Posted on May 7, 2022
Opinion: For comedians, safety is a growing concern
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https://www.npr.org/2022/05/07/ [login to see] /opinion-for-comedians-safety-is-a-growing-concern
"My father, who was a comedian, used to advise me when I was in a school play, "Don't worry if the audience walks out on you. Just if they start coming toward you."
In March, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock before an audience of millions at the Oscars, after Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, his wife.
And this week, Dave Chappelle was tackled onstage at the Hollywood Bowl by a man with a knife inside a replica gun. Security guards chased down the attacker and pulled him offstage. The Los Angeles city attorney's office has filed charges.
Dave Chappelle has been criticized for transphobic jokes in his standup sets and Netflix specials. He returned to that theme after the Hollywood Bowl incident, joking that his attacker was a trans man.
Chris Rock also happened to be on the bill, and came onstage when the assailant had been subdued, to ask, "Is that Will Smith?"
"My father, who was a comedian, used to advise me when I was in a school play, "Don't worry if the audience walks out on you. Just if they start coming toward you."
In March, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock before an audience of millions at the Oscars, after Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, his wife.
And this week, Dave Chappelle was tackled onstage at the Hollywood Bowl by a man with a knife inside a replica gun. Security guards chased down the attacker and pulled him offstage. The Los Angeles city attorney's office has filed charges.
Dave Chappelle has been criticized for transphobic jokes in his standup sets and Netflix specials. He returned to that theme after the Hollywood Bowl incident, joking that his attacker was a trans man.
Chris Rock also happened to be on the bill, and came onstage when the assailant had been subdued, to ask, "Is that Will Smith?"
Opinion: For comedians, safety is a growing concern
Posted from npr.org
Humor
Safety
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Excellent topic, however we live in a twisted society these days, in my view, PO1 William "Chip" Nagel... Gone are the days of fun, laughter, joking and all just to get a laugh out of life and indeed laugh at life... The likes of a Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, George Carlin, Richard Pryor. (No other performer courted controversy with comedy and courage like Richard Pryor did.), and here is a list of others whom we loved to hear spout their comedy and made us giggle and laugh boisterously:
Robin Williams! Lenny Bruce! Bill Cosby! Jerry Seinfeld! Don Rickles! Bob Newhart! Steve Martin! Jonathan Winters! Jonathan Winters! Joan Rivers! Rodney Dangerfield! Jay Leno! Foster Brooks, and the list goes on and on...
We cannot, seemingly, laugh anymore for fear of hurting someone's feelings! Now everything seems to be based on hate, distrust, fear and fear mongering... What in Hell has happened to us as fun loving people, who just want to enjoy life and just laugh at it sometimes...
I know I am rambling on, but just think back folks...it was not that long ago! It is time to change our ways and bring it all back again...
Kerry
Robin Williams! Lenny Bruce! Bill Cosby! Jerry Seinfeld! Don Rickles! Bob Newhart! Steve Martin! Jonathan Winters! Jonathan Winters! Joan Rivers! Rodney Dangerfield! Jay Leno! Foster Brooks, and the list goes on and on...
We cannot, seemingly, laugh anymore for fear of hurting someone's feelings! Now everything seems to be based on hate, distrust, fear and fear mongering... What in Hell has happened to us as fun loving people, who just want to enjoy life and just laugh at it sometimes...
I know I am rambling on, but just think back folks...it was not that long ago! It is time to change our ways and bring it all back again...
Kerry
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MSG Roy Cheever - That he did, but everyone knew that it was all in fun, laughed and accepted it! Nothing was taken seriously as it is in today's environment... Bring me back to the good ol' days! LOL!
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I was taught as a child here in America, you may do anything you want. As long as it is not against the law and it will hurt no one else. And stick and stones may break your bones words will never hurt me.
Perhaps Will Smith should have waited till after the show to tell Chris Rock of his displeasure. And then perhaps had a duel. Oh wait that was over a century ago. How bout a match in the ring.
In any case, when you are raised in a household with at least one responsible parent. And are taught responsibilities and respect. This will continue. And so what?
We care about a slap for what someone said about his wife?
But we don’t care about our elected officials. Lying, cheating and breaking the oaths they gave to us. Why, that is a much bigger slap in the face then Will Smith could ever do.
Perhaps your priorities are a little out of line.
But I do see you would like to correct injustice. So thank you.
Perhaps Will Smith should have waited till after the show to tell Chris Rock of his displeasure. And then perhaps had a duel. Oh wait that was over a century ago. How bout a match in the ring.
In any case, when you are raised in a household with at least one responsible parent. And are taught responsibilities and respect. This will continue. And so what?
We care about a slap for what someone said about his wife?
But we don’t care about our elected officials. Lying, cheating and breaking the oaths they gave to us. Why, that is a much bigger slap in the face then Will Smith could ever do.
Perhaps your priorities are a little out of line.
But I do see you would like to correct injustice. So thank you.
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