Stand-up comedy was birthed in America. It took root in vaudeville theaters in the late nineteenth-century. As a new art form, performances relied heavily on bawdy humor accompanied by burlesque and comedic routines known as slapstick. The comedy arena as we know it today has significantly changed and comedic content, now in monologue form, celebrates a variety of styles, tackles controversial topics, and is critiqued by a world-wide audience.
In its early days, stand-up comedy served one purpose: to make people laugh. In more recent years, comedians began taking risks exposing taboo subject matter that was commonly avoided in everyday conversation. Today’s stand-up is available across numerous mass-media platforms. While making people laugh is still the primary goal of comedians, the topic of free speech within the comedy arena has been heavily criticized by community censorship. According to the book, Mass Media Law: “Community censorship does not mean censorship or punishment imposed by the government, but rather the silencing of speech by private people or business entities, often as a result of pressure exerted by political activists, public interest groups, and economic stakeholders.” Private entertainment companies have recently started silencing and in some cases have completely dissociated themselves from comedians whose humor has failed to represent their values.
There is no question that over time this art form has experienced exponential growth and audiences have become considerably more diverse. Entertainment is virtually at the fingertips of people who utilize both free and monetized media platforms. Comedians of the 21st century are arguably held to a different standard than those that came before them. It is important to recall that while freedom of speech protects comedians under public entities; their speech is not protected under the provision of privatized companies. This raises the question: are audiences too critical of today’s comedians?
Pete Davidson is a stand-up comedian and currently one of the youngest cast members on SNL. Infamous for “pushing the envelope” when it comes to controversial topics, Davidson has made divisive jokes about 9/11, suicide, mental health, and religion. Recently, after making an appearance at Binghamton University, Davidson announced that he would no longer be speaking on college campuses. This was prompted by the backlash he experienced after joking about his struggles with suicide. University student Sophie Miller, remarked: “By censoring Davidson on the topic of suicide, and judging others for relating or thinking there can be humor in dark things, you stigmatize the subject…There is a clear difference between using comedy to make social commentary and being offensive for the sake of being offensive.”
Another popular comedian who has enjoyed longevity in this industry recently sparked controversy for the release of his highly anticipated Netflix special: Dave Chappelle Sticks and Stones. Chappelle’s Special covered a wide range of what some would call politically charged and incorrect statements against certain groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. Many critics claim that Chapelle went too far, implying that his jokes were not merely jokes, rather he was asserting his personal agenda specifically against transgender people. Some, however, disagreed with this analysis. Journalist for the Washington News Post, Sonny Bunch said: “Once you lose the right to make anyone uncomfortable at any time for any reason, you’ve removed an arrow from the comedic quiver — rendering it a bit more difficult for us to see the world from a different, funnier perspective.”
Should comedians like Davidson and Chappelle be forced to draw a line or should they be free in their comedic expression on whatever subject matter they choose? Instead of just a laugh, maybe today’s comics are aiming for more. If you believe that laughter is the best medicine, then you may consider that the art of stand-up comedy continues to evolve as comedians spoon-feed us small doses of controversial issues for the sake of pushing us outside of our comfort zones to stand on the line and contemplate issues we would otherwise, censor.
There is no question that over time this art form has experienced exponential growth and audiences have become considerably more diverse. Entertainment is virtually at the fingertips of people who utilize both free and monetized media platforms. Comedians of the 21st century are arguably held to a different standard than those that came before them. It is important to recall that while freedom of speech protects comedians under public entities; their speech is not protected under the provision of privatized companies. This raises the question: are audiences too critical of today’s comedians?
Pete Davidson is a stand-up comedian and currently one of the youngest cast members on SNL. Infamous for “pushing the envelope” when it comes to controversial topics, Davidson has made divisive jokes about 9/11, suicide, mental health, and religion. Recently, after making an appearance at Binghamton University, Davidson announced that he would no longer be speaking on college campuses. This was prompted by the backlash he experienced after joking about his struggles with suicide. University student Sophie Miller, remarked: “By censoring Davidson on the topic of suicide, and judging others for relating or thinking there can be humor in dark things, you stigmatize the subject…There is a clear difference between using comedy to make social commentary and being offensive for the sake of being offensive.”
Another popular comedian who has enjoyed longevity in this industry recently sparked controversy for the release of his highly anticipated Netflix special: Dave Chappelle Sticks and Stones. Chappelle’s Special covered a wide range of what some would call politically charged and incorrect statements against certain groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. Many critics claim that Chapelle went too far, implying that his jokes were not merely jokes, rather he was asserting his personal agenda specifically against transgender people. Some, however, disagreed with this analysis. Journalist for the Washington News Post, Sonny Bunch said: “Once you lose the right to make anyone uncomfortable at any time for any reason, you’ve removed an arrow from the comedic quiver — rendering it a bit more difficult for us to see the world from a different, funnier perspective.”
Should comedians like Davidson and Chappelle be forced to draw a line or should they be free in their comedic expression on whatever subject matter they choose? Instead of just a laugh, maybe today’s comics are aiming for more. If you believe that laughter is the best medicine, then you may consider that the art of stand-up comedy continues to evolve as comedians spoon-feed us small doses of controversial issues for the sake of pushing us outside of our comfort zones to stand on the line and contemplate issues we would otherwise, censor.
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