2008 Woodie Awards
Gay jokes mock people, but they are still ruling the airwaves
By: Brandon Wray
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Forum
Kimmel video: More than just good fun?
You probably have seen the video(s). If not, you absolutely have to because they are thefunniest, if lowbrow, videos I've seen in a long time.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel made a music video responding to his girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, who made a video that she was "f**cking Matt Damon."
Kimmel's response? He told her and Damon he was having an affair with Damon's pal Ben Affleck. The videos are all the rage on YouTube, and earn Kimmel and Silverman "People Magazine's" Funniest Couple Alive title.
I love comedy. I like Silverman, and Kimmel is growing on me. But as much as Kimmel's video had me laughing and hitting replay on my computer numerous times (and adding both to my MySpace page) I could not help but think of a few issues the video seemed to bring up.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade and make an overly big deal out of a joke by a comedian and an actor, but I was reminded of a classroom discussion I was involved earlier this semester.
We were talking about how to serve as counselors to gay clients. The incredible speaker, a University professor, fielded all questions and talked openly about her experiences as a lesbian and teacher.
I am an extremely tolerant, gay-friendly, open-minded, liberal, heterosexual male who has had limited experiences with real-life gay people, so I asked a few off-the-wall questions, including what was so funny about gays to so many people. Also, was I wrong to laugh at, and somewhat participate in, a recent breakfast conversation with coworkers that consisted of nothing but gay sex jokes for about two hours?
I asked why it seemed to still be all right to make jokes about gays when you could never so blatantly make fun of minorities or women without being labeled racist or sexist. Somehow, homophobic did not seem to be such a bad label.
As an avid late-night TV watcher, the gay jokes are common - just ask Sen. Larry Craig, George Michael or Elton John. Or just think back to when there were all of the gay cowboy jokes about "Brokeback Mountain" - one of my all-time favorite movies.
You probably have seen the video(s). If not, you absolutely have to because they are thefunniest, if lowbrow, videos I've seen in a long time.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel made a music video responding to his girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, who made a video that she was "f**cking Matt Damon."
Kimmel's response? He told her and Damon he was having an affair with Damon's pal Ben Affleck. The videos are all the rage on YouTube, and earn Kimmel and Silverman "People Magazine's" Funniest Couple Alive title.
I love comedy. I like Silverman, and Kimmel is growing on me. But as much as Kimmel's video had me laughing and hitting replay on my computer numerous times (and adding both to my MySpace page) I could not help but think of a few issues the video seemed to bring up.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade and make an overly big deal out of a joke by a comedian and an actor, but I was reminded of a classroom discussion I was involved earlier this semester.
We were talking about how to serve as counselors to gay clients. The incredible speaker, a University professor, fielded all questions and talked openly about her experiences as a lesbian and teacher.
I am an extremely tolerant, gay-friendly, open-minded, liberal, heterosexual male who has had limited experiences with real-life gay people, so I asked a few off-the-wall questions, including what was so funny about gays to so many people. Also, was I wrong to laugh at, and somewhat participate in, a recent breakfast conversation with coworkers that consisted of nothing but gay sex jokes for about two hours?
I asked why it seemed to still be all right to make jokes about gays when you could never so blatantly make fun of minorities or women without being labeled racist or sexist. Somehow, homophobic did not seem to be such a bad label.
As an avid late-night TV watcher, the gay jokes are common - just ask Sen. Larry Craig, George Michael or Elton John. Or just think back to when there were all of the gay cowboy jokes about "Brokeback Mountain" - one of my all-time favorite movies.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
achettali
posted 3/11/08 @ 3:29 AM EST
nothing
errol
posted 3/11/08 @ 7:50 AM EST
Thursday, March 27, 2008
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Olscamp Hall Room # 221
Silenced? : Speaking Up for Change at BGSU
presented by the BGSU Progressive Coalition and the Committee Advancing
Racial Equality/CARE
Have you ever felt silenced at BGSU? Do you feel there are
issues which are swept under the rug and not discussed? Are
you ready to break the silence?
Please join us for an illuminating and invigorating discussion
of hot-button issues at BGSU. (Continued…)
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