There was a great come back by a UK comic called Frank Skinner. After a gig a young woman approached him and said "Excuse me but I think that some of your material was verging on the offensive" He replied "Sorry love but I think that the only virgin on the offensive here is you"

Humour is good for us. Good comedy often challenges stereotypes; also good for us. Don't know that it HAS to vulgar, but I surely don't mind it when it is...

Humour is good for us. Good comedy often challenges stereotypes; also good for us. Don't know that it HAS to vulgar, but I surely don't mind it when it is...

Sure, for some it is necessary. For me the best comedians are the ones who are being honest about who they are when performing. I believe that is true for all people in the creative arts. It doesn't always mean you will be really good or successful, but you will feel good about yourself. Of course l could be totally wrong. ?

Richard Pryor, Chelsea Handler, Bill Maher, Lewis Black, Wanda Sykes, Red Foxx,

yes it is the best comics are the ones who aren't affraid to cross that line Lenny Bruce was arrested multiple times for being "blue" and George Carlin made a career out of it

Comedians are often vulgar because life is so vulgar. We laugh at comedians because they are often saying the stuff we couldn't put language to.

And they can say anything they want- from apes to zebras. There are consequences to behaviors and a comedian is no exception.

My concern isn't the language used (well never mind, it is) but it's the ethics and justification behind it. Say it, own it, and suck it up if it gets you in trouble.

Yes, if that vulgarity has a point. Look at the genuis of Richard Prior and Eddie Murphy. Both masters of comedy.

Do you think anyone bothered to look up the word 'feckless' ? Or did they all just lose their collective mind (not plural-just the one), over the use of "cunt" ?

Vulgarity is subjective.
Racism isn't funny.
Calling a feckless cunt out on her tone-deafness is.

People who think calling black people apes is funny, are people I don't want to be around.

The comedian's job is to stretch the envelope of social intercourse, to test the waters of the forbidden, and to light fires under the seats of power. To poke fun at me and you. To poke fun at themselves. To scratch the underbelly of society. That they can do this while applying humor to the awkward is one of the crowning achievements of the human endeavor. They walk a narrow ridge line with sheer cliffs on either side, because society is made up of all sorts who take umbrage at the oddest things. Prudes. Religious nuts. Political wingdings. An array of hot buttons that makes the nuclear arsenal look like wet fireworks. Are there lines that should not be crossed? Sure, but I suspect that the lines are probably damned hard to see sometimes.

Their job has always been to push the boundaries of what acceptable in society. The best comedians ever were also foul mouthed sobs.

Actually the challenge for them is not to be.... clearly not all of them can

I feel comedians are the ones who define boundaries. If they didn't speak to the literal edge of tolerance, how would society know where we are at.

Define vulgar.

Totally agree with all the others. We are in a weird time in society, where mixed messages are being sent about what's "ok" and not. It's all jumbled up, and I have a feeling it's because of generational differences, a loss of appreciation for recent history, and how the internet has changed us and the minds of those who know nothing else. Some feel it's not ok to have their faults pointed out, at all...everyone gets a trophy. Is it ok for a comedian to cut someone down? I can't imagine a proper roast these days. Chapelle quit. Hell... I can't even imagine Amy Schumer style comedy coming out right now. The question is...will it ever be "ok" again, to be raunchy, abrasive, and obnoxiously outspoken? It feels opressive to think that this raunch is currently being silenced...which leads to questions like this! Sadly, what you ask is: is free speech still acceptable? And the reason we ask is that some people have made it clear that their answer is "no"...at present. ???

Yes, but not calling black people apes. That is never funny.
If you think so, you are also racist.

its just the nature of the beast but we are all adults and should know that. remember its just a joke.

All comedians have a style that defines them. Some uses vulgarity to define their comedy style.

Yes. If it was always between the lines it wouldn’t be funny.

Comedians tools are words. No words should be off limits