Humour that offends
via theage.com.au
The above-linked article is a good overview of the fuss that arose last night when The Chaser boys aired a sketch called “Make a Realistic Wish Foundation”. Personally, I thought it was very offensive and very funny - I don’t believe the two are mutually exclusive. In fact, it reminded me of a speech given in the animated TV show “Duckman”. I reprint it here for your edification, gentle reader:
It’s precisely when humour is offensive that we need it the most. Comedy should provoke, it should blast through prejudices, challenge preconceptions. Comedy should always leave you different than when it found you.> > > > > Sure, humour can hurt, even alienate, but the risk is better than the alternative: a steady diet of innocuous, child-proof flavourless mush! Demand to be challenged! To be offended! To be treated like thinking, reasoning adults! And raise your children to be the same. Don’t let a comedian, a network, a congressional committee or an evil genius to take away your freedom to laugh at whatever you want.
So there.