Offensive, over-the-top, and unnecessary jokes are what have built stand-up comedy into what it is today. However, many comedians struggle to grasp where the line should be drawn.
As society evolves decade by decade, the media has become much more in touch with social issues. Comedians must adapt their material accordingly if they want their careers to be safe. While some may argue that cancel culture has gone too far, it is important to remember that humor does not have to come at the expense of others.
Many comedians write problematic jokes in hopes of getting a reaction out of their audience, but when their jokes do not land with the crowd, their witty remarks are quickly regretted.
“joke” after “joke,” the Golden Globes audiences winced at every word that came out of host Jo Koy’s mouth. After a long night of Koy sexualizing women and completely missing social cues, he was ridiculed on social media, leading to a large amount of criticism of his career.
“Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies; the key moment in Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet. Or what casting directors call character actor!” Koy stated at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards.
At the obvious signs that Koy’s jokes were not landing with the celebrity-filled audience, he quickly shifted the blame onto his writers. This was a clear indication that his inappropriate humor failed to resonate as intended.
With the current climate of the world, it is easy for a single joke to tarnish a comedian’s entire reputation. Many comedians find ways to walk the unspoken line that society has created.
The popular comedian, Matt Rife, who gained a large following through social media has recently faced criticism for his usage of taking serious issues and turning them into a laughing matter.
“Just testing the waters, seeing if y’all are gonna be fun or not…I figure if we start the show with domestic violence, the rest of the show should be smooth sailing” were Rife’s opening words for his Netflix special Natural Selection.
After dropping jokes that range from domestic violence to racism, it seems unlikely that his career will be able to recover from this backlash.
While the point of stand-up comedy is to push boundaries, it is key that comedians recognize the impact of their words. Since it is a competitive industry, comedians must uphold a healthy balance between being entertaining and still remaining respectful toward their audience.
