Can 'rape jokes' be funny?

[Nordling]

I agree that jokes that trivialize the perpetrator of various acts of assault, including rape, may be funny if they, in some way make victims feel better, but I still maintain there's nothing funny about the act or the perpetrators.

It is true that the psychological purpose of humor is to mitigate the effects of horrific events--think about it, all jokes are in some way about bad things; falling on a banana peel, infidelity, poo, farting--some are just more sophisticated than others. However, there's still lines to be drawn on what subjects are very sensitive and any jokes about them take more trouble than most comics are willing to invest in to make them acceptable.

In the example of Carlin above, I don't find it up to Carlin's own standards, but that's just me. Yeah, you can joke about anything, but who will laugh and at what?

 

[AmberCutie]

I might get shit for this, but I think ANYTHING can** be funny. Here's a perfect example:

Google "Hitler's house". Within the first page, a bunch of images of a house that looks like Hitler. Then there are the Kitlers, the cats that look like Hitler. Here's one of the most hated men ever, and with making fun of him, we strip him of his power. It's a reaffirms that now, after all the pain he's caused, he's nothing but a joke, a mockery. Which is the last thing he ever wanted to be. Personally, after all he did, I find that extremely satisfying.

Then, we have the issue with rape jokes. Personally, I don't consider what Tosh said to actually be a joke because it really um, wasn't, but that's besides the point. It was incredibly distasteful. I made a rape joke last night, and maybe it was offensive, but I thought it was pretty funny. I made a joke about a tentacle bursting through the wall and the girl on the other side raping it, and the tentacle needing to go to therapy afterward. I've been molested, and I don't personally think it's unhealthy to use humor as a way to get over something. Of course rape isn't funny. It's horrible. Just like how dead babies are horrible. Part of the humor of offensive jokes is laughing at yourself for laughing at something so terrible, and also, realizing that a joke and reality are completely different. If people ONLY made jokes instead of acting out the things that happen in them, the world would be a much better place.

I really don't think this argument is any different to the "do violent movies turn watchers into violent people" and "do shooting games turn players into killers" arguments.

That said, I think when it comes down to it, it's all about the nature of the joke, where it's coming from. But that's true of any joke, rape joke or not.

Once I met a guy in a wheelchair who had the MOST positive attitude about it ever. Even moshed with him (and yes, the wheelchair may have cut me up a bit, but totally worth it). He was FULL of wheelchair jokes. Sometimes, with somethings, you just HAVE to laugh, because what other choice do you have?

I've been hesitating posting in here, because clearly it's a relatively heated topic, but when I read this (and re-read it) I just had to thank and quote and comment on it, because I agree with it completely. And I've bolded the main highlights of it that I think really hit the nail on the head.

Also I added the ** to the "can be funny", because it really does depend on the context, the build up, and the delivery if a joke is to be funny or distasteful. I've always been of the mindset that "comedy has no boundaries." But as Veronica said, this really wasn't a joke, it was a bad reaction.

Tosh obviously had a bit of a meltdown moment and reacted badly. Just as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, we as entertainers can understand how he felt to a certain degree. Everyone deals with insults/hecklers/trolls/etc differently and is bound to have a moment in their career where they regret how they reacted to it. People are allowed to be upset by it and speak their mind about it. He's allowed to apologize for it and ask for forgiveness. I don't know if that's happened yet, or if it will.

To answer directly the question in the subject of this thread: Yes, a rape joke can be funny. It depends on the audience, the delivery and the context. Lots of serious and taboo and sensitive topics can be joked about. But not all jokes are going to be funny to all the people all the time.

 

[Anonymous]

I might get shit for this, but I think ANYTHING can** be funny. Here's a perfect example:

Google "Hitler's house". Within the first page, a bunch of images of a house that looks like Hitler. Then there are the Kitlers, the cats that look like Hitler. Here's one of the most hated men ever, and with making fun of him, we strip him of his power. It's a reaffirms that now, after all the pain he's caused, he's nothing but a joke, a mockery. Which is the last thing he ever wanted to be. Personally, after all he did, I find that extremely satisfying.

Then, we have the issue with rape jokes. Personally, I don't consider what Tosh said to actually be a joke because it really um, wasn't, but that's besides the point. It was incredibly distasteful. I made a rape joke last night, and maybe it was offensive, but I thought it was pretty funny. I made a joke about a tentacle bursting through the wall and the girl on the other side raping it, and the tentacle needing to go to therapy afterward. I've been molested, and I don't personally think it's unhealthy to use humor as a way to get over something. Of course rape isn't funny. It's horrible. Just like how dead babies are horrible. Part of the humor of offensive jokes is laughing at yourself for laughing at something so terrible, and also, realizing that a joke and reality are completely different. If people ONLY made jokes instead of acting out the things that happen in them, the world would be a much better place.

I really don't think this argument is any different to the "do violent movies turn watchers into violent people" and "do shooting games turn players into killers" arguments.

That said, I think when it comes down to it, it's all about the nature of the joke, where it's coming from. But that's true of any joke, rape joke or not.

Once I met a guy in a wheelchair who had the MOST positive attitude about it ever. Even moshed with him (and yes, the wheelchair may have cut me up a bit, but totally worth it). He was FULL of wheelchair jokes. Sometimes, with somethings, you just HAVE to laugh, because what other choice do you have?

I've been hesitating posting in here, because clearly it's a relatively heated topic, but when I read this (and re-read it) I just had to thank and quote and comment on it, because I agree with it completely. And I've bolded the main highlights of it that I think really hit the nail on the head.

Also I added the ** to the "can be funny", because it really does depend on the context, the build up, and the delivery if a joke is to be funny or distasteful. I've always been of the mindset that "comedy has no boundaries." But as Veronica said, this really wasn't a joke, it was a bad reaction.

Tosh obviously had a bit of a meltdown moment and reacted badly. Just as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, we as entertainers can understand how he felt to a certain degree. Everyone deals with insults/hecklers/trolls/etc differently and is bound to have a moment in their career where they regret how they reacted to it. People are allowed to be upset by it and speak their mind about it. He's allowed to apologize for it and ask for forgiveness. I don't know if that's happened yet, or if it will.

To answer directly the question in the subject of this thread: Yes, a rape joke can be funny. It depends on the audience, the delivery and the context. Lots of serious and taboo and sensitive topics can be joked about. But not all jokes are going to be funny to all the people all the time.

I completely agree that given the right circumstances I suppose even a rape joke could be funny, and if that is all the OP was asking, then I would likely concede yes.

However, this debate isn't about the jokes Tosh told prior to the woman heckling him, and if they were funny or not; this is about the response he gave the woman after she heckled him. What he said was not a joke, it was a personal attack disguised as a joke. And that...no matter the situation and circumstances is not funny, and never will be.

 

[PlayboyMegan]

The particular joke he made wasn't funny, many rape jokes, IMO are. I understand why it could be a sensitive topic to some and why they wouldn't find it funny. But let's face it, we all have something that is sensitive to us and there will always be a comedian to make a joke about it.

 

[mynameisbob84]

I completely agree that given the right circumstances I suppose even a rape joke could be funny, and if that is all the OP was asking, then I would likely concede yes.

Pretty much, yeah. I put the Tosh thing up there becuse it was relevant and current but the bigger question was "can rape jokes ever be funny". I didn't expect anyone to find Tosh's non-joke funny (and I'm pleased that nobody did).

 

[SoTxBob]

Can 'rape jokes' be funny?
Sure, of course. Anything can be as long as you're not taking it as a personal affront to your existence.

Disclaimer: I'm not supporting this guy in any fashion nor do I find him much of a comedic talent for the rest of his portfolio.

IDk.. to me it seems as if most here feel since this came from "a comedian on stage", it was some sort of joke or meant to be funny... I don't think it was in the least. It was an attack to get a heckler to STFU and cut them[her] as deep as could be to disorient them with little time involved as possible. If it were in a physical sense, say a street fight,.. some would walk away or turn the other cheek. Some heat the situation as much as possible by constant arguing and keep it verbal. Others get down n dirty and start punching it out. The last type is the type to not mince words and simply cut you deep or shoot you in the face and be done with it.

I'm thinking this was in theory a deep cut to disarm her and hopefully allow him to finish his set. The added thing to this tho is the free publicity generated and of course name recognition.
It worked the same for Michael Richards. His breaking point was in 2007 if I remember right. It's still spoken about as if it was yesterday.... [ Talk about never letting go of the past and moving on.] While his outburst was probably the same sort of 'snap' or breaking point as this one, a knee jerk angry reaction to a heckler, neither were acceptable in the larger politically correct context. I honestly don't think either intended it as joke or any attempt at funny.
:twocents-02cents:

 

[Nordling]

I haven't seen any real examples of funny rape jokes, other than cartoon characters, and I suspect the humor there is in the absurdity of cute cartoon characters having sex, not so much about assault coupled with forced intercourse.

Speaking of reacting to hecklers, did anyone who remembers him think Andy Kaufman was funny? He often made it part of his "bit" to attack audience members in usually, strange embarrassing ways. Is laughter the only legitimate response to humor? Kaufman apparently thought so. Myself, other than his Latka character in "Taxi," I didn't really enjoy him, but admit I felt that general sense of unease that he strove to create.

 

[SoTxBob]

I agree, Latka was amusing in an odd sort of way, but the rest of his 'aggression shtick' was uninteresting to me.

 

[Kradek]

I also mainly avoided this thread because it became sidetracked a bit from the stated topic, but it immediately made me think of Louis CK. Here is Louis CK performing a rape joke (more than one actually).




And here he is, on "Talking Funny", talking about telling the joke (not embedded because I wanted to link directly to the point where they talk about it). It's interesting to hear actual comedians talking about why they think the joke is funny. I thought it was interesting that Jerry Seinfeld said it was funny because he "just tap danced over six laser beams." The whole special, "Talking Funny," is pretty good.

 

[bigsancho]

Tosh should of gone the route of Bill Hicks with dealing with hecklers


And here are some jokes about rape mainly towards men

Best part Dave gave his audience (jokingly) some shit about clapping about the joke

 

[sweetiebatman]

One question I have is, are Americans bad at comedy? This chump that this thread is dedicated to says so, for such a big country theres not much coming out of the US comedy wise to say it has such great history

 

[bigsancho]

One question I have is, are Americans bad at comedy? This chump that this thread is dedicated to says so, for such a big country theres not much coming out of the US comedy wise to say it has such great history

Tosh is German so not ours

 

[Nordling]

He's German-American and immigrated here when he was a kid. Like most of us, he may not be native American, but I think we still have to call him American.

 

[Poker_Babe]

It's only funny when joking about men getting raped! :lol:
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/2/aqua-teen-hunger-force-hand-banana-669545

OK, I know I'm probably gonna catch shyt for that joke. Anyone really being raped is never funny.

 

[SweepTheLeg]

Can't believe I missed this topic or I'd have been raping this thread. Ooops poor choice of words.

Yes, rape jokes can be funny, jokes about everything can be funny- If we're going to start putting a limit on what can't be funny and thus can't be talked about by comedians on stage because it may offend someone then we're going to have the same 5 jokes to tell.

Daniel Tosh: What do you guys want to talk about?
Person in front row: Rape

Daniel then goes on talking about how rape jokes can be funny when the girl interrupts him. He never got to tell any jokes about rape or if he did they were after he handled being interrupted. Interrupt a comic's set, they aren't going to try and be funny all the time while showing you how pissed off they are at you. And actually the "How funny would it be if five guys just showed up and raped her right now" is incredibly tame in my eyes compared to other things I have heard from other comics who have had to put up with the same.

Should a comic come on stage and as soon as an audience member shouts "I'm offended!" quickly change topics to something else? This isn't Netflix, you are not in control. You can leave, or you can simply not go- those are the only things you control. And if enough people left on a frequent basis, or stopped paying to attend then the comic would change his act, but when he's getting a standing ovation by the rest of the other 200+ in the audience he should have changed his act for the one girl who got offended? Besides, knowing Daniel Tosh rape wouldn't have been the first topic he brought up that would have offended her anyway and she'd have shouted "You can't ever joke about that either!" and it'd have turned into a gag where every time he began a premise he'd look over at her and wait for the nod of approval before continuing.

Besides, I'm offended by her going to go see Dane Cook. Anyone that pays to see Dane Cook do anything deserves to be raped.

 

[JoleneBrody]

Okee... feel free to hate me.
After getting a full explanation of how the situation went down, I don't think tosh was even distasteful, beyond the normal scope anyway.
An audience member suggested rape, whether a rape joke can be funny or not was being discussed, some rude bitch made a scene and he used the current subject to put her down.

I honestly was under the assumption that he just pulled the rape out of his ass (snicker) while being heckled, not that it was what was currently being discussed.

If he had succeeded in making the joke funny this wouldn't be getting discussed. He failed, it was a lame joke and no one laughed. Instead people made a scene. It's the risk you take when you're a tongue in cheek comedian. If your joke fails, people will be offended. What a scary business to be in.

Also because I feel like being a nit picker... if anyone else feels that rape jokes are horrible unless they are about a man being raped you seriously need to step back and evaluate yourself.

By making a big deal about rape jokes and women and laughing at rape jokes about men you not only are disrespecting men as HUMAN BEINGS but also placing women in this vulnerable state. We are not a bunch of delicate little flowers that need to be coddled! Women, stop acting like we are in your attempts to stand up for equal rights, you are honestly just making it more divided.

/rant

 

[lordmagellan]

So what you're saying is...
she should have clicked "next comedian."

 

[skiphop90]

There shouldn't be any 'no-go' area in comedy. If you think that perhaps there are some subjects that might make you uncomfortable, maybe don't watch comedy gig where the comedian has been known to have adult material.

I'll never understand why some mongs go to watch an offensive comedian and moan when they get offended.

 

[SweepTheLeg]

The blogger or Tumblrerer or whatever you want to call this broad tried using the defense of she "Didn't know who Daniel Tosh was, only decided to stay after paying to see Dane Cook who she wanted to see and enjoyed in the first place" it felt like such a blatant premeditated defense knowing people were going to say "Don't see an offensive comic, then get offended". Either case, I don't buy it. In this day and age of technology you can easily find out who any act that you may not have heard of is and decide if you want to dish the money out to see them perform or at least know what you're getting into. There is no excuse for not knowing what you are walking into if you are that concerned about the possibility of being offended.

 

[skiphop90]

The blogger or Tumblrerer or whatever you want to call this broad tried using the defense of she "Didn't know who Daniel Tosh was, only decided to stay after paying to see Dane Cook who she wanted to see and enjoyed in the first place" it felt like such a blatant premeditated defense knowing people were going to say "Don't see an offensive comic, then get offended". Either case, I don't buy it. In this day and age of technology you can easily find out who any act that you may not have heard of is and decide if you want to dish the money out to see them perform or at least know what you're getting into. There is no excuse for not knowing what you are walking into if you are that concerned about the possibility of being offended.

Leave then! Silly mare.

EDIT: I'd also like to say that I find Tosh to be hilariously unfunny. His material in general offends my sense of humour.

 

[SweepTheLeg]

I like him, I've known of him years before he ever got this show, heard him on the bob and tom show on the radio and listened to his "True Stories I made up" CD and watched his Completely Serious special on comedy central and I enjoyed his comedy stylings.

 

[Poker_Babe]

Now tell me the scene where Ron Jeremy is getting ready to butt rape that guy isn't at least a little funny.

 

[SweepTheLeg]

WHOA! I may have defended a joke about rape, but a song? That is where I draw the line, you have offended me and my family.

 

[Poker_Babe]

Or how about this scene from the movie Big Stan?!

 

[Poker_Babe]

Also because I feel like being a nit picker... if anyone else feels that rape jokes are horrible unless they are about a man being raped you seriously need to step back and evaluate yourself.

By making a big deal about rape jokes and women and laughing at rape jokes about men you not only are disrespecting men as HUMAN BEINGS but also placing women in this vulnerable state. We are not a bunch of delicate little flowers that need to be coddled! Women, stop acting like we are in your attempts to stand up for equal rights, you are honestly just making it more divided.

/rant

OK I wasn't saying that jokes about women getting raped are horrible but when it comes to men it's funny. I was joking. The link was to a video of an episode of ATHF that I think is hella' funny... it involves a man getting raped though.
I happen to think that any subject has the potential for finding humor in it.

 

[JoleneBrody]

Also because I feel like being a nit picker... if anyone else feels that rape jokes are horrible unless they are about a man being raped you seriously need to step back and evaluate yourself.

By making a big deal about rape jokes and women and laughing at rape jokes about men you not only are disrespecting men as HUMAN BEINGS but also placing women in this vulnerable state. We are not a bunch of delicate little flowers that need to be coddled! Women, stop acting like we are in your attempts to stand up for equal rights, you are honestly just making it more divided.

/rant

OK I wasn't saying that jokes about women getting raped are horrible but when it comes to men it's funny. I was joking. The link was to a video of an episode of ATHF that I think is hella' funny... it involves a man getting raped though.
I happen to think that any subject has the potential for finding humor in it.

I agree with you 100%! I have laughed my ass off to more than one rape joke.
It wasn't just you, you just reminded me of it. This came up in the beginning of the thread and I was pretty horrified.
Not at the rape joke part but at the sexist part. I'm just shocked on a daily basis how often men are dehumanized and how little anyone notices.

 

[bigsancho]

Has anybody mention that she accepted 2 free tickets for another show at that venue?

 

[SweepTheLeg]

She's going to milk being offended then too to get free tickets again. What a scam.

 

[skiphop90]

Who will she see then? Frankie Boyle? Roy Chubby Brown?

 

[Poker_Babe]

Wow, that kinda reminds me of the time my husband got fired from KFC. You know those pot pies that's on the menu??? Well to help make his job a little less monotonous, he use to carve funny things on top of the pies, like smiley faces and such. One day he carved the words "Eat Me" on top of the pie, and the lady who bought it started complaining and throwing around words like "sexual harassment"... Someone was looking for a payday.