Flash Fiction: The Standup

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   Jodahposted 3 years ago

   Please read this excellent piece of flash fiction by Mark Tulin. It has a very relevant message in today’s “cancel culture” society. I pity comedians…it seems they can’t make jokes about anything anymore.
   https://discover.hubpages.com/literatur … me-Extinct

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      MizBejabbersposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, John, for steering us to this really sad piece of fiction that seems to be a true commentary on today's society. When did it get that way? When did things even start the downhill slide? My husband and I both worked in broadcasting for a number of years. We've discussed the things that went on, just good clean fun, well, with a few dirty jokes and double entendres thrown in for good measure. Today those same types of actions, jokes, etc. are getting people fired and ruining their reputations and lives in general. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about the casting couches or actual sexual abuse of employees by bosses or other employees.
      
      As one of the females who broke the glass ceiling in the talent end of broadcasting, I never had to put up with that. I was accepted as one of "the guys" and respected as a professional, but none of them walked on eggs around me. I wasn't patted, pinched or pawed, but the guys didn't hold back their risque jokes when I was present, and I laughed with them. I do suspect that they withheld some of the raunchiest ones, but regardless, I didn't run home to mama or file a lawsuit. When did women's ears and constitutions revert to the Victorian Age? In the 1960s and 1970s, we wanted equality. It appears that today, some women just can't handle it. Race and religion, all that is now taboo, too.
      
      BTW, I worked with several black employees, both on air and in the office, and there was no color in the stations. We were all just "professionals" to each other, that is with the exception of one black woman who had a chip on her shoulder. She didn't last too long in the business.
      I'll wait to see how much flack I get for speaking out.

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      Mark Tulinposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for you're feedback and stimulating the conversation, Jodah!

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         Jodahposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         You are welcome, Mark.

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2. 85

   Jodahposted 3 years ago

   MizB, thank you for speaking out and telling it like it is, or how it used to be. Political correctness, cancel-culture etc has just gotten out of control and gone too far.
   When comedians can no longer be funny and say what comes off the top of their heads for fear of offending people, it is getting bad.
   We have a popular comedian in Australia named Steddy Eddy who has cerebral palsy. for years he appeared on TV specials etc and was absolutely hilarious although most of his jokes were based on his disability.
   When I went on a cruise three years ago, he was a feature act. he said that we would never see him on TV anymore because his brand of comedy was too politically incorrect. That is a real shame as he is one of the funniest, though confronting, comedians there is. It is getting to the stage where the majority of people are losing their freedom of speech and expression because of the minority of snowflakes.

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      MizBejabbersposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      That's a shame. This kinda reminds me of the old Jimmy Buffett song "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes", and the line from it's chorus "if we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane." Seems like we can't laugh anymore. The world is going insane (and taking us with it).

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         Mark Tulinposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Well said, MizBejabbers.

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   Brenda Arledgeposted 3 years ago

   Mark
   This story kept my attention.
   I love to go see comedians, but haven't gotten to since before Covid-19.
   I'd hate to think they no longer can be themselves.
   But i also think it's fine to tell jokes that are clean.
   
   They are still good.  Some comedians have went way too vulgar, like they're afraid they can't make it big without it.
   Good story.

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      Mark Tulinposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Brenda,
      I agree that some comedians are over the top with vulgarity--but it's more the subject matter that's concerning to me. Humans are pretty funny, no matter what color, gender, or religion. I wouldn't want to see the truth in humor to stop. We all need to laugh at ourselves and our institutions. And, perhaps, take ourselves less seriously.

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