In the wake of the recent ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’ debacle that rocked the whole world, apparently, and undeservedly put Golliwogs onto the back shelves, I started thinking: how much is too much? Comedy has always walked a fine line between what is humorous and what is blatantly inappropriate, but when does it cross that line?
I recently discovered a show on ABC that dangerously straddles that line…and I love it. It’s called Hungry Beast, and it combines news and entertainment into a new blend of just plain wrong. Take for example the show’s perspective on race, spurred of course by the controversy mentioned earlier. They basically take a serious and confronting issue, and rip it to shreds. They are in your face about it, and unapologetic. And freakin funny! And check out this clip, which should make you chuckle, until the last scene, when you realise (SPOILER ALERT) that it is not only being funny but making a serious statement about the Australian perspective. (Have a browse around this page because if these two clips dont reel you in, you are bound to find something you like, that is if you have a good sense of humour and appreciate some creativity on your tv and web)
Isn’t this comedy at its best? Doesn’t every comedian basically just point out the elements of the real world in a clever and witty way that will make us laugh? Take your Jerry Seinfelds, Dane Cooks and Roves. Who can turn the camera on ourselves better than these guys? And who better? I don’t want politicians telling me I’m racist, nor do I want teachers, policemen, or peers. I want these guys to wrap it up in a nice shiny, pretty package of humour and blast it across the nation. Then I’ll listen.
If comedy can’t push the boundaries of social acceptance, who can?
Hi Ciara,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post; the issue of racism is a very contentious one, and people can really get the feathers ruffled over it. If you want to be blown away by a new ABC TV show about race, check our John Safran's Race Relations on ABC iView. In the second episode John (a very pale and pasty Jewish lad from Melbourne) literally transforms into a black person (African Australian) via a great make-up team and presumably many hours at a tanning salon. Not only does Safran pull it off, he 'infiltrates' a black speed-dating night in the US, an evangelical African American church there (where he gives a rousing speech on what it's like to be an oppressed black man), as well as hanging out with some American 'black extremists'.
He proves it is possible to feel what it's like to be in another race's shoes, and he unwittingly gives insight into the universality of all human beings no matter their race or creed. Check it out!