Posted on 04/23/2021 6:54:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Humor has always been one of the first targets of a dictatorship. It is no surprise that in America, comedians can no longer function because of rampant political correctness. Thus, according to Mel Brooks, "we have become stupidly politically correct, which is the death of comedy. Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks." Comedian Gilbert Gottfried says:
Imagine if the most brilliant comedians in history were working today. They'd never stop apologizing. Charlie Chaplin would have to apologize to all the homeless people he belittled with his Little Tramp character.
Irony abounded in the black humor that described life under communism.
A farm worker greets Josef Stalin at his potato farm.
"Comrade Stalin, we have so many potatoes that, piled one on top of the other, they would reach all the way to God," the farmer excitedly tells his leader.
"But God does not exist," replies Stalin.
"Exactly," says the farmer. "Neither do the potatoes."
After the death of Stalin, jokes were one way people could regain their sanity in a world gone mad under communism. One joke that made the rounds went like this:
The regional KGB headquarters in Arkhangelsk suffered a major fire and was almost completely destroyed. Shortly after, a man called looking for help.
"I'm sorry, we can't do anything," said the receptionist. "The KGB has burnt down."
Five minutes later, the receptionist received another call.
"I'm sorry, we can't help. The KGB has burnt down."
Another five minutes passed, and the phone rang again. The receptionist recognized the voice as the man who'd twice called previously.
"Why do you keep calling? I told you that the KGB has burnt down."
"I know. I just like hearing it."
According to the article titled "Laughter in the Dark: Humor under Stalin" by Iain Lauchlan, "comedy, it appears, [is] the first casualty of class war."
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Absolutely. And not just comedy, but honesty. Everyone today is walking on eggshells afraid to use a wrong word because he will immediately get his ass canned and be declared a leper.
Well, Gilbert, it’s YOUR SIDE, YOUR ILK, that is behind all this destroying of comedy, and don’t tell me you don’t know that!!!! But you’re just gonna pretend it’s “the other side” doing it!!!!
“Even the mildest off color joke brought ...”
You mean politically correct, don’t you, not dirty jokes.
I dislike dirty jokes that are broadcast to audiences with children. Once upon a time there were funny clean jokes. Here’s one:
Recently married man says “I’ve found out what true bliss is, but it’s too late now”.
I used to watch comedians on HBO. I laughed my head off at Buddy Hacket, Red Fox, among others, and George Carlin, before he became politically correct. I recently watched George Carlin’s last routine before he died. There was nothing funny, and there was no laughter from the crowd. Just some applause when he said something critical of America and Republicans.
About two or three years ago, my wife and I went to see Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. They were hilarious, and my wife was laughing so hard at Larry the Cable Guy, she couldn’t sit up straight. I’ve never seen her laugh so hard.
We have gone full cycle when it comes to comedians doing college tours. In my day in the sixties and seventies, colleges were a favorite of edgy comedians. The only sounds you heard coming from the audience was laughter. Now, ALL comedians avoid colleges like the plague. No one needs that aggravation of narrow minded people unable to transcend their drama queen virtue signaling shouting them down
>>You mean politically correct, don’t you, not dirty jokes.<<
Yes, but sexual jokes when kept in the proper forum such as the old (now dead) college circuit or on a special on PPV where parents are SUPPOSED to exclude children are perfectly OK.
And the line is gard to draw. Consider:
“The other day I got in a taxi and asked him to take me to where the action is. He took me to my house.”
“My wife. She got mad at me and cut me off to just twice a week. Could be worse, I know two guys she cut off completely.”
Both hilarious, both Dangerfield on Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Great scene.
I will say hands down, nobody did the “Aristocrats” joke better than Gilbert.
I could just imagine if a kid who knew him as the voice of Iago in Aladdin, would hear that one.
“Both hilarious, both Dangerfield on T .....”
Both subtle enough to go right by most kids (back then anyway). Not a sharp line.
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