My initial reaction to the show was pretty much the same as it has been for the past two years: It’s not funny, the jokes are lazy and I did not have a good time. That’s fine. I know a lot of people LOVE the show to death and there’s a big difference between finding a show unfunny and finding a show homophobic. Because I didn’t care for the show much, I didn’t put in a whole lot of critical effort in my review of the event. If you liked the show last year, I figure you liked the show this year.
At some point in the last couple of weeks I heard some rumblings about the offensive nature of the show. I didn’t think much of it because, well, the show is offensive. That’s the point. They make off-color jokes that are supposed to offend people. So I didn’t think much about it until Twitter nearly combusted today as theme park sites and bloggers found out the show had been cancelled.
Phrases like “faux outrage” and “political correctness” and “you’ve never seen the show” and “context” were bandied about like play things. I get it. People are upset because a show they like is being taken away from them and it’s being taken away (in their minds) by people who have never and will never visit Halloween Horror Nights. They might be right. I think they’re missing the point.
Part of what makes off-color humor work is that comedians (usually) attack groups in power. There’s a reason that making jokes about machismo and white people go over better than making jokes about minorities: It’s not funny to make fun of marginalized groups. Now, that’s my opinion on comedy and it is obviously not shared by everyone. But to say that outrage over a homophobic joke is fake or otherwise invalid is, in my mind, kind of disgusting.
Beyond that, it’s one thing to make the joke about a group that is routinely humiliated (and still not treated as equal human beings in over half of this country, you know), and it’s another to say that their feelings — or feelings on their behalf don’t even matter. As a sports writer (I can’t go to theme parks EVERY weekend) this debate reminds me a lot of what’s happening over the name of Washington DC's NFL team right now. The rationale seems to be: The majority of Americans don’t find the name offensive; therefore, everyone who is offended is wrong. [Editor's note: Jacob wrote the name of the team, but I don't want it on the website, which shows you where I come down on that issue. - Robert]
Where that crowd gets it wrong is its belief that this is some sort of a democracy. This is not a case of “majority rules” -- this is a case where if a group is being marginalized and offended, they’re the ones we should all be answering to. I’m not gay and I do not pretend to speak for gay people in any capacity, but if there are people offended by the content of the show, that means something.
Now that’s all well and good, but it is fair to note that the context and content of the show is heavily advertised to prospective viewers. You WILL be offended and if you are easily offended DON’T WATCH is the message given before the show (paraphrasing, but you get the idea). So the comparison is made to an R-rated movie where people ostensibly don’t complain about the content because it’s known that it is created for adults.
That assumes, of course, that homophobia, racism and sexism are R-rated events that are strictly created for adults. The problem with that line of thinking is twofold: First of all, homophobia isn’t the same as gore, sex and violence. Secondly, the idea that homophobia is okay because it’s within the context of an adult event is silly. I would argue that given the context of where this country is in terms of treating gay people like human beings that the jokes are at best lazy and at worst offensive.
My point in all of this isn’t that the show was abjectly disgusting and offensive — far from it. My point is that all of these jokes happen in the wider context of our social construct. Not all jokes intended-to-offend are created equal. So while many may disagree with Universal’s decision to cancel the show, I think it’s important to show a degree of sensitivity towards the groups being targeted and to treat this issue the way it is: complicated. Spending more than five minutes thinking about the situation might lead to cooler heads and better understanding prevailing.
Update: Universal Orlando just posted to Twitter that its Bill & Ted show uses a different script and the Orlando version of the show will continue as scheduled.
Tweet
Would that same person say it is okay to make fun of the stereotype of a mentally disabled person, as long as they weren't making fun of a specific mentally disabled person? I certainly hope not.
People are entitled to their opinions, however hateful they may be, but I just wanted to be one who expresses my appreciation to someone who has the guts to write an article like the one Jacob wrote. Score another point for Theme Park Insider and the outstanding people who write for it.
Anyway, didn't want to suggest I had an opinion about the specific show, which I have never seen.
Also, this NFL thing is getting a bit ridiculous. I'm not sure why now it magically became an issue. Not writing it is not helping either..
I think I can guess where Mr Reichley stands politically....
Oh, and congratulations Jacob on a thoughtful and well-argued article.
I respect peoples opinions - even this guy. I have a difficult time even understanding how anyone can hold an opinion of the nature of the show they have not seen.
I believe that Universal made a mistake in pulling the show from HHN.
I can laugh at myself as much as the next guy, actually being gay, I have to be able to handle of that than most, even today. But I was surprised how nervous and offended I was surrounded on those bleachers by screaming guffawing, straight kids. I have to note that, my friend, also gay, was less offended than I was.
For perspective, I am not some crazy politically correct teetotaler without a sense of humor. I like comedy, even offensive comedy. Lisa Lampinelli, for example, is hysterical when she makes fun of gays, partially because she makes fun of everyone and she does so with irony.
The Bill and Ted's show was simply gay bashing.
Not commenting directly on the content of the show (because I haven't seen it) but I do have another zany observation!!!
The fact that it was a "comedy show" that was deemed offensive & pulled from horror nights is kinda thought provoking, in a twilight zone kinda way.
Extreme violence, death, gruesome images, killings, etc. are all over the place.
I'm not saying that if the show was offensive it shouldn't have been addressed....I'm just commenting on how, in a park where all those other things are taking place, it was a show that caused the scandal !!
Because, TECHNICALLY, all of horror nights can be deemed inappropriate.
Welcome to the entertainment industry: you're show gets cancelled, you're out of a job. That's the life you live if you want to be an actor, writer, producer, ect.
There's a good chance WB/DC sent a cease and desists or threatened a lawsuit especially since the show has gained so much negative attention.
DC sent the Orlando show a cease and desist when they used Lex Luther as the villain in 2006.
I still feel bad when 30 plus people lose their jobs because of the opinion of one person. I feel bad when any group of people in any industry lose their job suddenly.
Offensive comedy is expected. It is strange that people define what can or cannot be offensive. Lately, there has been a rash offensive gay humor that was called out against major comedians. Often time, the critics/silencers call them ignorant. I wonder if that isn't the point. The nature of humor is to create a strawman and attack it. They create a caricature or stereotype and then elevate the insults to a new level. That's the way it works. If you don't like the stereotype, then I guess... here's another one.
These days, it is perfectly fine to insult white men and Christians, but you can't say anything about any other perceived minority.
Comedy is no longer funny. It turned into a bland fest of safe comedy that insults no one, but maybe another joke about the Kardashians isn't so bad. We can't allow Obama jokes though or its racist.
People in this world need to get a grip. I would say they should just stop being offended by things, but I don't think it's that simple. People need to start taking care of, and worrying about themselves, and not what other people think or say about them. Our society has turned into one that can't even laugh at itself for its differences or idosyncrasies. Stereotypes are never going away since they are a part of human nature, and how we relate to one another. Comedy, in particular, is always going to go right up to the edge, and sometimes over, to elicit laughs. What is different between people is often funny, even to the group being made fun of, and jokes around stereotypes have been around for centuries, and will continue to propogate as long as our species continues to embrace our diversity. If we stop identifying and making fun of our differences, this world will be a seriously boring place.
In the end, people just need to lighten up, and as the famous philosopher M. Python said, "always look on the bright side of life".
Disney never feels any need to take jabs at Universal like that. Universal has an inferiority complex and I guess they need to blow farts at Disney to feel better about themselves.
Too bad they can't just celebrate their own brands and not even pay Disney any mind.
Jacob; excellent and thoughtful article with a lot of good points.
Humor, as a complex art form is used to entertain, but it is also used to shape society. When used properly, it can take off the rough edges and gently chide people to modify their behavior to conform more acceptably with the mainstream. When used improperly, it can incite and encourage unacceptable behavior from certain parts of society. The rules are complex. For example, black comedians are given more latitude when making jokes about black society just as the Blue Collar Comedy Tour can take potshots at rednecks, but the opposite is not true. It is okay for Eddie Murphy to make fun of Jessie Jackson's mustache, but it would seem hateful if Larry the Cable guy tried the same thing.
Within a limited area, it is permissible for all comedians regardless of their stripe, to make fun of the stereotypes in society, but the usage has to be within the context of the performer, the venue, and the audience. Cross the line too far (which is a subjective definition) and the performer has gone from humor to hate.
Open season with attack humor on the groups in power is also debatable. As a WASP male, I'm deeply offended by shows that portray men and fathers as bumbling idiots. I'm also offended by use of the F-bomb and GD. I tend not to watch TV shows that stereotype men in this way, and I'm selective about the comedians that I listen to, but I also believe that society as a whole is affected in a negative way when groups who are perceived to be in power are openly attacked with offensive humor. However, the definition of offensive is subjective.
On a different note: Robert, I will no longer use "Washington DC's NFL team" potatoes in my potato salad. The very sight of them is offensive, and I resolve to use only Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes in the future. ;>)
And in case that brain of yours hasn't figured it out yet, this post was an example of sarcasm! Sarcasm:the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation, or to be funny. Have a great day Dave!
And in case that brain of yours hasn't figured it out yet, this post was an example of sarcasm! Sarcasm:the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation, or to be funny. Have a great day Dave!
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When the "offended" can cause the immediate unemployment of 30 plus people they become more empowered to force their agenda. I'm upset that Universal caved in to this small hate group.
BTW; the clip used is from the 2006 Orlando show and not from the 2013 Universal show.