Why do comedians use so much obscenities in their acts?
By Qaeyious
@Qaeyious (2357)
United States
December 5, 2010 3:08am CST
Is it really necessary? Their material would draw so incredibly fewer laughs that they will quickly go into obscurity?
I saw a Robin Williams routine from 1978. Absolutely clean. Today he says "phyk" (please use your imagination) and similar derivatives dozens of times a minute. Jeff Dunham is a little better, my favorite ventriloquist currently, though some of his dolls also use similar terms relatively liberally.
Is it absolutely necessary to use these things professionally? I tell jokes on occasion that make many people laugh, and I don't have to resort to such vulgarity. Like a couple were complaining about looking up some property that was discounted. The other homes in the area were in the $200K range, while this one was closer to $100K. They went to look at it and saw yellow tape all around it - it was about to fall off a cliff that was its backyard.
I said, "That's still awfully steep for a mobile home."
(For those of you in other cultures, a "mobile home" is basically a vehicle you drive around with living room, bedroom, kitchen, and most even have a bathroom with a shower.)
How many of you don't find that funny? Is it because I didn't use vulgarities that most popular comedians are using now?
2 people like this
7 responses
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
5 Dec 10
Comedians probably think if their acts are too clean and family oriented , they will lose viewers. They may think they need to talk more adult to get a bigger audience. If a comedian is really funny, they don't need to use obscenities to get our attention.1 person likes this
@isnowwolf (4)
•
6 Dec 10
They not only use obscenities but anything which is popular with the people recently to attract their attention.But if you compare someone skillful in making fun with others,you will see what is a real advanced comedian.
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
I think comedienne used unpleasant words like that because they are trying to put some humor in their funny lines however people were different and they don't have the same interpretation to every given words uttered by the comedy people. But we have some comedienne artist here locally who seldom used obscenities in their acts.
I guess those people who can act in a clean way bot in speech and actions are far more excellent comedienne than those who used words like that. If you try to make some people laugh better do it in a clean and funny way.
1 person likes this
@emarie (5442)
• United States
6 Dec 10
It all depends on taste. I've listened to 'clean' comedy and 'dirty' comedy. But comedy is supposed to depict life in a way and sometimes life is not always G rated. Jeff Dunham is amazing, but the guy isn't clean. And if you're talking about swearing, there are so many comics who do without it.
In comedy as well, there are different types. I know shock comics go to the extreme and that is where you find more of the vulgar acts. Carlos Menica doesn't swear all that much and most of his comedy is ethnic related.
Jay Leno, Connan O'Brian, Jimmy Fallon, all good comics in their own right, but the thing you can learn from them is comedy is not ONLY about the content but the delivery. You can make a clean joke funny if delivered properly.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
5 Dec 10
I think it is American culture, polluting the world with its foul mouthed, rude people. That is not to say that all Americans are foul mouthed and rude only that is their culture
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
5 Dec 10
It was ok but not funny to me I'm afraid. Here in America most of the funny and famous look up to a king of comedy, Richard Pryor. he used the "F" word Al the time. Not only did you use it but he talked about " doing it" if you know what I mean! It is raunchy and hilarious! Along the same time or a little earlier Bill Cosby did his bit with out using Any curse words. He is equally funny. Comedy is a matter of taste. There is a comedian for every taste! For me , give me Richard Pryor, Young Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Sam Kinison, and The Andrew " Dice" Clay. I list them here so you can avoid them , Especially The Diceman. He would Truly offend you!
1 person likes this
@Radevel (3)
• United States
5 Dec 10
Comedians use those words and expressions because they, like just about anything else, can be funny in the correct context. If an obscenity helps to make a joke funny (and they do, in many cases), then it would be unwise for a comedian to leave such a thing out of his or her act.
Walking on eggshells so as to avoid the barest possibility of offending some thin-skinned person is the best way to suck the humor out of anything. The comedian's only responsibility is to be funny. If you don't like "obscenities," then don't watch comedy acts that employ them. There are plenty of clean acts out there.
You can watch Sinbad if you want. I'll be laughing my head off at Lewis Black and Chris Rock.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
14 Dec 10
I don't think Robin Williams is going to help out your argument much.
