Episode 4: What’s Considered Offensive In Comedy?

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Comedy is subjective, and what one person finds hilarious, another might find offensive. In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, comedians Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell break down the complexities of offensive humor in today’s politically charged world. They explore what lines comedians walk, how audiences perceive different types of jokes, and why some material might land well in one show but fall flat in another.

The Changing Landscape of What’s Offensive

Vince and Dobie discuss how what was once considered funny has evolved over the years. Vince highlights how certain words and topics that were previously acceptable are now seen as offensive, while Dobie reflects on how modern-day comedians are pushing the envelope with edgy content.

Pro Tip: Comedy is all about timing and knowing your audience. What might be acceptable in one context might be totally out of bounds in another.

Intention vs. Impact

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the difference between intention and impact. Vince talks about how he never intends to offend with his material but acknowledges that the impact on certain individuals may be different from what he originally intended. A joke about his son's allergies, for example, might be harmless to most but hit harder for someone personally affected by similar experiences.

Dobie shares stories of times he unintentionally offended audience members, including one infamous show where a harmless joke about physical appearances received gasps of disbelief instead of laughter.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether your material is offensive, consider the potential impact on your audience. The goal is to entertain, not alienate.

How Do You Handle Offense?

Vince and Dobie offer advice for comedians, public speakers, and anyone dealing with humor in front of a crowd. Both agree that it’s essential to be aware of your audience and the cultural or social context you’re performing in. When in doubt, they say: don’t.

Vince shares a story of how he once had to remove a joke from his set because of repeated feedback, despite the joke getting big laughs for years. As he puts it, "The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze."

Pro Tip: Sometimes, it's better to adjust your material than risk alienating parts of your audience. It’s all about knowing what’s essential to your act and what can be left behind.

Offensive Humor in Today’s World

The episode wraps up with a discussion about how some comedians thrive on shock value, pushing boundaries deliberately to create a reaction. While that style works for some, Vince and Dobie emphasize that their personal goal is to leave audiences feeling better after a show, not worse.

In a world where political correctness plays a big role, understanding how humor lands is more important than ever.

Why You Should Listen to This Episode

Whether you're an aspiring comedian, a public speaker looking to add humor to your presentations, or just a fan of comedy, this episode offers insightful perspectives on what makes humor offensive and how comedians deal with it.

Listen to the full episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is to hear more stories and tips from Vince and Dobie. Don’t forget to visit our website at thefunnypodcast.com for additional content and updates.

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