While they did a good job of pointing out that American colleges are trying to turn the students into hardline communists who use violence against anyone they don't agree with and that being offensive can make you lose your job, they didn't spend any time talking about how the only way a comedian can be on tv now is if they are anti-white and/or anti-straight. They also ignored that all the online streaming services only have black and gay comedy specials. The streaming site I watched this on has hundreds of stand up specials and all the comics that are white are gay. It's pretty funny to hear Lisa Lampanelli say that they(offensive comics) are never going away and less than 3 years later she retired from stand up because she couldn't get any work. Stand up comedy is dead and America is next.
15 Reviews
definitely flawed, but still a vital comedy doc in this day and age
framptonhollis20 August 2017
In the wake of recent controversies dealing with free speech, I decided it was fitting to at last watch this documentary that has been heavily appealing to me for quite some time. As a fervent supporter of free speech, the messages contained within this film play a heavily important role in our modern day society. There is still hope for comedians despite the ridiculous cries of outrage that seem to pointlessly be sweeping the county day by day. Hypersensitivity does no one any good, and this film knows that and begs for our society to rethink the path they are going down. A disturbing amount of people refuse to oppose hate speech laws, and universities thrive on tearing down the values that made them respectable to the liberal minded in the first place. Liberals were once the great free speech figures, but the road they have followed has led them to the polar opposite of such a reputation. This documentary does have its technical flaws, but it is still entertaining as hell, its messages are brilliant and well spoken, its hilarious at times thanks to the cast of comedians, and its also a shed of light for the future of free speech.
Important Look at State of Comedy and Outrage in 2016
courtneysoliday-697897 October 2016
Loved this. I thought it covered an aspect of outrage culture where the people who are mad are not necessarily victims but instead just on a power trip or trying to "pat themselves on the back." The documentary covers different comedy-related incidents that resulted in outrage, all offline. I had no idea cops used to go to comedy clubs and arrest speakers for saying things like "cocksucker." "Is it safe to hold unpopular views on campus?" there are news statistics, etc.
Lost 2 stars for the typography effects at the beginning, a bit too much motion for me.
Must see for anyone who loves comedy, wants to perform or write comedy, is interested in the First Amendment and self-expression and pop culture fanatics.
Lost 2 stars for the typography effects at the beginning, a bit too much motion for me.
Must see for anyone who loves comedy, wants to perform or write comedy, is interested in the First Amendment and self-expression and pop culture fanatics.
This should be required viewing.
Java_Joe21 March 2019
Comedy, good comedy, should entertain as well as inform. And yet too often now we see comedians having to apologize for things they said in their set because the PC brigade has gotten their panties in a twist.
I don't agree with all the comedians here. Some of them I literally can't stand to listen to. But that doesn't mean I feel they need to be silenced. The problem is coming from a small group of people that think they know better than you and are doing this to protect you from things they don't want you to hear. Well I say no thank you. While I agree that some jokes aren't funny, I don't feel that there are topics that shouldn't be joked about or even better still some topics that can't be discussed in a rational manner.
Comics like Lenny Bruce challenged societal norms by using language we considered off limits back in the day. Others like George Carlin were unabashedly for free speech and skewering the sacred cows of the establishment. And that's the key here. Good comedy has always been anti-establishment. There's always been this relationship between good comedy and social norms and I don't feel that that should be a reason not to see or listen to a comedian.
There are good points to be made, on both sides mind you, but not all the points are worthy enough to enact actual change. Personally I will continue to watch these comedians I like and hope that their edge isn't dulled by too much SJW and PC backlash.
I don't agree with all the comedians here. Some of them I literally can't stand to listen to. But that doesn't mean I feel they need to be silenced. The problem is coming from a small group of people that think they know better than you and are doing this to protect you from things they don't want you to hear. Well I say no thank you. While I agree that some jokes aren't funny, I don't feel that there are topics that shouldn't be joked about or even better still some topics that can't be discussed in a rational manner.
Comics like Lenny Bruce challenged societal norms by using language we considered off limits back in the day. Others like George Carlin were unabashedly for free speech and skewering the sacred cows of the establishment. And that's the key here. Good comedy has always been anti-establishment. There's always been this relationship between good comedy and social norms and I don't feel that that should be a reason not to see or listen to a comedian.
There are good points to be made, on both sides mind you, but not all the points are worthy enough to enact actual change. Personally I will continue to watch these comedians I like and hope that their edge isn't dulled by too much SJW and PC backlash.
Social Justice is Cancer
joe-tyndall17 June 2017
The DVD finally came up in my Netflix queue. It was so on point that I watched it twice. Outrage culture has gone off the rails. In a bit over an hour, this documentary examines in part the history of censorship of comedy and where we have arrived in the last few years as the cry-bullies virtue signal their disapproval of anything that offends them or might offend someone else. So off the scale is the Social Justice Warrior need to control everything, that they are sucking the life out of the world. Comedy tells the truth, like it or not. And the truth is that people like to laugh.
This film WILL offend you....
planktonrules30 November 2016
The new documentary "Can We Take a Joke?" will almost certainly offend you as you watch it. There are a lot of obscenities and tons of politically incorrect comments and jokes in poor taste
and some of them are bound to hit your hot buttons. For instance, a few of the comedians they interview I happen to strongly dislike. So why would anyone want to see a film that makes you them mad
.and why would I recommend you give the film a try?
The film mostly concerns the recent trend towards political correctness and the rise in individual outrage and how it relates to comedians folks who are almost certain to incite folks because they often deliberately seek to offend. Much of the film looks back to Lenny Bruce and his many run-ins with the police involving free speech. It then draws a parallel to today though this free speech is not being suppressed by the government but by ourselves and our universities. When the film is making this argument, lots of very offensive comedians are featured including the likes of Lisa Lampanelli and Gilbert Gottfried. Again, as I mentioned above, these folks say offensive stuff and you will be challenged to keep watching it it's inevitable.
So am I suggesting you watch the film because I want you to be offended or insulted? Certainly not---I want to live in a world where people are civil and treat each other decently. But the documentary brings up a lot of good points despite offending the viewer and think it's important we listen and think about their message. Here are just a few of the topics brought up in the film: --Where do we draw the line with what is acceptable and what isn't? This is especially problematic because everyone has different 'hot buttons' .so what offends you may not offend your neighbor.
--The First Amendment is not necessarily the same as free speech. How you can have a First Amendment and STILL not be free to speak your mind?
--We seem to be in a 'gotcha' culture where anyone can say the wrong thing and become part of the 'villain of the week' on social media. This means folks on the left, right and center could accidentally walk into a firestorm of anger and protest.
--Where is this all going to lead? Will the United States become like Europe or Canada where you can get arrested if you say something that is construed as offensive? And, what will the world be like if this is the case?
"Can We Take a Joke?" is a challenging film and makes you think about yourself as well as your own personal comfort zone—and this is something rare in a documentary. A good documentary challenges you or your beliefs and this one sure will. Do I always agree with it? No especially when some of the comedians they interview say that nothing should be taboo when it comes to free speech. That makes me very uncomfortable, as I sure would hate to hear folks making fun of rape or cancer. But despite offending me, it did get my attention and I appreciate that.
Ironically, this film has no closed captions. I am hard of hearing and my daughter is deaf .and I guess this omission is actually a bit offensive now that I think about it.
The film mostly concerns the recent trend towards political correctness and the rise in individual outrage and how it relates to comedians folks who are almost certain to incite folks because they often deliberately seek to offend. Much of the film looks back to Lenny Bruce and his many run-ins with the police involving free speech. It then draws a parallel to today though this free speech is not being suppressed by the government but by ourselves and our universities. When the film is making this argument, lots of very offensive comedians are featured including the likes of Lisa Lampanelli and Gilbert Gottfried. Again, as I mentioned above, these folks say offensive stuff and you will be challenged to keep watching it it's inevitable.
So am I suggesting you watch the film because I want you to be offended or insulted? Certainly not---I want to live in a world where people are civil and treat each other decently. But the documentary brings up a lot of good points despite offending the viewer and think it's important we listen and think about their message. Here are just a few of the topics brought up in the film: --Where do we draw the line with what is acceptable and what isn't? This is especially problematic because everyone has different 'hot buttons' .so what offends you may not offend your neighbor.
--The First Amendment is not necessarily the same as free speech. How you can have a First Amendment and STILL not be free to speak your mind?
--We seem to be in a 'gotcha' culture where anyone can say the wrong thing and become part of the 'villain of the week' on social media. This means folks on the left, right and center could accidentally walk into a firestorm of anger and protest.
--Where is this all going to lead? Will the United States become like Europe or Canada where you can get arrested if you say something that is construed as offensive? And, what will the world be like if this is the case?
"Can We Take a Joke?" is a challenging film and makes you think about yourself as well as your own personal comfort zone—and this is something rare in a documentary. A good documentary challenges you or your beliefs and this one sure will. Do I always agree with it? No especially when some of the comedians they interview say that nothing should be taboo when it comes to free speech. That makes me very uncomfortable, as I sure would hate to hear folks making fun of rape or cancer. But despite offending me, it did get my attention and I appreciate that.
Ironically, this film has no closed captions. I am hard of hearing and my daughter is deaf .and I guess this omission is actually a bit offensive now that I think about it.
Spot on documentary...
tbuestrin23 March 2020
There is really only one place to look if you want to find those to blame for destroying a generation. College.
However, the seed of the snowflake mentality begins at home. We are raising really soft children (I have a 9 year old). From there our kids are sent thru a school system that reinforces their soft emotion filled lives. Schools (primarily high school) teach kids to go with emotion of practicality. Once they hit college it's reinforced by a overwhelmingly liberal group of professors and teachers that indoctrinate them to tune out subject matter that might hurt students feelings. And all it does is ill-prepare them for the real world where conflicting emotions can be a daily thing to deal with.
I found in my college career (undergraduate and Master's) that most of my profs were either people that had failed in the business world, or were lifelong educators...both groups live in absolute delusion of reality...nuzzled in the bosom of the College or University where tenure creates arrogance. There were a few exceptions...as there always are...but overall it was liberal brainwashing.
However, the seed of the snowflake mentality begins at home. We are raising really soft children (I have a 9 year old). From there our kids are sent thru a school system that reinforces their soft emotion filled lives. Schools (primarily high school) teach kids to go with emotion of practicality. Once they hit college it's reinforced by a overwhelmingly liberal group of professors and teachers that indoctrinate them to tune out subject matter that might hurt students feelings. And all it does is ill-prepare them for the real world where conflicting emotions can be a daily thing to deal with.
I found in my college career (undergraduate and Master's) that most of my profs were either people that had failed in the business world, or were lifelong educators...both groups live in absolute delusion of reality...nuzzled in the bosom of the College or University where tenure creates arrogance. There were a few exceptions...as there always are...but overall it was liberal brainwashing.
More relevant now than ever
resonatenow8 April 2022
"When they come after the comedians, that's when you worry" In the age of rampant censorship and forced virtue signaling, this is more important than even when it first aired. Under new cultural mandates and anti-first amendment crusaders, comedians have been targeted and cancelled for saying the quiet part out loud. Not even satire is safe from the ministry of thought police. Watch this and marvel at how much humor has changed under the dictates of the rage-filled mob.
Different time
MajBlade220 April 2022
This was made in 2015-2016things moving so fast its like old news because its so much worse now. They need to make another doc especially since gilbert Gottfried just died and catch up on these comics trying to deal now after the Trump era. As we all know it was just starting to get bad in 2015 as soon as Trump was elected it all went into over drive. I wonder what all those people that were in this movie would say now about where we are with free speech.
One Trick Pony
jake_fantom9 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is a one-note documentary, the sole point of which is that people are too easily offended by edgy humor, and that college campuses have become bastions of intolerance for free speech. I think these thoughts are probably essentially correct, but that's really not enough to make a film about. The usual suspects (edgy comics) are rounded up, or rather, filmed in their own homes, clubs and studios so they don't have to put forth much effort, and asked a series of perfunctory questions which lead to an affirmation of the film's not very controversial premise. There is a de rigueur homage to Lenny Bruce, and a lot of anecdotal storytelling about offended customers at comedy clubs. And there is plenty of predictable stuff about how the internet enables instant mass outrage at offenders du jour. Yet the documentarians never get at the essence of their issue. Despite a brief segment about the nutjobs at the Westboro "church," there is no real examination of hate speech as espoused by neo-Nazis, racists of various colors, propagandists for causes like ISIS, or presidential candidates like the short- fingered vulgarian. We are left with Penn Jillette's not very comforting reassurances that this will all be "cleaned up" pretty damn quick. I managed to make it to the very end of this piece of intellectual fluff by watching in brief installments. Unless you are similarly prepared, I suggest you seek entertainment and enlightenment elsewhere.
I'm Offended
kyivguy15 April 2022
I don't believe that people who gave this brilliant documentary bad reviews should be allowed to live. At the minimum they should be forever banned from posting an opinion. These heartless reviewers probably didn't cry when Bambi's father was killed.
Suprisingly Solid
matthewssilverhammer30 April 2022
The nature and content here are far more evocative and challenging than in most comedy docs. While it's a bit amateurish at times (especially the narration), the discussion of free speech is thoughtful; Jim Norton always surprises me, and Gottfried is just the best. Even the few talking heads I actively dislike who are highlighted here (Lampenelli, Carolla) made me wonder: do I think they should be silenced, should I fold my arms in disgust, or should I just ignore them?
This has not aged well
anarchyriot2 August 2018
There is a kernel of truth here: shame and outrage have become weaponized and there are people who exploit that to silence opposing ideas. That's true, but it's not a strong enough foundation to support most of the arguments this documentary tries to make.
The documentary awkwardly conflates legitimately funny comedians whose acts may be offensive with people who are offensive because they don't know how to be funny. It fails to distinguish comedians who invoke stereotypes to ridicule them from people who take them as absolute truths. Yes, there are people exploit outrage. But what this documentary shows is that there are many more people disingenuously pretending their sociopathic behavior is just an act or a joke.
Several scenes cover comedians or artists that intentionally set out to be offensive, yet warn their audience that the show will be offensive, and act surprised and "outraged" when people actually get offended. It begs the question: If they're being honest about trying to make people think, why give the warning? If you're actively trying to dissuade people who will get upset at material you know is upsetting from attending, aren't simply trying to set up a rally for like-minded people?
The reason for the title of this review is Jonathan Rauch's argument towards the middle of the film, in which he claims that society grows stronger when even the most hateful speech is allowed. It's understandable how that might have been appealing in 2015. But given the spike in white supremacy marches, misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia over the past three years, he'd have a tough time selling the idea that the country is stronger now that the pendulum has swung the other way.
Ultimately, the film itself rings of the same kind of hollow mock-offense it claims to abhor, and aside from some great comedians expressing legitimate concerns, ends up being mostly lackluster minds trying to cloak their lack of intellect and humanity under cultural icons like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin.
The answer to the question posed by the title is: Yes, Can You Make One?
The documentary awkwardly conflates legitimately funny comedians whose acts may be offensive with people who are offensive because they don't know how to be funny. It fails to distinguish comedians who invoke stereotypes to ridicule them from people who take them as absolute truths. Yes, there are people exploit outrage. But what this documentary shows is that there are many more people disingenuously pretending their sociopathic behavior is just an act or a joke.
Several scenes cover comedians or artists that intentionally set out to be offensive, yet warn their audience that the show will be offensive, and act surprised and "outraged" when people actually get offended. It begs the question: If they're being honest about trying to make people think, why give the warning? If you're actively trying to dissuade people who will get upset at material you know is upsetting from attending, aren't simply trying to set up a rally for like-minded people?
The reason for the title of this review is Jonathan Rauch's argument towards the middle of the film, in which he claims that society grows stronger when even the most hateful speech is allowed. It's understandable how that might have been appealing in 2015. But given the spike in white supremacy marches, misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia over the past three years, he'd have a tough time selling the idea that the country is stronger now that the pendulum has swung the other way.
Ultimately, the film itself rings of the same kind of hollow mock-offense it claims to abhor, and aside from some great comedians expressing legitimate concerns, ends up being mostly lackluster minds trying to cloak their lack of intellect and humanity under cultural icons like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin.
The answer to the question posed by the title is: Yes, Can You Make One?
A quick summary
showersjess19 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Wah wah, I can't make rape jokes or say the n-word without backlash like I could 20 years ago. People are too sensitive these days"
'Can We Take A Joke' is exactly what you'd expect. 70+ minutes of out-of-touch comedians complaining that their lazy, outdated comedy is no longer funny or relevant to a large portion of Western society. This film is not a look at the broad societal changes in comedy over the last few decades, rather a platform solely for the defense of "offensive" comedy.
The comedians interviewed chime on about 'free speech' and 'pushing the boundaries of societal norms', but the typical contradictory message echoed throughout the film is "Stand-up comedy should not be criticized, sit down and shut up!"
Save yourself the time and browse the comment section of Youtube for a few minutes.
'Can We Take A Joke' is exactly what you'd expect. 70+ minutes of out-of-touch comedians complaining that their lazy, outdated comedy is no longer funny or relevant to a large portion of Western society. This film is not a look at the broad societal changes in comedy over the last few decades, rather a platform solely for the defense of "offensive" comedy.
The comedians interviewed chime on about 'free speech' and 'pushing the boundaries of societal norms', but the typical contradictory message echoed throughout the film is "Stand-up comedy should not be criticized, sit down and shut up!"
Save yourself the time and browse the comment section of Youtube for a few minutes.
if you think it's safe, but it's not.. it.. is hell
mooohala19 February 2017
OK. so there is a part in this doc where lenny bruce is talked about as having gotten pardoned after his death. a plaque is shown. in my mind.. what this shows is this. oh.. what he did was OK, so we can do this and we can do that and it will be OK too. and what they want is for it to be OK. everyone wants what they do to be OK. they can't get around it. but God's laws, Jesus words are still totally the measuring stick. and if you break them it is called sin. so it is not OK. and if you don't repent and obey Jesus.. then hell is the result upon death. so if you think it's safe, but it's not.. it.. is hell.
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