British Comedy Guide

Crudity - Discussion!

Recently, I’ve noticed that a few sketches in the critique section have come in for criticism due to their crudity.

I would like to know what people consider to be crude.

Personally, I find that certain swear words of a crude nature can make me cringe. However, if a sketch merely suggests or hints at crudity then I am not offended.

For example, I have entered a sketch for the weekly sketch competition which contains several references to homosexual activities – the only crude language in use is two mentions of the word ‘prick’. This isn’t exactly overkill and it fits better than any other word I could have used. Also, there was recently a sketch by one of the regulars, which revolved around a man having sex with a robot – the robot turned out to be another man and, I believe, they were caught by one of the mens wives. It could easily have been crude, but the language was not crude at all. If, however, the line “What are you doing up his arsehole, you f**king poof” was in there, then I would have cringed and perhaps shuddered.

Sometimes, though, crude language is very effective in a sketch. I recall a sketch from Jam which involved a doctor who, due to money shortages, had to run a sex chatline on the side. As he was dealing with a patient, the phone would ring and the doctor would then have to spout obscene filth down the phone. He would then hang up and go back to dealing with his patient.

What do others think?

I think crude language can take a sketch to another level if used in the right way. When it comes totally unexpected as a twist or reveal it can work fantastically well. For example kids and old folk
Little britian old lady saying "you love the cock" or a Voltswagon viral on the internet with a little kid saying bollocks just work for some reason for me.
All the way through though it better be a big pay off and just for the sake of it - no.

If it's necessary for a sketch to work - yes. If there are better and more imaginative ways of expressing the same thing, I think it's better to use that :)

I'm not easily offended, but I admire writing when you can write without crudity and still have the same effect. Thanks for using my sketch as an example. Even though I don't mind watching crude comedy myself, I prefer to write in a more gentle style, with only the suggestion of crudity.

I like the sound of that Jam sketch anyone have a link?

Coming from one of the Slagg Brothers, it may sound weird me saying I'm not a fan of crude for crude's sake. But that's the problem and also the benefit of writing with someone else ... you can always blame them - when they're not in the room.
;)

Well I am crude. I like to shock & make people shudder. So if anyone is offended by that I would suggest they by pass most of my sketches & many of my posts.

I believe we should be able to write whatever we want. If peeps dont like it then they can quit reading it.

Thats my opinion anyhoo.

I had to add an eg.
If you were writing about any sexual scene but as homosexual has been brought up, you could try

a)They had sex
b)He placed his penis in his bottom.
c)He dropped anchor in pooh bay & rammed ferociously until he was blue in the face.

I have my preference. Whistling nnocently

I'm not a big fan of crude humour that is just crude for the sake of it, with no imagination behind, either said just to shock or be disgusting with nothing really original being said.

I can't find that Jam sketch about the sex chat line. But here is a similar one from Mr Show which is great. http://youtube.com/watch?v=O-iQpwT0T7E

Oi Martin even being crude takes a lot of imagination.

How can you be original describing a sex scene, unless you are being a little different.
I do agree that it can go too far though.
We all have our own comedic tastes.

I think people can write absolutely anything as long as, in my opinion, its clever. I think the writer has to show they thought about something before they wrote it.

Quote: ajp29 @ August 23, 2007, 1:49 AM

I think people can write absolutely anything as long as, in my opinion, its clever. I think the writer has to show they thought about something before they wrote it.

That's f**king bollocks you poof!

Quote: Leevil @ August 23, 2007, 1:50 AM

That's f**king bollocks you poof!

Laughing out loud That was a valid and well thought out point Leevil. Have a biscuit :)

Quote: Winterlight @ August 22, 2007, 6:34 PM

I would like to know what people consider to be crude.

Oil. Oil can be crude.

It's odd, but if something's funny and also crude it makes people laugh more(Little Britain, Jam), but if it's not funny and it's crude it's a lot worse than a sketch which is just not funny. Crudeness is not funny on its own I guess, but amplifies the humour of the sketch or, if the sketch isn't funny, amplifies the bad feeling towards the sketch.

I was crude!!!! :O

Quote: Simon Stratton @ August 23, 2007, 9:09 PM

It's odd, but if something's funny and also crude it makes people laugh more(Little Britain, Jam), but if it's not funny and it's crude it's a lot worse than a sketch which is just not funny. Crudeness is not funny on its own I guess, but amplifies the humour of the sketch or, if the sketch isn't funny, amplifies the bad feeling towards the sketch.

I couldn't agree more ...well I could but I'd have to take a day off work to do so.

Share this page