Jimmy Carr: “There’s A Crisis Going On With Men!” (youtube.com)

Jimmy Carr, self described “Edgy” comedian, although he does use bunny ears when he says “Edgy”.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of “Edgy”. I find it entirely contrived from a place that may not be that interested in being funny. I think Jimmy manages to do what other edgy comedians don’t manage. He makes it abundantly clear that what he’s doing is jokes. He also isn’t mean-spirited. “It’s a joke about the bad thing, its not the actual bad thing”. And he’s funny. Like I say I’m not a *huge* fan of the edgy stuff and Jimmy has crossed lines a few times but he does acknowledge it. He engages with his detractors and does so eloquently and with grace. Many of his edgy contemporaries do not. They will lean into their narcissism and accuse you of not having a sense of humour and ultimately fall back on the “Freedom of speech” thing. Freedom of speech is a whole other discussion but ultimately Freedom of Speech has never been threatened, at least not in the way some would have it. I’m more concerned with the crackdown on peaceful protest than I am with someone justifiably and with validity being called out for their prejudices.

You are free to say whatever you want, wherever you want. What you are not free from are the consequences of your actions when you are called out. Fewer and fewer people are prepared to be the punchline to low-rent, thoughtless comedians who only ever shoot for dead fish in a barrel.

I’m Irish and our love language is abuse. We can take it as much as we can dish it out but it needs to be clever and good. You’d get in more bother for shite banter than you would for being insulting. That said there is a time and a place and the second someone is clear that they are uncomfortable with it then back off. Back RIGHT off. Too many folk “Love winding people up”. If you are one of these people then know when enough is enough and have the good grace to back off. Otherwise you’re just a bully. Yes you are

I’ve never bought a ticket to go and see Jimmy Carr. It’s just not my bag. What I would never do would be to call for him to be cancelled, or anyone for that matter. I would encourage people to do a bit of due diligence before attending a comedy gig. Before you buy a ticket to someone you haven’t seen before check them out first. With few variations, comedians will have stuff up on YouTube or other platforms. Check them out, decide whether you would like them or not and base your decision on that. You do not, however, have the right to complain about being offended at a comedy gig. Even more so if you’re at an open mic night. There’s no way of checking so you get what you get for your tenner.

You always have the option of not going.

Make your decision for you but don’t expect others to make the same choices. That’s narcissistic, that is.