Quote: zooo @ November 19 2008, 2:46 PM GMTThey could have called him something catchy like This Week's Dead Baby That We're All Going To Pretend To Care About.
(That's the papers not you lot.)
And us lot. If you want to be really honest.
The ultimate taboo? Page 9
Quote: zooo @ November 19 2008, 2:42 PM GMTAnd why is it okay for them to plaster his face all over the papers now, but not use his name? I'm confused. (it doesn't take much.)
Might be because there are other children (i.e his siblings) that are involved in this case and their anonymity has to be preserved?
Quote: chipolata @ November 19 2008, 2:48 PM GMTAnd us lot. If you want to be really honest.
Don't count me in on the crowd.
Absolutely.
Any one here going to volunteer for Child line, NSPCC?
More to the point anyone here going to talk to the parent hitting their kid in Sainsbury's and swearing at it?
Ohh, yeah maybe.
I don't really understand the media laws.
(Maybe Bandage knows.)
Quote: sootyj @ November 19 2008, 2:50 PM GMTMore to the point anyone here going to talk to the parent hitting their kid in Sainsbury's and swearing at it?
Yes, have done.
Well I bow to your high values.
Quote: sootyj @ November 19 2008, 2:50 PM GMTAbsolutely.
Any one here going to volunteer for Child line, NSPCC?
More to the point anyone here going to talk to the parent hitting their kid in Sainsbury's and swearing at it?
If its a smack no, if they're beating the crap out of him/her then yes.
Honestly, we're all so cool and desensitized, aren't we.
I reckon there's a real difference between making a joke about the subject and actually finding joy in the victim's suffering.
While I found it distasteful, the Huntley cock joke is really just a play on words. Yes it uses a nasty subject to find that play on words but the joke isn't really in anyone's suffering. Racism on the other hand relies on a massive assumption of inferiority on the part of a whole group of people, which is presumably why quite so many people find it offensive.
Anyway, as a scientist, I like to have things calibrated so I know where I stand. Imagine Frankie Boyle saying this and please rate it from 1 (not offended) to 10 (very offended):
"It turns out Baby P's mother has had another baby while on remand. I'm off to get a SAVE BABY Q t-shirt printed."
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 19 2008, 2:38 PM GMTI just don't think he would use that subject matter. Maybe a subject surrounding the case, but not directly about the child itself. Has he ever done any nasty gags before? (I don't include mocking the Queen. He's allowed to as a Scotsman.)
If you'd seen him live, which i did this summer, you'd know he won't shy away from this subject. I think you'd be shocked at just how far he pushes the boundaries. More shock, for me, than humorous though.
Quote: Afinkawan @ November 19 2008, 2:52 PM GMTI reckon there's a real difference between making a joke about the subject and actually finding joy in the victim's suffering.
While I found it distasteful, the Huntley cock joke is really just a play on words. Yes it uses a nasty subject to find that play on words but the joke isn't really in anyone's suffering. Racism on the other hand relies on a massive assumption of inferiority on the part of a whole group of people, which is presumably why quite so many people find it offensive.
I hoped someone would come along and say what I said, only better. With like, intelligence and that.
Quote: Afinkawan @ November 19 2008, 2:52 PM GMTI reckon there's a real difference between making a joke about the subject and actually finding joy in the victim's suffering.
While I found it distasteful, the Huntley cock joke is really just a play on words. Yes it uses a nasty subject to find that play on words but the joke isn't really in anyone's suffering. Racism on the other hand relies on a massive assumption of inferiority on the part of a whole group of people, which is presumably why quite so many people find it offensive.
Anyway, as a scientist, I like to have things calibrated so I know where I stand. Imagine Frankie Boyle saying this and please rate it from 1 (not offended) to 10 (very offended):
"It turns out Baby P's mother has had another baby while on remand. I'm off to get a SAVE BABY Q t-shirt printed."
3 I'm not easily offended, quite funny though.
Are you making a sick joke ray with which to conquer the world?
And well put Afinkawan.
An easy conclusion may be to agree that no subject is taboo but that as a site full of largely unsuccessful writers of comedy it may be wise to consider how may of your audience you will alienate with increasing levels of taboo esque material. As far as I'm aware no law exists to stop baby p jokes but if you want to roll up to an open mike and let rip with 10 mins worth be prepared for some problems.
Quote: Griff @ November 19 2008, 2:32 PM GMTBut hey, as I also said, it's your choice as a writer or performer what material to use. You just need to find the audience that likes what you do.
Jim Davidson - case in point. 
Quote: Nick Rivers @ November 19 2008, 2:52 PM GMTIf you'd seen him live, which i did this summer, you'd know he won't shy away from this subject. I think you'd be shocked at just how far he pushes the boundaries. More shock, for me, than humorous though.
I saw Jerry Sadowitz a few months ago and he was going on about how he found Madeline McCann sexually attractive, but it was shock rather than funny.