groups, Louis CK is a comedian I like that offended other groups. I’m just refuting the hypothetical/logical extreme that had nothing to do with this conversation. We weren’t talking about poking fun at dying chemo patients and their inability to not soil themselves, we were talking about Louis’ SNL monologue. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/63 "2015-05-18T02:35:19Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > All I’m saying is that I can understand that you objected to his jokes, but you sort of set up a strawman with the chemo thing. I was suggesting that there’s probably comedians and routines you like that offend certain groups, Louis CK is a comedian I like that offended other groups. > I’m just refuting the hypothetical/logical extreme that had nothing to do with this conversation. We weren’t talking about poking fun at dying chemo patients and their inability to not soil themselves, we were talking about Louis’ SNL monologue. “well people are going to be offended” is a pretty weak defense. It lumps all tings that are offensive under the same standard, not matter how offensive or inappropriate they actually are. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/64 "2015-05-18T02:41:54Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > “well people are going to be offended” is a pretty weak defense. It lumps all tings that are offensive under the same standard, not matter how offensive or inappropriate they actually are. I agree with that. But your line in the sand is a comedian bringing up the subject at all. Equally ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/65 "2015-05-18T02:44:37Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I agree with that. But your line in the sand is a comedian bringing up the subject at all. Equally ridiculous. Well, lots of people have been victims of child molestation so I really don’t think that making it a taboo topic for comedy is that far out of line. If by some weird set of dynamics you could make sure there was no none in the audience that had been affected then go ahead. But the truth is MANY people have been affected. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/66 "2015-05-18T02:50:34Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > ok, so, you would find it funny if i made jokes about a chemotherapy patient wasting away and using the bathroom in their own pants? whats funny about that? i’m childish because i wouldnt find that funny? You’re right, that isn’t one bit funny. At least not the way you told it. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/67 "2015-05-18T02:51:48Z")
Well I thought it was pretty hilarious, especially for a network tv standup. Glad he doesn’t share your sensibilities. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/68 "2015-05-18T02:51:53Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > You’re right, that isn’t one bit funny. > At least not the way you told it. yeah but doug stanhope could make it funny. well not to me. but he could get some people to laugh about it. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/69 "2015-05-18T02:53:15Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well I thought it was pretty hilarious, especially for a network tv standup. Glad he doesn’t share your sensibilities. lets get to the bottom line. what would you say to a person who had actually been a victim of child molestation and found jokes on that topic offensive? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/70 "2015-05-18T02:54:52Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > lets get to the bottom line. what would you say to a person who had actually been a victim of child molestation and found jokes on that topic offensive? I would say that he wasn’t ridiculing victims and if it offends you don’t watch it. What would you say to them? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/71 "2015-05-18T02:58:33Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Well, lots of people have been victims of child molestation so I really don’t think that making it a taboo topic for comedy is that far out of line. If by some weird set of dynamics you could make sure there was no none in the audience that had been affected then go ahead. But the truth is MANY people have been affected. And more people have been affected by racism, no more Eddie or Chris specials. And Lisa Lampanelli, well, she’s an equal opportunity offender, she probably shouldn’t even be allowed on a stage. Sarah Silverman gets into religion, we should probably ban her too. Lewis Black, well, if you feel strongly about politics (in general) he’s probably pissed you off at one point or another (this goes, partially, for Jon Stewart as well) Doug Stanhope has a whole bit about ‘fucking a midget’. We can keep going. Many major comedians offend large swaths of people by taking jabs at certain groups. What do you suggest we do. What about music? Should we ban Marilyn Manson? What about CSNY? BTW, how do you feel about freedom of expression? ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/72 "2015-05-18T02:58:52Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I would say that he wasn’t ridiculing victims and if it offends you don’t watch it. So basically you would minimize and trivialize their suffering and defend the person making inappropriate jokes. > [@](#): > > What would you say to them? IDK what I would say but “change the channel” would not be my comment … I think we are done discussing this ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/73 "2015-05-18T03:00:43Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > BTW, how do you feel about freedom of expression? Perhaps you can understand their is a difference between saying a person shouldn’t say something and saying they should be legally prevented from doing so. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/74 "2015-05-18T03:01:01Z")
> [@](#): > > … I think we are done discussing this . Yeah. I can only bring the horse to water. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/75 "2015-05-18T03:03:26Z")
I agree that the monolog was great. I also think that the fact that it seems edgy says something about how bland, vaccous and irrelevant SNL has been for a long time. Also, if someone were to think that those jokes were about finding racism or child molestation funny, there is no point in trying to explain it to them. They are humorless and will never get it. What I would hope would happen is that people stop paying attention to the humorless when crafting comedy shows. If George Carlin were to discover that one of the humorless were a big fan of his, I can predict between one and seven words he would say. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/76 "2015-05-18T03:03:49Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > . > > Yeah. I can only bring the horse to water. even a horse has enough sense not to drink rancid water ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/77 "2015-05-18T03:10:15Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > even a horse has enough sense not to drink rancid water That’s probably how we discovered alcoholic beverages. Humans are more edgy than horses. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/78 "2015-05-18T03:12:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > That’s probably how we discovered alcoholic beverages. Humans are more edgy than horses. perhaps 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/79 "2015-05-18T03:13:50Z")
I thought Mr CK raised an interesting point regarding the motivations of child molesters and treated it in a mildly amusing manner. “Mildly amusing” only because I don’t find his work more than mildly amusing, but it was an interesting point. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236/80 "2015-05-18T03:18:53Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I thought Mr CK raised an interesting point regarding the motivations of child molesters and treated it in a mildly amusing manner. “Mildly amusing” only because I don’t find his work more than mildly amusing, but it was an interesting point. I only watched the first half the first time. I just watched the second half now. I wasn’t really that bad but I still think it would be better not to joke about such things. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snl-5-16-louis-cks-monologue-whoa/720236.md?page=5)