Actually, jesters served an important function. Among all the careerists and flatterers surrounding the monarch, the jester was the one member of the court authorized to "speak truth to power"; they just had to make it funny. Certain lines were not to be crossed, of course, but jesters knew where they were. The boy who cried, "The Emperor has no clothes!" was last seen about midnight that night being escorted out of the house and into a black sedan by two burly men in knee length black leather trenchcoats.
I think U.S. Presidents, indeed all heads of government, should have a jester. One might tap the brakes on the more outlandish proposals they're presented with. Or come up with on their own.
It feels as if these people are doing everything they can to ensure that any release valves remain tightly shut. The British are prone to violence and dark humour, the latter prevents the former. Between the two tier justice system and censorship, it's inevitable that something ugly is brewing, to which these people will say "I told you so" and blame the comedians. We keep dodging bullets then pretending a shot hasn't been fired. It's clear that these people are incapable of introspection, empathy or basic common sense, which is probably why they don't get comedy.
When I watch comedy on TV, I feel like I've inadvertently stumbled into a school play where parents are oblivious to their little darlings lack of talent and insist on cheering them on anyway.
The jokes often have all the sophistication, but none of the camaraderie, of teenage boys talking about bodily functions and the default position seems to be to try to make people laugh out of embarrassment not because they find something genuinely funny.
Yes I am aware this does make me sound like Mary Whitehouse.
Good luck with your tour (let's see if the hate monster makes an appearance again) and I remain mystified that nobody in these online mobs googles "The Streisand Effect".
Sorry, on a side line you've made me recall attending a childrens' play many years ago where one young lad strode to the front of the stage and confidently stated: "So much time and so little to do."
Unable to contain themselves, all the parents burst out laughing.
The young lad looked delighted - " Gosh, I didn't know it was a funny line!"
Hear, hear! Nica Burns’s statement alone could be the stuff of a fine comedy routine: “For the first time ever, we have a Best Comedy Show shortlist where male-identifying comedians are in the minority with representation across gender and sexuality spectrum.” What do these words even mean?!
Comedy makes us laugh at ourselves. Faulty Towers was so successful because it poked ridicule at our own behaviour. What these bans really illustrate is the frailty of the transgender movement. Good luck with your tour!
I expected a rant - fully justified - but this is a reasoned and sensible response to the small-minded potential tropical fish shop owners. I went to the Edinburgh Fringe last year, but after your problems I declined the opportunity this year. I hope the Irish tour sells out.
Nothing more dangerous to authoritarians than a court jester pointing out the emperor is naked.
Great to hear you found a bigger venue though. It will be a success!
Actually, jesters served an important function. Among all the careerists and flatterers surrounding the monarch, the jester was the one member of the court authorized to "speak truth to power"; they just had to make it funny. Certain lines were not to be crossed, of course, but jesters knew where they were. The boy who cried, "The Emperor has no clothes!" was last seen about midnight that night being escorted out of the house and into a black sedan by two burly men in knee length black leather trenchcoats.
I think U.S. Presidents, indeed all heads of government, should have a jester. One might tap the brakes on the more outlandish proposals they're presented with. Or come up with on their own.
All this has made me feel something I did not want, as a lifelong lefty liberal, to feel: contempt for people’s utter stupidity.
I'm impressed it's taken you your whole life. I feel this way whenever I try to get a NHS appointment.
It feels as if these people are doing everything they can to ensure that any release valves remain tightly shut. The British are prone to violence and dark humour, the latter prevents the former. Between the two tier justice system and censorship, it's inevitable that something ugly is brewing, to which these people will say "I told you so" and blame the comedians. We keep dodging bullets then pretending a shot hasn't been fired. It's clear that these people are incapable of introspection, empathy or basic common sense, which is probably why they don't get comedy.
When I watch comedy on TV, I feel like I've inadvertently stumbled into a school play where parents are oblivious to their little darlings lack of talent and insist on cheering them on anyway.
The jokes often have all the sophistication, but none of the camaraderie, of teenage boys talking about bodily functions and the default position seems to be to try to make people laugh out of embarrassment not because they find something genuinely funny.
Yes I am aware this does make me sound like Mary Whitehouse.
Good luck with your tour (let's see if the hate monster makes an appearance again) and I remain mystified that nobody in these online mobs googles "The Streisand Effect".
Excellent comment
Thank you AJ ❤️
Sorry, on a side line you've made me recall attending a childrens' play many years ago where one young lad strode to the front of the stage and confidently stated: "So much time and so little to do."
Unable to contain themselves, all the parents burst out laughing.
The young lad looked delighted - " Gosh, I didn't know it was a funny line!"
Dusty
Hear, hear! Nica Burns’s statement alone could be the stuff of a fine comedy routine: “For the first time ever, we have a Best Comedy Show shortlist where male-identifying comedians are in the minority with representation across gender and sexuality spectrum.” What do these words even mean?!
It’s the stuff of parody.
Comedy makes us laugh at ourselves. Faulty Towers was so successful because it poked ridicule at our own behaviour. What these bans really illustrate is the frailty of the transgender movement. Good luck with your tour!
I expected a rant - fully justified - but this is a reasoned and sensible response to the small-minded potential tropical fish shop owners. I went to the Edinburgh Fringe last year, but after your problems I declined the opportunity this year. I hope the Irish tour sells out.
I find Oasis really offensive. Maybe I should start a campaign........ only joking ........... Possibly, Maybe
They're white blokes! How dare they be allowed to perform!
Well said. Keep fighting the good fight! So much comedy in the States fits the politically correct mold you describe.
BTW. Typo in the last sentence. You left out the word "want."
Thanks! Have now corrected.
I’d come! But I live in Australia. I hope it’s a huge success.
Thankfully Australians still seems to have a sense of humour in spite of all the activist bs...
It’s pretty bad here too.
I just did an Aussie special 😊
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/cool-hand-luke
Dusty
Hi Andrew
How did so many venues become spineless!! Glad you found an alternative.
Comedy is on the front line of free speech especially when faced with this authoritarian government!
Have cross posted
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/one-ring-to-rule-them-all
Dusty