Rape Jokes

[Smeatza]

Seen as rape seems to be a hot topic.

I just want to make one thing clear first.
The above skit does not endorse rape, rape culture or victim blaming in any way shape or form. Despite what Jim Sterling might have said otherwise (it was a lazy inaccurate example).

In any case what is your opinion on rape jokes, are they sometimes funny? never funny? only funny when tastefully done?

Spoiler: A couple of examples

I personally think that nothing should be beyond the realms of comedy. As all subjects can be handled tastefully.

 

[Rawne1980]

If they are funny then I enjoy them just like any other joke.

Even jokes that aren't done "in good taste" can sometimes be hilarious when pulled off (see Frankie Boyle).

 

[Jonluw]

Yeah, I was disappointed when Jim took that Chapelle quote as an example of justifying rape.

No topic is off-limits for jokes as far as I'm concerned.

I think it's problematic when people aren't allowed to joke about a subject.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

Most of them are pretty awful, for reasons that I can't be fucked to write up again. Basically it's because it actually causes more rape. (Is true!)
Ones like tobias in arrested developpement accidently naming his profession analrapist are fine, it's the ones where it's joking about the actual act of rape that aren't cool.

 

[Kordie]

I think this sums up my view nicely...

Spoiler: A T-shirt hell classic there.

OT, I believe in the context of comedy there is no such thing as a bad joke, or taboo subject. There can certainly be bad timing and inaapropriate audiences, but that is a different issue. Bringing rape jokes to an abused womens shelter, or a grade school show, not cool. Putting them in an appropriatly rated adults show, no problem.

*edit* A big reason why I love comediens like George Carlin and Louis CK is that they will go for any topic. They also do so in a way that says something. If you look at the Loius CK joke above, I see a message there. In the first part about Hitler, saying he'd rape hitler instead of killing him because "I think that would be enough". In here, hes saying murder is worse then rape because at least the person is still alive. He also shows how much it would change the person and ruin his life. In the second part, it shows how there is no good idea to do the act. He jokes that the only justification for it is absurd.