[Marsh.]

I don't think disabilities being portrayed on TV are what kizzy's problem is Ammi. It's the chances of them being put there for ridicule, to be laughed at.

Not saying this is true of Gervais, like I said earlier I'll watch before making comment.

[Locke.]

Originally Posted by kizzy

From the man who labelled Susan Boyle a mong

He's a bit hit and miss for me, but that did get a laugh

[Ammi]

..yeah I see that..as you say..first thing to do is watch it..and then isn't it more up to the disabled to decide if they think they are being ridiculed..if a large number of disabled compained..were outraged..that's the time to address it

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Locke.

He's a bit hit and miss for me, but that did get a laugh

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yeah I see that..as you say..first thing to do is watch it..and then isn't it more up to the disabled to decide if they think they are being ridiculed..if a large number of disabled compained..were outraged..that's the time to address it

I wouldn't think so. If someone is being ridiculed, and if Gervais does that in this show, then I would think it would be blatantly obvious to everyone that it is the case. You don't need someone disabled to say "I categorically deduce he is making fun of me and people like me".

Take Frankie Boyle's comments about Harvey, you don't need to have any of his conditions to know that he used the kid to get a laugh, and to ridicule him.

[Livia]

There are a lot of "ifs" in there.

Where are all the people bleating on about free speech? I hate that people think comedy should be censored. This programme hasn't even aired yet and already there are people worrying about it and feeling bad on other people's behalf! Most disabled people don't need someone else to do their thinking and their feeling.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Comedy doesn't and should never have any boundaries...because it's simply just that, comedy. There is a discernible between satire and jokes, and remarks made with malicious intent, and I find it odd how some people can so easily confuse the two.

Ricky's shows are about mocking stereotypes, tearing them apart and just being generally satirical. If you don't understand satire, then it's offensive, but if you do, it's not.

And this is coming from someone who is pretty indifferent towards him. I might give this show a chance though.

I agree with this.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I don't really find Ricky very funny anymore..I liked 'The Office' and 'Extras'..I don't know if it's me or whether his comedy has changed..
..I saw a trailer for this..and it didn't look anything special..I like Karl Pilkington so I'll give it a try
..I don't see the point in complaining about prejudice..when it hasn't been aired yet..when you think about it..disabilities are raised in lots of ways on TV..dramas..documentaries..etc..and comedy is just a different form..it all brings awareness and that's good..if it's not funny I wont watch..as to whether it offends..well I can't say without watching it
...After actually giving it a few weeks to see what it's like..maybe do a survey of disabled people..and ask them if they are offended..rather than assume things on their behalf

I did not assume anything....
I only asked for opinions based on the concept of the show, and the comments made in the article in the OP.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yeah I see that..as you say..first thing to do is watch it..and then isn't it more up to the disabled to decide if they think they are being ridiculed..if a large number of disabled compained..were outraged..that's the time to address it

No, It doesen't work like that.
As with all prejudice its not for the abused to speak out its for the rest of society to say 'that is unacceptable'.

What a mongy thread.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Livia

There are a lot of "ifs" in there.

Where are all the people bleating on about free speech? I hate that people think comedy should be censored. This programme hasn't even aired yet and already there are people worrying about it and feeling bad on other people's behalf! Most disabled people don't need someone else to do their thinking and their feeling.

Why?...If It is being used to ridicule a section of our 'civilised' society then it is wrong.
Do you have any evidence to support this? Who are these 'most' disabled people?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

What a mongy thread.

You know for a clever person you can say some silly things....

[Marsh.]

I'll use the Frankie Boyle example again. Should he have been allowed to get away with his ridicule of Harvey? Because Harvey himself is most likely unaware of what was said and not really "affected" should Boyle have been allowed to make the "jokes" he did and make that child the centre of attention for being laughed at? I don't think so.

I compare that kind of thing to Jeremy Kyle, he acts high and mighty that he's doing a "service" and helping people through the problems yet all the guests he has on the show are just there to be laughed at, hissed at, screamed at and just treated like crap.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

I'll use the Frankie Boyle example again. Should he have been allowed to get away with his ridicule of Harvey? Because Harvey himself is most likely unaware of what was said and not really "affected" should Boyle have been allowed to make the "jokes" he did and make that child the centre of attention for being laughed at? I don't think so.

I compare that kind of thing to Jeremy Kyle, he acts high and mighty that he's doing a "service" and helping people through the problems yet all the guests he has on the show are just there to be laughed at, hissed at, screamed at and just treated like crap.

I don't agree with what Frankie Boyle did to Harvey at all, and I don't think he should have gotten away with it. I do think a line needs to be drawn somewhere.

Obviously as I haven't actually seen this show yet it's hard to comment on whether or not it crosses that line but by the sounds of it, it is more taking the piss out of people reacting to the main character rather than he himself

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I don't agree with what Frankie Boyle did to Harvey at all, and I don't think he should have gotten away with it. I do think a line needs to be drawn somewhere.

Obviously as I haven't actually seen this show yet it's hard to comment on whether or not it crosses that line but by the sounds of it, it is more taking the piss out of people reacting to the main character rather than he himself

Agreed. That was my point, I don't agree with all the people saying comedy shouldn't have boundaries. When, really, everything has a line you shouldn't cross.

I don't know whether to watch the show or not though because Gervais in general doesn't make me laugh.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

Agreed. That was my point, I don't agree with all the people saying comedy shouldn't have boundaries. When, really, everything has a line you shouldn't cross.

I don't know whether to watch the show or not though because Gervais in general doesn't make me laugh.

I quite like him but I'll definitely have to give it a watch out of curiosity now!

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I don't agree with what Frankie Boyle did to Harvey at all, and I don't think he should have gotten away with it. I do think a line needs to be drawn somewhere.

Obviously as I haven't actually seen this show yet it's hard to comment on whether or not it crosses that line but by the sounds of it, it is more taking the piss out of people reacting to the main character rather than he himself

Then it's not free speech then isn't it? There's no half and half you either have the freedom of speech or you don't.

I couldn't give a **** about with Frankie Boyle or Ricky Gervais, I just feel that people who kick up such a fuss about such insignificant things are in desperate need of sorting out their priorities.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by kizzy

Why?...If It is being used to ridicule a section of our 'civilised' society then it is wrong.
Do you have any evidence to support this? Who are these 'most' disabled people?

It's a little rich you asking ME for evidence, when you're basing your whole opinion and your moral outrage on a show that hasn't even been aired yet.

Originally Posted by kizzy

You know for a clever person you can say some silly things....

Because there is a difference between being clever, and having a stick continually wedged up your arse about every little thing. An ability to poke fun at people and situations, doesn't detract from intelligence.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

I wouldn't think so. If someone is being ridiculed, and if Gervais does that in this show, then I would think it would be blatantly obvious to everyone that it is the case. You don't need someone disabled to say "I categorically deduce he is making fun of me and people like me".

Take Frankie Boyle's comments about Harvey, you don't need to have any of his conditions to know that he used the kid to get a laugh, and to ridicule him.

I can only speak for the disabled people I have spent time with..and none object or take offence at this type of humour in general..in fact they say much worse themselves..so I don't presume to decide for them.. Imo disabled people are much more qualified than anyone to say where the line..if there is one..has been crossed

Having said that..no one abled or disabled can say whether Ricky Gervais has crossed any lines or offended anyone until the programme has actually being aired..I wasn't actually going to watch it..I'm not a huge fan..I think I'll watch the first one though

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Then it's not free speech then isn't it? There's no half and half you either have the freedom of speech or you don't.

I couldn't give a **** about with Frankie Boyle or Ricky Gervais, I just feel that people who kick up such a fuss about such insignificant things are in desperate need of sorting out their priorities.

The line has to be drawn between making a joke that certain people can laugh with together and singling people out to be laughed AT. It's a fine line but very different.
And when it comes to that there most certainly needs to be boundaries.

When a disabled child is laughed at, and people say he "****s his mother" then I say ******* "free" speech.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Then it's not free speech then isn't it? There's no half and half you either have the freedom of speech or you don't.

I couldn't give a **** about with Frankie Boyle or Ricky Gervais, I just feel that people who kick up such a fuss about such insignificant things are in desperate need of sorting out their priorities.

Well, the example Marsh gave about Harvey I think over steps a mark, it's become personal and taking the piss out of a disabled child personally is wrong and bang out of order imo. If that damages Frankie Boyles right to Free Speech then I couldn't care less to be quite honest, somethings are more important.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Well, the example Marsh gave about Harvey I think over steps a mark, it's become personal and taking the piss out of a disabled child personally is wrong and bang out of order imo. If that damages Frankie Boyles right to Free Speech then I couldn't care less to be quite honest, somethings are more important.

I didn't actually see the Frankie Boyle thing..or know exactly what was said..but it seems that it was personal..a specific child..and also the fact that it was a child..who is classed as 'vulnerable'..I mean children in general are vulnerable

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

I didn't actually see the Frankie Boyle thing..or know exactly what was said..but it seems that it was personal..a specific child..and also the fact that it was a child..who is classed as 'vulnerable'..I mean children in general are vulnerable

I didn't see it either but it was something along the lines of him ****ing his mother

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I didn't see it either but it was something along the lines of him ****ing his mother

Hmmmmm..not really a lot I can say to that..I don't like Frankie Boyle anyway