Did the Comedian Wanda Sykes go overboard?

1. 60

   countrywomenposted 14 years ago

   We were in the office today discussing about the White House Correspondents Dinner where Wanda Sykes made some reference to Rush Limbaugh's liver to "fail" and couple of other things(like mentioning Sarah Palin about "Abstinence"). Do you think there is a line that comedians shouldn't cross?
   
   Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJR-WzMjCGA

   replyreport
2. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Hi, CW-
   I saw the President's Correspondents Dinner speeches on CNN.  I saw nothing there I felt was in bad taste (and absolutely NOTHING Limbaugh himself would not say or do--he goes much, much further).  Wanda Sykes was completely within her purview, as it was supposed to be satire of politics/politicos.
   
   Obama was actually the funny one.  Dick Cheney is writing his memoirs, ie, entitled "How to Shoot Friends and Interrogate People," LOL.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well we had an office colleague who felt very offended by the attack on the conservatives. I didn't see that program live and then checked on youtube and found it ok personally(but then I am leaning towards liberal thinking).

      replyreport
3. 75

   thranaxposted 14 years ago

   Personally, I find that if it is funny and it isn't sexist, raciest, or offensive to a group of people that it should be allowed. Kinda like when someone breaks the law for a good cause and everyone looks away and says they seen nothing, its that kind of thing.
   
   ~thranax~

   replyreport
4. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Well, if we tolerate Limbaugh, we certainly can tolerate Wanda Sykes.  Very mild comparatively speaking.

   replyreport
5. 80

   bgpappaposted 14 years ago

   Sykes and Limbaugh can say whatever they want.  Funny how conservatives are offended what was said at a dinner considering what many of them said on the House Floor during debates on gays in the military, gay marriage and other things.

   replyreport
6. 85

   Just For Funposted 14 years ago

   "Personally, I find that if it is funny and it isn't sexist, raciest, or offensive to a group of people that it should be allowed."
   
   Recovering alcoholics are a group. Everything's on limits, including sexism, racism, and offensiveness. Interesting though that the same President that's laughing at people's kidneys falling out is the same person pushing legislation against "hate speech".

   replyreport
   1. 60

      countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Obama was taking potshots at some folks like Rush limbaugh but what has his comic talk to the audience to do with his legislation against "hate speech"(which seems appropriate in present day world where intolerance is one of the problems).

      replyreport
      1. 85

         Just For Funposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Obama laughed when Wanda made the joke about Rush's kidneys. Kidney disease isn't funny in the politically correct world. Neither is making fun of Special Olympics participants. Obama has the right to make fun of whoever and whatever he wants.
         
         Obama does NOT have the right to tell me that I can't call a certain group a certain name, offensive or not. Racist, sexist, and offensive speech is wrong, but it should never be illegal.

         replyreport
7. 78

   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   It was a joke...she is a comedian. It was hardly hate speech.
   
   Was Limbaugh offended? Rush Limbaugh has said a lot more disgusting things about other people. He doesn't stop to think that he might offend people and is not above making jokes hoping someone will die. If you can't take it, don't spew it out...

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Just For Funposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't even think Rush mentioned it on his show. Hannity brought it up on his show and recovered alcoholic Bob Beckel was the one who was outraged. He said he would have walked out if he heard it and was shocked that Obama had laughed at it. He's seen people suffer or die from it.

      replyreport
8. 60

   icewave5posted 14 years ago

   Whose Wanda Skye?... never heard of her...

   replyreport
9. 75

   Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

   I havent heard of Wanda either ,next time Im in youtube I will maybe check it out.
   
   Checkout Robin Williams on youtube perfoming stand-up in London ( Royal Show) and he was hilarious. I think the title has Obama's name in it ( because there quite a few there) but Robin is so gifted ,and such a perceptive guy.

   replyreport
10. 62

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    I don't think what some comedienne says about some talk show host is a big deal.
    
    I do think, though, regardless of the party, that the President of the United States ought to be more dignified, professional, and sensitive than to make jokes about something as sobering as interrogating people (at least within the recent climate).  "Points off" for that particular, so-called, "joke".  He could have stopped at the shooting-in-face joke (as if that one hasn't been done a "zillion" times) and come out looking a lot better.

    replyreport
11. 60

    Adrianna's Pagesposted 14 years ago

    I agree w/UW. It's a forum for "jokingly" knocking your peers (and other connected principles) down.
    
    They're both known for having "BIG" mouths and saying stupid things...and yes, Rush cuts much deeper than what was said about him. "If ya can't take the heat get out of the kitchen" seems to fit here.
    
    Look, Religion and politics will never be okay to discuss with many people. I am always catagorize myself as a right wing demacrat. Equal opportunity insults on both sides of the isle.
    
    This world has gone way to "PC". No one can take a joke.
    
    At the end of the day...No, I don't think that she was out of line and Rush, if he were there, would've given it back with both barrels, laughed and moved on.
    
    Has anyone ever listened to his show? Seriously.
    
    Take care,
    Adrianna

    replyreport
    1. 85

       Just For Funposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Amen.

       replyreport
       1. 60

          countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Me too.

          replyreport
12. 61

    Capable Womanposted 14 years ago

    No she didn't. She spoke the truth through comedy, which is her job.
    
    Rush Limbaugh is a traitor for saying what he said...I thought so from the moment I heard him say it. Good for her for having the courage to call it out.
    
    If W was new in the white house and a liberal commentator said they wanted the whole administration to fail..oh my God, they'd be crucified by the right.
    
    And as to Sarah Palin...what Sykes said was not at all harsh. Again, her job is to be humorous and to make use of the material that's available.
    
    YAY WANDA!

    replyreport
13. 39

    DeskCoderposted 14 years ago

    She always goes overboard.  I have never liked her, and I DON'T think she is funny.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Who is your favorite comedian?

       replyreport
       1. 39

          DeskCoderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Michael Richards? 
          
          j/k ... Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, and the guy who draws all the pictures (he had a show on comedy central).

          replyreport
14. 82

    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    Wanda is one funny lady, but she is highly irreverent on many topics, but so are other comedians.  Not sure if the White House is the place to do that, but back in 92 Bush Sr. hired Dana Carvey to do his comedic impression of himself, for which he was famous for on SNL.  Since Bush was leaving office he may have felt more open to this comedy, but not everything Carvey said was exactly PC.

    replyreport
15. 78

    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    Remember the big stink Stephen Colbert caused at the White House Correspondents Dinner a couple of years back? He was roundly attacked for implying that Bush was stupid...

    replyreport
    1. 60

       countrywomenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       And by now are we sure??

       replyreport
16. 60

    Pete Maidaposted 14 years ago

    Limbaugh has been insulting people six ways from Sunday for many years; I think he can take a shot or two.  I also believe that President Obama had the best lines.

    replyreport
17. 82

    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    I like Wanda Sykes because she is one of the few prominent female comediennes out there, and her take on things are pretty refreshing.  Just was a hoot in Monster in Law.

    replyreport
18. 60

    Pete Maidaposted 14 years ago

    I saw her somewhere before the election and she said that if OBama gets elected some of us will have a problem.  You can't complain about the man if you are the man.  She has an in-your-face style about everyone and everything.

    replyreport
19. 82

    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    I do not agree with everything she says, but as with most comedy I just have to find her humorous.  My friend's mom was offended by the movie Wedding Crashers because of the behavior of the main characters, but I just saw it as a hilarious movie.  I would by no means do the things they do, who would, but comedians and actors do outrageous things as part of their trade.  It is just entertainment and not meant to be taken seriously.

    replyreport