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Yeah, I guess a lot of modern comedy is on the PC edge in many ways (which is probably a good thing). But although I'm fairly dark, cynical and objective, what worries me with this type of joke is how it can be easily misinterpreted and laughed at for "the wrong reasons", defeating the object; i.e. it's no longer funny. Equally, it can be subverted and jokes which are simply unacceptable might slip through beneath the cynicism and wit.
Of course, like with any text the viewer brings their own experiences and perspective into play, and you can't make a gag fool-proof. But in today's environment every artist has to be partly responsibility for their work and the affects it has on an audience (was that the sound of a can of worms being forced open?)
I'm reminded of Alf Garnet, and how everyone involved with 'Till Death Us Do Part' now talks about how the joke was always on the racists. But when I was young I didn't see it this way. It was obvious that Garnet was a prick but people seemed to laugh at what he said (not necessarily AT HIM), and they even seemed to have a certain "love" for him. Of course, for the times the program was brave and open in many ways, Alf Garnet was a rounder character than a mere racist, and I'm not for a second accusing anyone involved of racism. But surely you can see how easily a BNP supporter could love Alf Garnet; no?
I know Leigh Francis (and co.) seem to satirise everyone (white, black, male, female, gay, straight, etc) with equal veracity, but the pizza delivery character didn't seem to be as "deep" as (say) Michael Jackson, or other "Asian" comedy characters like Apu in the Simpsons.
Or am I missing something and taking all this waaaaay too seriously? |
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