Original article:
What is the world coming to when comedians have to apologise for every comment they make? On Saturday night Alan Carr dedicated his 2008 Comedy Award to Karen Matthews. Carr joked “Oh yeah, she would be my dream guest. I think she’s a gay icon. People like a bit of rough don’t they?”
He then was made to apologise… but why? It was obviously ironic so what makes comedians feel they have to justify everything they say in public?
The MP for Dewsbury, Karen Matthews’ home town, called Carr “sick and insensitive”. Mr Malik said the timing of the remarks could not have been worse. “I think Alan Carr can be funny on occasion but I think last night he really let himself down. I think most people think it to be both sick and insensitive and people will be disgusted with him at a time when many people are looking very closely at the comic/comedian profession anyway.”
Really? And when was it an MPs remit to decide what is tasteful and what isn’t? And why has Britain suddenly become so uber-sensitive about issues such as this? Maybe I’m wrong but I assumed we lived in a democracy and people have the freedom to express their views without having to apologise everytime they say something slighty ‘alternative’.
A couple of years ago I went to see Joan Rivers who did a short 30-second sketch about Gwyneth Paltrow which ended in Rivers calling her a ‘c*&t’. Did Joan apologise for this? No.
It really is a sad day for British comedy when Americans are more cutting edge.
Re-written article:
The recent British comedy awards were steeped in controversy this weekend with Jonathan Ross pulling out of the host’s job after his three month suspension for his lewd behaviour on fellow comedian Russell Brand’s radio show. The controversy deepened when Brand won the award for Best Stand-Up act then he proceeded to dedicate his award to the absent Ross. To make things worse, Alan Carr, another controversial comedian, caused some upset when he dedicated his award to Karen Matthews. After the upset caused by Brand and Ross, Carr was made to apologize. The MP for Dewsbury, Karen Matthews’ home town, called Carr ”sick and insensitive”. Mr Malik said the timing of the remarks could not have been worse. “I think Alan Carr can be funny on occasion but I think last night he really let himself down. I think most people think it to be both sick and insensitive and people will be disgusted with him at a time when many people are looking very closely at the comic/comedian profession anyway.” It was wise for Carr to nip this in the bud before it ran too far out of control and went the same way as the Brand-Ross debacle. Although it does raise the debate: Since when should a comedian apologize for something they earn a living doing?
