Clarksons award on TV

[mw2510]

Respect to your sense of humour and enjoy what you enjoy and don't watch what you don't like. Oh and don't watch QI

John

whats wrong with QI?

 

[Robbo]

John, this week I happened to catch top gear for the first time in ages and after the first couple of minutes of me watching he called James May a homosexual in a derogatory tone of voice. My how the audience laughed.

Is that really so funny? Why do homosexuals need to be referred to in a negative way?

I think its in pretty poor taste myself, and it perpetuates negative stereotypes which is wrong. But as I say, I seem to be in the minority here.

 

[glojo]

whats wrong with QI?

Prime Ministers Question Time
Question Time
Have I Got News For You
QI
Top Gear
F1 MotoGp, British Siperbikes and World Superbikes

That's my list of must watch, everything else is negotiable.

John

 

[glojo]

John, this week I happened to catch top gear for the first time in ages and after the first couple of minutes of me watching he called James May a homosexual in a derogatory tone of voice. My how the audience laughed.

Is that really so funny? Why do homosexuals need to be referred to in a negative way?

I think its in pretty poor taste myself, and it perpetuates negative stereotypes which is wrong. But as I say, I seem to be in the minority here.

Putting on my sensible hat and answering your question in a sensible manner then yes I personally think it was acceptable and hate this being afraid of to say anything in case we upset a certain sectiion of society. I have absolutely no idea of this person's sexuality and don't give a fig one way or the other. These three presentators are not only work colleagues, they are good friends and where was everyone's outrage when the hamster?? Is that offensive? anyway when the hamster accused Clarkson of being gay when he bought his SLK? This whole show is scripted and if this remark was offensive do you honestly think James May would have allowed it? Why oh why must we interpret ulterior motives into what these entertainers say? Each of them shares being the butt of one type of jokje or another and yes it is not poloitically correct and what a shame this sword hovers over our modern TV entertainers.

John

 

[Robbo]

btw, I have no idea about whether James May is gay or not, the point is about using the term in a derogatory way, and perpetuating negative stereotypes. Its the same thing when foreigners are insulted too.

As I say, I appear to have very different views to the majority of posters on this thread. I have made my point so I will bow out gracefully.

 

[recycled]

nothing derogatory about the way he said it.
it is all in the perception.

 

[glojo]

btw, I have no idea about whether James May is gay or not, the point is about using the term in a derogatory way, and perpetuating negative stereotypes. Its the same thing when foreigners are insulted too.

As I say, I appear to have very different views to the majority of posters on this thread. I have made my point so I will bow out gracefully.

Hopefully we all accept your views in the spirirt they were expressed. I just hate being told what is or is not funny and I usually press a button to change channels if I don't like any specific program.

On our mainstream TV it is now becoming acceptable to swear, or simulate having sex, including gay sex and I gaurantee your criticism will be treated far more seriously than if I were to compalin about all this obscene behaviour that is becoming so popular.

No I will not say what time and what channel

Take care
Regards
John

 

[Mudster]

John, this week I happened to catch top gear for the first time in ages and after the first couple of minutes of me watching he called James May a homosexual in a derogatory tone of voice. My how the audience laughed.

Is that really so funny? Why do homosexuals need to be referred to in a negative way?

I think its in pretty poor taste myself, and it perpetuates negative stereotypes which is wrong. But as I say, I seem to be in the minority here.

I found it funny and one of my friends is gay, he finds it funny as well because He understands the context in which the comments are made.

In this wonderful country we live in we have the right to choose what we watch.

Top Gear and QI are my two must sees, do you find Stephen Fry offensive when He remarks about Homosexuals or any other sexual for that matter? Or is that acceptable to you because He is gay?

The irony of your comments is actually the irony itself.

 

[SimonsMerc]

Robbie is right - "gay" is not a pejorative and should not be used as such.

Note that I didn't actually watch the episode in question, I'm just generically agreeing with the sentiment. Often people start using phrases in a certain way, and begin to believe that it is culturally acceptable to do so, without thinking of the effect those phrases have on the people described by those phrases.

-simon

 

[chriswt]

Robbie is right - "gay" is not a pejorative and should not be used as such.

Note that I didn't actually watch the episode in question, I'm just generically agreeing with the sentiment. Often people start using phrases in a certain way, and begin to believe that it is culturally acceptable to do so, without thinking of the effect those phrases have on the people described by those phrases.

-simon

8 year children use the word 'Gay' at school as a derogatory term. It is totally unacceptable for CJ to use it in the same way. But may be people laugh at him in the same way they laugh at a young child who has said something they shouldn't have.

Did you noitce that during the awards they played a clip of JC being controversial by using un-pc terms for a particaluar nations people.

Wop, Bubble, Frog, chinks etc etc etc but he didn't use the derogatory term for Pakistanis!?! I wonder why...!

He just churns out the same kind of stuff as my mates Cockney Grandma used to!

If he really wants to shock us why doens't he come out with lines like "all homophobics should burn in hell with a stake up thei ar$e" instead of "ohh that car is soooo gay!"

I only eat 'ethically produced' meat, I recycle, am conscious of excess packaging, wasting water/electricity and try to be socially responsible as possible. (I'm sure half of you are tutting as you read this!! )

I find that because of this I am in the minority compared to friends and work mates but I still speak out on what I believe in which makes me 100 times more controversial than JC will ever be.

 

[Robbo]

all homophobics should burn in hell with a stake up thei ar$e

Actually, I'd sign onto that one!!

Are you sure you meant homophobic?

 

[chriswt]

Top Gear and QI are my two must sees, do you find Stephen Fry offensive when He remarks about Homosexuals or any other sexual for that matter? Or is that acceptable to you because He is gay?

Because they are remarks, not insults!

It is perfectly acceptable to make a joke about a certain culture, race, sexuality without it being derogatory.

I watched an Indian comedian in Camden not long ago and he was joking about Indian mothers and grandmothers which was very funny, and even though it was a mainly white English audience we were laughing because of his cultural observations and not some racisit mocking!

 

[Ratz]

I have to say I find this thread interesting for it's ability to draw people in with quite strong opinions.

At the risk of exposing my own opinion on JC's use of words like gay etc, I am far more offended by our political and social elite welcoming the dictator of an extremely oppressive regime with open arms and celebrating our 'shared values'.

 

[Mudster]

In my view these aren't insults, they are amusing jocular remarks, which are just plain funny.

At what point does a cultural or sexual observation become and insult?

Would the the jokes about the Indian Mothers and Grandmothers have been just as funny if a white comedian was telling them or would that have been a racist Jibe.

Top gear is funny, which is why it's one of BBC2 biggest grossing programs ever and syndicated to hundreds of countries world wide, hundreds of millions of people watch it, because it's just plain funny and entertaining.

Feel free to turn it off, don't watch it, it won't then offend your sensibilities.

As for you suggesting you're controversial, I wouldn't agree with that...narrow minded maybe but certainly not controversial.

 

[grober]

JC the truth will out ????

After watching JC's antics with a PEEL P50 last week http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/videos/
I suddenly realised the truth---- JC is a "closet" tree hugger! He just hasn't had the nerve to "come out " yet.

 

[chriswt]

In my view these aren't insults, they are amusing jocular remarks, which are just plain funny.

At what point does a cultural or sexual observation become and insult?

Would the the jokes about the Indian Mothers and Grandmothers have been just as funny if a white comedian was telling them or would that have been a racist Jibe.

Top gear is funny, which is why it's one of BBC2 biggest grossing programs ever and syndicated to hundreds of countries world wide, hundreds of millions of people watch it, because it's just plain funny and entertaining.

Feel free to turn it off, don't watch it, it won't then offend your sensibilities.

As for you suggesting you're controversial, I wouldn't agree with that...narrow minded maybe but certainly not controversial.

I understand what you are trying to say Mudster but a joke becomes an insult when the comment is designed to insult rather than be a joke. Simple!

Calling someone 'Gay' is not a joke when it is clearly said so that people will laugh at them. It's not rocket science.

Mudster, I was commenting on your post, not attacking it. Please don't call me narrow minded, especially when I haven't said anything that could be construed as such.

And I can't see why the indian comedians jokes can't be used by anyone else. They aren't designed to insult regadless of the person telling them......that's the difference.

The fact that I don't agree with a certain behaviour doens't mean I have to turn it off. Are you saying that if you have an opinion about TG you shouldn't watch it.

 

[LeighW]

I disagree,
He is definitely very anti the politically correct brigade and says what a huge audience agree's with, I hate all these modern 'obias' and I have a very broad sense of humour that will laugh at things that I think are funny and if that is being ebby-geebee-phobia then so be it, but two fingers to the politically correct police that try to tell me what I should find amusing.

John

Very well put John.

 

[Ratz]

I recall from my history classes that somewhere around 2000 years ago it was considered good entertainment to put christians and lions together. Just to be clear I am not suggesting we start this up again, at least not for a generic group (maybe just the odd politician or celeb ).

However my point is that society in time deemed this to be unreasonable behaviour and so it disappeared (yes I know I am oversimplyfying). Same with various other activities over the centuries.

The main thing to take from this is that at least we live in a country where we can have the discussion.

 

[chriswt]

I recall from my history classes that somewhere around 2000 years ago it was considered good entertainment to put christians and lions together. Just to be clear I am not suggesting we start this up again, at least not for a generic group (maybe just the odd politician or celeb ).

However my point is that society in time deemed this to be unreasonable behaviour and so it disappeared (yes I know I am oversimplyfying). Same with various other activities over the centuries.

The main thing to take from this is that at least we live in a country where we can have the discussion.

Not only is it testament to the country we live in that we can have this dicussion but the forum that we belong to. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is the best forum I've ever come across...with the best members!!!

 

[Gollom]

And I can't see why the indian comedians jokes can't be used by anyone else. They aren't designed to insult regadless of the person telling them......that's the difference.

My asian friend jokes about Indian mothers always trying to marry daughters off to a professional (doctor etc.) She is very funny about it, but it is still a stereotype. If I joked about it would it then be less funny? Insulting?

Discuss....