Does simply saying you're a comedian mean you can say ANYTHING about ANYONE, no matter how vulgar, nasty, untrue or prejudiced it is?

George Carlin said that anything and everything is ok to joke about, as long as you do it right. He used the word "exaggeration" to express the fact that every joke contains one or more elements that are out of kilter. He said that even rape can be funny if the right part is "exaggerated." He gave two examples. One was Porky Pig raping Elmer Fudd, and he added, "So *that's* why they call him Porky!" The second was a guy raping a 90-year-old woman, and he added, "What the f*k kind of social life does this guy have!" The point was not that the person saying it was a comedian, but that he's "exaggerating" the right part. I know white guys out here in the real world who make jokes with racial elements and the black guys don't care. Meanwhile, Michael Richards was crucified in the media for the racist comments he made on stage. His being a comedian didn't make it ok in people's eyes. Nor did it keep people form condemning Don Imus. Eminem is regarded as a comedian, but he's had people up in arms over some of his lyrics.

Edit: You asked a yes-or-no question, and I never got aroudn to answering it. No. The answer is no.It's not being called a comedian that makes the difference in what jokes are ok and what jokes aren't.

To a point. Depending on the audience age and what is appropriate at the time. They have to be careful with jokes about race for instance. But you don't have to be nasty to bring that up, though it helps. Some remarks ruin a comedian - remember the guy who played Kramer on Seinfeld? He was all over the news for telling a racist joke and now he can't get hired as a paper boy. Some folks like crude humor and crude comedians never fail to find an audience. Personal taste I guess.

I get offended by some Jewish jokes and I'm Jewish. especially the Holocaust. there is NOTHING funny to say about the Holocaust. NOTHING. And I especially hate black jokes- b/c they are disgusting and extremely offensive.

I agree with you that not all jokes are meant to be told, in the name of "humor"

That being said, there is away to poke fun at religions and races that is a humorous way of portraying true things about that group, and that is quite funny and not offensive.

such as Jewish mother jokes- I laugh by those, b/c i grew up with a Jewish mother (and I'm one myself now as well)

and, well.......

their true.

Not always. Sometimes things go over the top, and people who are willing to laugh at themselves and the world DO get offended; and then you don't have an audience.

See what happened to Andrew Dice Clay's career.

I listened to Sinbad make fun of my demographic, Sam Kinneson just rip us to pieces..... Rodney Dangerfield....Carlin..... Robin Williams; making fun of themselves as well.

It's what you say; but it's also about HOW you say it and the context you use.

Gallagher offended no one; but after the 3rd watermellon was he really funny?

Comedy is in the eye of the beholder

You're probably the only one in this category.

Who's ever repeated the 5th Amendment.

No, it doesn't give anyone the right to, sadly most people will mock others not knowing they are hurting people at their expense.

There are tasteful comics out there.

I could careless. I'm Irish, got any good jokes? If there good I'll laugh, if not I won't!

You think they're offensive? Never watch Denis Leary.

Yes

Actually, in most countries you can do that anyway, comedian or not.

Welcome to the internet! You must be new here. You will find a lot of people spewing hate simply because they can, not calling themselves comedians.