That gay Joke isn't funny anymore?

[Gromit]

Rowan Aikinson has accused ministers of filling their legislative programme with measures that have "serious implications for freedom of speech, humour and creative expression"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/11/08/ngay108.xml

"The casual ease which some people move from finding something offensive to wishing to declare it criminal - and are then able to find factions within government to aid their ambitions - is truly depressing."

What do you think? And before anyone says it, it is not political correctness gone mad.

[China Doll]

Fuss over nothing I think Groms.

I mean, we're not supposed to be sexist or racist or sizeist etc...either but if you want to get really pedantic about it then technically some comedians could be accused of it.. Chris Rock, Jimmy Carr, Kathy Tate, Little Britain, Leage of Gentlemen, Brent (actual name escapes me at the moment) and on and on and on.

People will laugh at what they want to laugh at regardless, some people still find that cornish t1thead funny with the stupid outfit. There's just no accounting for taste.

[jno]

life is tough for millionaire comedians. Society is always changing, while the poor dears are trying desperately to hang onto their old material. Perhaps he and Mr Bean should just retire to Hollywood permanently; I could cope with the deprivation, I feel sure.

[China Doll]

Ditto what jno said on the Mr Bean thing.

I'm keeping Black Adder though.

[Reverandfunk]

Never got Mr Bean.

Black adder goes forth was quality.

[Gromit]

Thank you, Darling.

[China Doll]

Which was the one with Queen Elizabeth? I liked that one.

The final one when they went over the trenches in whichever series was pretty sad though I thought.

[China Doll]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Family/Pregnanc y/Question478422-2.html

FAO Gromit

[Lucy Thomas]

China Doll, Can you please tell me who is the "cornish t1thead with the stupid outfit."

[China Doll]

Erm.... Jeffro? Is that it? I'm not sure... hang on, will see if I can get a piccy.

[China Doll]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/images/ 2005/12/05/jethro203_203x152.jpg

Jethro!

[Pippa68]

I have no taste, CD.

I find Jethro hilarious...sort of...lol.

[China Doll]

Ah well Pip... I always suspected as much anyway. Although considering I only said 'no accounting for taste' it's jolly brave of you to come out and admit it. ;0P

There's another one I don't like too who's name I can't remember too... he reminds me of John Motson (racing guy - 'the booby'). Also wears a very strange suit, do you know who I mean?

[Pippa68]

I have no idea who that is.

Mind you I do try and avoid actualy looking at Jethro. I tend to listen to him via audio tape in the car on the M25.

[China Doll]

Tis alright, a work collegue who speaks China Doll has just told me that it is not Chubby Checker Brown I dislike but Roy Chubby Brown!

[sp1814]

Q. How many gay men does it take to change a lightbulb?

A. Five...one to call an electrician and four to fix the Martinis and dips.

[China Doll]

Splutters coffee

That gay joke is still funny!

[Pippa68]

A few of Chubby's jokes are ok, CD ~ like the alphabetti spaghetti one.

However after about half an hour of jokes about womens parts smelling like tuna you fall asleep or switch him off. I do like his funny dance, though.

I like that one, sp.

[sp1814]

That's my all time favourite joke.

I like to trot it out once every few months.

[Pippa68]

MIne is the one about the slug selling the 'Big Issue'

I have been told that this is in poor taste.

When does a 'Gay' joke become offensive, sp? I suppose the ones which point out a specific stereotype (like yours) is inoffensive to you but may be offensive to others? I can't think why, however I am fat and find most fat jokes funny..

[sp1814]

Ahhh...that offensive thing. It's difficult to explain, but I think it's to do with tone.

Yeah...that's it. A group can be the butt of a joke, even stereotyped, but it's the tone of the joke which matters.

To a degree it also matters who's telling the joke.

Blimey...I've never consciously thought of this before.