5 Feet of Fury

‘Many comedians earn their pay by being offensive, so deal with it’

Anthony Furey writes:

For those who like to laugh or make others laugh, the early 21st century will likely be remembered as comedy’s Dark Ages. (…)

I’m concerned our public response to such gags risks turning us into the very places we say we’re not: Liberty-restricting countries like Iran.

When comedian Guy Earle was hauled before the B.C. Human Rights Commission for making crude lesbian jokes in a venue that — the sandwich board outside announced — guaranteed offensive humour, Canada crossed that line. (…)

Muslims tend to fall into the worst comedy category: They can dish it out but they can’t take it.

For every Guy Earle we haul before a commission we’re one step closer to being like Egypt or Iran.