Cancel Comedy or Keep It King?
Don’t even think that comedy should be cancelled–NO FILTR Comedy Show is proof of that. But unfortunately, there are those who are looking to restructure what humor should be and if it doesn’t conform to their liking, well, then it should be shutdown…because they say so.
There was a time when mother-in-law jokes were as close to a “roast” topic as some comedians would get. They shied away from hard hitting issues, preferring instead to please their more puritan audiences. Not that there was anything wrong with that–their job was to make audiences laugh and they knew what topics their fans were comfortable laughing at, so they kept it safe for propriety’s sake.
But there were a few comedians who managed to stoke some controversy. Even a century ago Will Rogers was adding some spark to the ho hum mix. He insulted politicians via politically balanced riffs: “Remember, write to your congressman. Even if he can’t read, write to him.” Rogers skewered the donkey and elephant parties individually as well, doling out comments such as, “A cannibal is a good deal like a Democrat, they are forced to live off each other” and “Republicans take care of big money, for big money takes care of them.” A hundred years ago these jokes were taken in stride–people laughed, or they grumbled, but they didn’t call for the orator’s head.
Over time, however, audiences in any genre of entertainment are ready for something different to be added to their showbiz recipe, and their taste for comedy was ready for change. The Friars Club created the Roast because their formal Testimonial Dinners started to get a little more risqué for an all-gender–or as malaprop comedian Norm Crosby would say, “a bisexual crowd." It was best to keep an affair that would have salty words and ribald insults confined to a stag event. Thankfully they did eventually open the doors to one and all to enjoy the often inappropriate but funny jokes, even if it was at a guest of honor’s expense.
Comedy can work no matter how it’s delivered if there’s an audience who enjoys what they’re listening to or watching. So, if someone finds a particular show or comedian using uncouth words, off-color jests, anti-establishment rants, politically incorrect judgments, or just plain tasteless comments, it doesn’t make the show or act evil, it just may appeal to a specialized audience. Comedians walk a fine line and the discussion of what should be joked about and what should be off limits is a debate and a topic for another time. But to cancel shows, end careers, and make judgements based solely on what a select few deem unworthy for others who may enjoy them seems a bit dictatorial. Especially when there’s a constitution offering freedom of speech. We’re not talking about laws that are being broken or comments made at militant rallies here, just moral discomfort over jokes by those with a different mindset. It’s become a cliché at this point to note to those who are uncomfortable, “then just don’t watch it,” but that IS a simple solution versus gnashing teeth and calls to silence the alleged perpetrators.
NO FILTR Comedy Show offers something for the left, the right, and the middle. It’s for the person who may not want to say what’s on their mind but feels comfortable nodding in agreement along with those who do. The person who is on the fence about a subject and curious where others stand. The person who is comforted to discover they’re not alone in how they feel about a particular issue. Open debate makes for a healthy democracy–not just in politics but on any dispute that can be viewed by several differing sides. NO FILTR offers the platform for discussion and the comedy to diffuse the angst. We’re not looking to instigate riots or rebellion or add fuel to fires…just tossing out food for thought–and laughs.