TheMadMonk

Magic Boot? That just sounds silly.
Now, a Wishing Boot on the other hand, that is science.

Bill Needle

When Riblet or whatever was going on and on about the one guy getting fired from WU I thought he might be serious, because it is seriously that bad.

Throwing Copper

I think Weekend Update is so bad now that I wouldn't be surprised to see changes mid-season to its hosts.

mugwump

Since Lorne Michaels threw a lot of money at Michael Che to get him back for Weekend Update I don't see him going anywhere.

PatD

Is this episode REALLY that different from the output of the rest of this season? I had a hard time telling. I got a few laughs, (the cannibal sketch especially), but I've seen much worse on SNL.

whotony

Get him back?

rocketsauce

And just to be clear I don't begrudge you for being offended by something. Everyone has at least one thing that does that, whether it's something that hits too close to home or what have you. But I just don't believe we should tell someone what the should and should not say based on our own personal feelings when it's done in the comedic arena. Comedy and humor in essence is a coping mechanism.

creekdipper

???? So you don't think we should ever start to say something we think is clever, realize that it's in poor taste or could be hurtful, and then refrain from saying it?

I guess we have different definitions of "censorship," but I can see where self-censorship could be considered "censorship" although I was raised in an era in which it was considered "tact" or "good taste."

However, I'm not in the mood for arguing anyway since I SAW THE LEGO MOVIE LAST NIGHT!!!!!!

Bandoman

How long do we wait until jokes can be made? Is making a joke about the Lindburgh case ok?

rocketsauce

According to him never.

rocketsauce

Sorry, I wasn't talking about self censorship, quite obviously. Again, I was only reacting to your comment that certain jokes should be off limits. I think maybe the confusion here is that I took it as you saying no one should be able to say these things when you were just saying that people should make the moral decision not to.

Just because I think you have the right to say what you want doesn't absolve you from any consequences that may arise from what you say.

TerryW

No subject is off limits for comedy...as long as it's funny. Someone will always be offended and comedy is so subjective anyway.

This show has been a train wreck since the holiday break. The only thing remotely funny in this episode was the Shawshank bit.

creekdipper

I actually thought of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping as an example...wondering if comedians at that time would have even considered doing jokes that incorporated what was then termed The Crime of the Century (a bit prematurely, I might add).

To answer the question, I'd have to ask: Why would a comedian of any intelligence (1) find the murder of children to be funny and (2) not be able to come up with an alternative?

When would it be appropriate? To me, never. That's why I don't subscribe to the "he/she is just a comedian" or "it's just a joke" mentality; a racist joke is a racist joke no matter what the venue. That's why I just -ohbrfrank- at people who at the "Comedy Jams" which are often filled wall-to-wall with racial stereotypes (of many ethnic groups), liberals such as Maher who constantly castigate racists & then turn around & make a racist joke...and then do a mock apology, "Oh, I know, that's wrong...hahaha," and misogynist comedians in the style of Andrew Dice Clay to modern comics.

Here's an alternative view from Penn Jillette (just to show that I have looked at the argument from the side of various comedians: http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfl...dded-misogyny/

Look, I've seen "The Aristocrats", so I know the directions in which comedians can take the boundaries of jokes. I'm just saying that I have to question the human sensibilities of people who can take real-life tragedies of people with living survivors and use those tragedies, even indirectly, for the sake of getting a laugh. Not as social commentary, not to satirize the attitudes of insensitive people by putting the words in those characters' mouths...but simply for a cheap laugh.

Again, I'm not suggesting that it should be illegal as it is in France (read the recent news reports of comedians being arrested for making jokes about Holocaust or mocking recent events by identifying with the terrorist who killed four hostages in the grocery). Just questioning the reasons & lack of compassion shown toward victims when cheap jokes just for easy laughs. And wondering why anyone wouldn't be offended by such a joke being made. It's not about "rights" to be stupid & offensive & disgusting, it's asking why people feel the need to so so...and get paid for it.

Shazam

Riblet was actually better than Che and Jost.

I thought the monologue thing was funny, if only because it's been decades since I've seen Hee-haw.

Very flat episode overall though. Shelton has not one ounce of acting ability.

creekdipper

Why would anyone find the a reference to the rape & murder of a six-year-old to be funny? Especially the rape and murder of a real child...not just some anonymous fictional construct?

I'll grant that the joke was making fun of the narcissism of the "bachelorette" who was whining about not getting attention. But it still seemed totally wrong to invoke the memory of a real murder victim. It's like making a joke about a creepy date and bringing up Natalee Holloway. What's worth more...to get a laugh, or to respect living friends & relatives (as well as others who have survived attacks)?

Would it be funny to compare somebody slipping and falling on the sidewalk by describing them as "flapping their arms like a 9/11 jumper?" I'm sure there are some that will find anything funny, but is reaching for the lowest common denominator supposed to be the goal of comedians. If so, let's give Larry the Cable Guy a medal at an upcoming Kennedy Center Honors.

Josh-da-man

Too long ago. Probably a fraction of 1% of people under sixty would get the reference.

Groucho

This thread is a bigger disaster than the Titanic!

slop101

Your hyperbole is giving me cancer!

SuperJim88

I was on the Titanic. I ask you to self-censor.

TerryW

Not THE Titanic but A Titanic, right?

Everything offends ME so ALL jokes are banned as of now.

JeffTheAlpaca

Was Michael Che part of the cast last season since I thought he was a newbie hired from the Daily show?

Bill Needle

I don't watch the Daily Show, so I've only ever seen him on WU. And he has been underwhelming to say the least. He's no better than Colin Jost, and that's about as low a bar as you can set.

Mr. Salty

He wasn't in the cast, but he was a writer.

Mr. Salty

I know subtlety is usually lost on you, but the joke didn't make fun of JonBenet's murder. I would try to explain it to you, but you'd just dig in your heels.

creekdipper

No, by all means, please do explain. I'm interested in seeing how your explanation will differ from my interpretation of the joke in post #40.