BARROOM POETRY
Corporate Vs. Club Comedy: How to be True to Yourself without Swearing And ControversyThis blog is a continuation of a rant about “adult” comedy. Please read Part 1 first.
Having established that “adult” is not a code word for sex, some people think it indicates a comedian who swears. Coarse language is the bugbear of many genteel souls who drive past starving, freezing people begging at the traffic lights every day without blinking, but are apt to be outraged when a comedian spices up a punch line with a bit of Anglo-Saxon. However…
I acknowledge that there are more and less polite ways of expressing oneself and appropriate times to do so. As a matter of course, I MC and entertain at corporate gigs without swearing or saying anything that is in the least bit controversial. That’s because I do corporate gigs to add value to the clients’ functions and I respect and fulfil their requirements. I work to their brief. Any comic who doesn’t, isn’t a rebel, he’s an amateur.
I accept the rules for corporate gigs knowing that companies represent diverse groups of people, so they need policies that apply equally to everyone they work with. If that means no swearing, I comply. It makes sense. But when I work in comedy clubs where individuals have chosen to come see a show of their own free will in a venue, which in terms of its liquor licence forbids under 18’s, I do sometimes swear… just like you. I apologise if you find that offensive, but perhaps, to keep swearing in perspective, you might consider that if I say, “f@&k”, you don’t have to take it as a command.
How do you measure a comedian’s use of language?
I submitted a DVD of one of my completely uncensored performances to the Film And Publications Board for registration and rating… It received an age restriction of 13L.
That’s more depressing than hearing AC/DC played on panpipes at the mall. Me at my wildest, and the official guardians of our morals rated the show 13L.
I take this to mean that my comedy is unlikely to offend anyone who has gone through puberty, but to be safe, I still have to recommend “adults only”, because there seems to be no objective standard by which to measure shock and horror.
Although I have to admit I believe some of the outrage is a bit, dare I say… Fake?
Why get so angry at the comic who speaks about ordinary topics like an ordinary person, with a few earthy words? I believe it boils down to suspicion and control. As I wrote in Part 1, most people have nothing to fear from stand-up comedy. But for those who do, a good way to control what someone says is to shame them by accusing them of insanity or obscenity. The insanity tactic doesn’t work with comics, most of whom tend to regard mental illness as a job requirement, but a well-timed obscenity charge still does. So here’s my defence:
If you say I was being rude, you were probably in a no-holds-barred club where comedians often have to be shocking just to get the attention of the crowd.
Why was I performing there? Because that’s the way I earn my living. You don’t only sell your product to people you like, either.
Why did you stay if you are so sensitive? Could it be that perhaps you were enjoying the catharsis of the comics expressing the hostility that sometimes bubbles within us all?
How dare I accuse you of enjoying yourself? Because you were free to leave whenever you chose. If you stayed purely because you’d paid the cover charge, you’re a hypocrite and a cheap one at that. So neither of us is perfect, let’s drop the fake outrage.
If you heard me doing “controversial” material like supporting human rights or being positive about this country, I’m just doing what I believe in and I make no excuses for that. I think you should ask yourself why you find these topics controversial. If you listen, you might find you agree with more than you expected. But I’d prefer it if you just have a laugh.
I’ll finish off this rant with my amended wish list for a perfect audience. It might be a bit more realistic than the one I expressed in the opening paragraph of Part 1.
My favourite crowd is a group of people who are interested in comedy and who come to the show, open to the experience. My greatest desire is for you to enjoy the ride. I make a lot of people laugh and I hope you’ll be one of them. Some people don’t laugh and I humbly apologise for not being able to meet your expectations. But I will, sincerely, try to give you a good time and your money’s worth.
And, if I do make you laugh, please take responsibility for your reactions to the show. Why not openly admit it to yourself and maybe even your friends? That's the adult thing to do.
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