Comments on: Are Fat Jokes Simply Unacceptable?

By: Jodie M.

Jodie M. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:43:07 +0000

Hi. I just read your post on comedy and size. I am actually a fat woman who is also a stand up comic. A large part of what I talk about is related to my body but I put it out there in a way that is intended to be not only funny (there is humor in everything) but also affirming. In other words – I’m fat, get over it. I will ocassionally have other women come up to me after shows and say “you’re so funny..there’s no need to talk about your weight” – which totally amazes me. It’s so taboo in so many ways. Short answer is – some guy making obscene fat jokes at the expense of others is not acceptable at all. It happens alot though and in some ways, what I do is in response to this. Sort of “take that asshole.” A fat woman finding humor in her own situation and life can be empowering and affirming. You have to own who you are and that encompasses size. Roseanne Barr once said about audiences “they may not agree with what I’m saying, but they are hearing it at least” – and that is how we take control and ownership over who we are. Thanks for the post!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:14:45 +0000

Is this really the same Dawn French who has based an extremely lucrative career on being ‘Comically fat’, I wonder?

Good point.

By: Mary Sheehan Winn

Mary Sheehan Winn — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:38:53 +0000

I thought the SNL skit on Tiger Woods and his wife was hilarious!

By: Melanthios

Melanthios — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:51:45 +0000

As long as you make fun of everyone equally. Or, conversely, as long as you make fun of something while showing your love and respect for it. Both are possible.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:26:03 +0000

Is this really the same Dawn French who has based an extremely lucrative career on being ‘Comically fat’, I wonder?

By: Nonny

Nonny — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:51:06 +0000

When is a joke not a joke? Ans: At any time when the butt of the joke is unable or unwilling to take it as a joke. Jokes are usually more acceptable when they are clever, draw attention to general truths in a new light and are not destructive. Joking is a living art form and a very good indication of the state of mind of the person presenting the joke. Sick people make sick jokes and just because they are self depracating does not mean that the person making the joke is having a lot of fun. Ms. French is just letting the rest of us know that she’s either tired of being a big girl or feeling more vulnerable about it all. Why the hell the rest of us have to use this to try to straight jacket all the fun out of the world I don’t know! To Dawn: Rest assured that we love you just as you are and appreciate all the time and energy you have given to the World of Fun. Making rude noises is hilarious when you are six, but a bloody nuisance when you’r 60. Let’s leave it at that!

By: Addish

Addish — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:32:55 +0000

I do agree with the first three commentators, but sometimes I think people just need to loosen up. Then again some comedians can be way to offensive without being funny, so there is a line, it’s very thin, but it’s there.

I may be biased as well though. I joke about literally everything, good and bad, offensive and non offensive….aaand I hate censorship. The thing to me with fat jokes though is that they’re so overused and it’s always the same ones over and over and over again. It’s like sometimes I feel like Cerano, I mean, if you’re going to make fun of me, be funny!

By: All Women Stalker

All Women Stalker — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:17:13 +0000

Hi there! I’m really happy to have found this blog. Have been out of the Fat-O-Sphere for some time now and was just looking at what I have been missing.

Anyway, regarding your question…. I certainly agree that comedy and humor is something subjective. Which is why I think that there shouldn’t be restrictions as to what people, especially comedians, can joke about. There is a very fine line (like the first commenter mentioned) between a mean joke and a funny joke; that line shouldn’t be crossed.

Making any kind of joke shouldn’t be a desperate attempt to be funny. Like resorting to green jokes, fat jokes, racial jokes, etc. One should try to stay within the bounds of being a creative comedienne.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:21:18 +0000

As a comedian I would probably be inclined to say that I don’t think comedy should be restricted, just like I don’t think a person’s speech should be restricted according the rights we’re given. But as a fat woman I have to say I agree with the poster talking about “speaking with our money”. I find that as a comedian AND an audience member I really find jokes that are just obvious judgements of groups of people to be not very funny. I like original comedy and I even limit my OWN fat jokes because I don’t want to be a “fat comic” or a “woman comic” or a “white comic”. I want to be a FUNNY COMIC. And i’m fairly sure most of the audience wants a funny comic too.

By: eli

eli — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:07:40 +0000

creolerose1115, most fat jokes ARE lazy, unimaginative, and unoriginal.

Why do I say this? Because if you’re speaking as a thin person who has never been fat, you don’t own the material, have never lived as a fat person, you have the stereotypes of fat people and the privilege of a thin person – so you kinda know nothing about the fat experience besides, “fat people like cake”. Or look at “fatty, being all fat.”

Lazy, unimaginative, and unoriginal. Nothing I can’t get from an email forward, or People of Walmart, or Bob at the water cooler, or every source of mainstream entertainment EVER.

If I, as a fat person, want to do jokes about being fat, I can get all deep into the nitty gritty. I live that shit every day. I’ve got details on top of details.

Get onstage with a unique and funny perspective on something. At least try, otherwise, what’s the point?