What should be off limits for comedians to joke about?

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada Smith's baldness, at the Oscars Awards program last night. (March 27, 2022). I hear Jada has a medical condition that makes her hair fall out. I didn't think what Chris said called for being slapped. He's a comedian; he's supposed to make fun of people.
What do you folks think? Was Chris wrong? Or was Will wrong? What should be off limits?

 

Nothing is off limits.

 

It's comedy, it's free speech, it's clearly true. Will Smith lost a viewer.

 

The joke was distasteful and he shouldn't have made it. Assault in response is worse.

 

OK. Even jokes about disabled people?

 

Yes, I agree he crossed a line.

 

Anything to do with Will Smith is off limits. Unless you want to be bitch slapped while onstage doing your job.

 

I don't think anything should be off limits except encouraging violence for no good reason.

But a person needs to have a little class about their self and think about what they're saying.

 

True.

 

While I tend to agree with you, as far as I'm concerned you can say whatever you want about me but if you go after my old lady those could be fighting words. I'm not saying it's right, just that it's not a wise thing to do.

I'm sure I'd feel the same way if I had kids.

 

True.

 

Nothing. if they aren't funny, they won't last long anyway.



Wait.. Maybe I am wrong on that.. the entire left wing comedy writers have never been funny.

 

Personally I think that humor that is overly crude and rude is a sign of a low intellect.

Good humor should make you think about it.... Sometimes the best humor, you won't even get when it's delivered..... You'll be thinking about it sometime tomorrow and suddenly laugh.

 

Don’t aim down, aim up when you’re throwing punches.

 

When you say off limits do you mean, what are jokes in bad taste, such as making fun of ones weight or looks or looks, or do you mean illegal such as harassment or slander?

 

Jon Stewart is funny. He's left leaning. He is a funny guy who makes you think.

 

I'm in the same boat in a way. if you go after my wife, even verbally, I'm probably going to do some unwise things . . . but I also won't defend the legality of those things.

 

I mean what subjects should a comedian stay away from while on stage.

 

While I certainly won't condone violence, I certainly can't find fault with Will Smith either.

I think kid Rock had some wise words that are somewhat related..... A lot of people poke fun and that's all right but when I start poking back they get all uptight!

 

In general, the professional attitude is "don't punch down." That's a good "should" guideline, in my opinion.

 

Nothing is off limits. black people, disabled people, dead people, everything is fair game.

 

I don't think he has a legal case. He's obviously in the wrong as far as the law is concerned. There's a case to be made for, "He had no legal right, but he did the right thing anyway."

 

I think comedians should be allowed to tell any jokes they want. Just like free speech. BUT just like free speech they need to deal with the consequences. So if your audience is offended and write poor reviews about their experience, then that is part of the process. Just don't blame cancel culture if people are offended and wish to tell the world about it. As long as the joke and not illegal like sexual harassment jokes they are free to do whatever they want.

 

I would be friendly to the defense if I were on the jury.

 

We talked about this last week when The Bee made fun of LGBT, and I said anyone can say anything they want, but there might be consequences, like getting a post deleted, account suspended/banned or getting slapped in the face like the guy on the stage. Or worse.....if the offence is bad enough, the consequence can be more than you were prepared for. In the old days, such things were settled in duels.

Nowadays, with online services, people cross the line in purpose, and then they play the victim when they face the consequences. That's a pathetic thing to do.