Is Woke Culture killing comedy?

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   Stevennix2001posted 4 years ago

   With "The Joker" coming out this week, the director of the film, Todd Phillips, said some rather interesting things about the movie itself.  For those of you unfamiliar with Todd Phillips, he made a name for himself in Hollywood directing such comedies like "Old School", and the "Hangover" trilogy.  Heck, he even got an Oscar nomination for "Best Adapted Screenplay" for his work on "Borat:   Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."
   
   He even directed the biopic, "War Dogs", as well, so he's no stranger to doing dramatic pieces either.  However, he was quoted recently in interviews that he left comedy because of Woke culture; citing  how sensitive people are these days to comedy that make what was once considered edgy and funny seem offensive and inappropriate for today's time.  In some ways, this reminds of what we're seeing with "Dave Chappelle:  Sticks and Stones."  I haven't seen Dave's new comedy special yet, but honestly I'm surprised critics are bashing it because what do you expect?  The man has always been about shock humor, as he's the type of comedian that offends EVERYONE, so you can't really hold it against him.  Sure, he could change his style of comedy but why should he?
   
   Here's his quote for you all to decide for yourselves:
   
   “Go try to be funny nowadays with this woke culture. There were articles written about why comedies don’t work anymore — I’ll tell you why, because all the fucking funny guys are like, ’Fuck this shit, because I don’t want to offend you. It’s hard to argue with 30 million people on Twitter. You just can’t do it, right? So you just go, ‘I’m out.’ I’m out, and you know what? With all my comedies — I think that what comedies in general all have in common — is they’re irreverent. So I go, ‘How do I do something irreverent, but fuck comedy? Oh I know, let’s take the comic book movie universe and turn it on its head with this.’ And so that’s really where that came from.”
   
   My thoughts are while I don't necessarily think comedy is dying, but he's right that comedy is starting to change with the times we live in.  What was once considered OK yesterday could be deemed offensive tomorrow.   I still remember when Apu was on the Simpsons, and nobody had a problem with it in the 90's.  Now, he's considered an offensive stereotype of middle eastern culture in the US, so comedy is definitely changing in America, and probably not for the best.  Heck, I'm still wondering why "Good Boys" wasn't more controversial in the media considering it featured  underage late preteen to early teen boys talking about sex and cussing a lot, but eh.  I still found it funny as hell, so that's all that matters.  lol.  Also kids learn how to kiss from the internet these days?  Damn I guess you learn something new everyday.  lol.  Anyways, what are your thoughts on this?

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      Castlepalomaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      SOUTH PARK.
      Most edgy thing since
      All in the Family.
      The gay duel produce and direct everything themselves first.
      
      I think commercialism kills a lot of beauty in the arts. Like Hollywood has become a corrupted art form. I did commercial art to support my fine art. Once you go down that road it's like joining a mafia family, Don't worry, we will take care of you. Soon as I get away, they keep dragging you back in.
      
      Oh crap, time to sleep.

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   Live to Learnposted 4 years ago

   Woke, defined as self-flagellation, is pretty much ruining any hope of comedy. I wish the religious left could be more like the old style Catholics priests. Perform their unstable rituals in the privacy of their own homes.

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      Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I think being politically correct isn't a bad thing in various media, but it shouldn't come at the cost of the overall quality of the product itself.

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         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Politically correct and woke are not one in the same. Woke involves ruining careers over any moment, without any attempt to understand context. Politically correct is more of a conversation. An attempt to help the individual see the effect their words have.

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            Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Hm true you do bring up a good point.  I remember even hearing that at Universal Studios an actor was fired for doing the "Ok" sign around a bunch of kids.  You know how theme parks will often have actors there dressed up as iconic characters to greet guests and take pictures?  Well at Universal Studios, a bunch of kids were taking photos with two actors, with one dressed up as one of the minion guys and the other as Gru, from "Despicable Me."  The guy dressed up as Gru gave the "OK" sign during one of the pictures, and the parents complained saying that the "OK" sign is for white supremacy, which leads to the actor who played Gru to be fired. It's sad really that society has gotten to the point that giving the "OK" sign with your fingers is considered offensive.   
            
            https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat … 791483002/

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               Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               The ok sign kerfuffle is insanity. Proven to be a hoax, but since it was said we have to pretend it's true.
               
               If someone doesn't stop the insanity I have no idea where it will end.

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                  Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  wait was proven to be a hoax?

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                     Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     Do you really have to ask? Anyway, the agency which determined that, and the bowl haircut, were white supremacist symbols admitted it started as a hoax, but since it was perpetrated over a period time it is now seen as reality.
                     
                     Here's white supremacy on parade
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     

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   IslandBitesposted 4 years ago

   "The left". Yup, that took so long. SMH
   
   
   Anyway, back to the original question. I don't think comedy is dying. But yes, I agree that is changing, as everything do. Cheap shots are less funny, especially because the usual targets are no longer silent. Some people would think is just a "now" thing, but is not. A lot of what was considered funny 50, 75, 100 years ago it is now considered offensive for our society, or at least to most of us.
   
   Yes, some comedians go to far. Yes, some people are too sensitive. Nothing new.

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      Castlepalomaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I do part time standup comedy. The long term veterans of Comedy are as good or better than the pass.
      
      The overloaded amount comedians who mostly perform in bars, are really hard to tolerate. Alot of the worst ones that are useing Comedy for their medicine therapy. Do alot swearing to get cheap thrills and laughs..

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         Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         you do part time comedy acts?  hmm i heard that it's supposedly a lot harder than it looks to be honest.  is that true?  also i'd love to know what you usually do to prep for your acts to be honest, as i've heard stories from other people before, and always found it fascinating.

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            Castlepalomaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            The greatest fear in America is public speaking, luckily I am fearless. So add on to that with there are different jokes for different fokes in standup. The worst time is when there is total silence from the audience, you have bombed.
            Rather have hecklers or booooos because my blood boils and have enough wit to salvage a little laugh. Sometimes the audiences can turn on you like a pack of wolves on a bad joke. Don't do a Gong show.  Best thing is practice on stage, about 100 times up there, you will find out how good you are. Sometimes I get paid.
            
            Humor has alot of funny logic.
            Sometimes I test a joke here on hubpages to see if I get a laugh. In comedy you can, be all, and end all. Good Comedians are actually the most serious people I know.

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      Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It isn't the right pushing the bs. Give credit where credit is due,.

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      Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      But the problem is we have to worry about censorship though.  The reality is where are the lines being drawn?  And who draws them?  There needs to be something of a compromise or balance because if there's no compromise or balance, then eventually it could lead to a dangerous precedent down the road.   I personally don't mind shock comedy like Dave Chappelle does because he offends everyone. Not just certain groups of people, which is what I think humor should be like.  If your entire comedy act revolves around making fun of groups of people, then make fun of everyone to make it fair or don't do it at all. 
      
      That's always been my position on it, but that's just me.

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         Castlepalomaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         South Park hits on everyone, even people they like.
         
         For the Ones they like, it's kinda  like in Australia, the more they insult you, the more they like you.

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   Wesman Todd Shawposted 4 years ago

   Political correctness is absolutely toxic. So when you see someone trying to be 'politically correct,' it's best you not speak to that person at all. That person is wanting to police what you say, and what you think, as though they actually have the authority to do so. It's cancer.

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      Castlepalomaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, there is some people I feel I'm wasting my time with. They may be trying to set me up.
      I have my own secret service and bs detector.

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   Mark O Richardsonposted 4 years ago

   I don't like how so many are PC now. That is why I love "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".

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   RachaelLeflerposted 4 years ago

   I think it used to be the expectation that if you didn't like what someone said, you just turned off the TV/radio or didn't go to that movie. Now they want more than that when they don't like something? Idgi.

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      wildernessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It seems that today we are expected not to use words that have been built into triggers for emotional distress of others.  Although those triggers are different for everyone, we're expected to know, and avoid, them all.
      
      But when we don't know what those triggers are and unwittingly use them anyway we are declared to be insensitive, racist, sexist or some other (intentionally) offensive label.  Madness.

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         Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Wow your comment alone pretty much sums up everything as I don't think anyone else here could have said it better.

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   psycheskinnerposted 4 years ago

   Good comedians seem to be able to figure it out.  The idea comedians used to have free reign is a fallacy.  They used to get done for obscenity all the time.  Female comedians used to not get booked at all.  Now they just have new challenges like everyone else because it's a changing world.  That's exactly what they are meant to be riffing on.

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