17.07.2016
HUFFPOST UK - THE BLOG (Online)
Getting Touchy: Reg D Hunter and Offensive Comcdy - Part 1
The idea of what's acceptable to say onstage or in any other public arena, particularly in the name of comedy, is unclear. The public consensus seems to constantly waver between a belief in free speech for all and being as politically correct as humanly possible.
'My friend recently told me he wanted to live his life as a woman.'
That, although I paraphrase for the sake of simplicity, was the opening to one of Reg D Hunter's jokes at his recent show at the Hammersmith Apollo. The punchline following this could have been chosen from a myriad of possibilities. Hunter's known for being a pretty intelligent guy, who uses the stage as a place to philosophize and debate, so there was every chance he could have been about to deliver a unique point of view on what is a current hot topic -being transgender- whether that be negative or positive. Surprisingly though he didn't. 'Well if being an average looking man isn't making you happy, then maybe being an ugly woman will'. Whether you find his punchline funny or not (I'd say it was 50:50 on the night) it wasn't in any way Reg D Hunter, live at the Apollo, £25 a ticket material. It was unoriginal and, let's face it, pretty cheap.
The idea of what's acceptable to say onstage or in any other public arena, particularly in the name of comedy, is unclear. The public consensus seems to constantly waver between a belief in free speech for all and being as politically correct as humanly possible. These two are obviously mutually exclusive. But more and more often nowadays people demand apologies, retractions and censorship for those who cross what they consider to be a boundary. Is it a simple case of 'get a sense of humour love' or is there actually something to discuss here?
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Make it stand out.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Make it stand out.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.