Frankie Boyle vs. The Daily Mirror

Einhard · 16-10-2012 5:24pm

[-0-] wrote: »

If Matthew Woods can be locked up for paraphrasing a joke from sickipedia, something he never created, then surely Boyle can be accused of being a racist based on the 'jokes' he created.

Matthew Woods shouldn't have been locked up.

Fighting Irish · 16-10-2012 5:29pm

dark crystal wrote: »

http://www.digitalspy.ie/media/news/a430781/frankie-boyle-accuses-the-mirror-of-serious-libel-after-racist-tag.html

Personally I find it rather amusing that a comedian who bases much of his comedy on hurling insults at other people, takes such offence when someone does the same to him. Still, the printed word seems to be much more of a legal minefield than the verbal kind.

Did The Mirror have a point calling Boyle racist, or should comedians be free to tell any joke they want without being labelled as sexist/racist/homophobic by the press?

I think the outcome of this case will be very interesting.

Frankie says everything on stage in humour, the mirror flat out called him a racist, there's a difference

It could damage his career

Fighting Irish · 16-10-2012 5:31pm

nocoverart wrote: »

He's a typical comedian that loves to throw out insults that frequently step the mark, but anything remotely negative back and he clams up like the little biyatch he is.... OH and he probably has the most punchable face on TV. Apart from that he's quite funny

:rolleyes:

super_furry · 16-10-2012 5:32pm

Hal Decks wrote: »

John Terry and Luis Suarez are two individuals who have recently been convicted of using racial language but both were deemed to be not racist.

Neither of them were convicted. John Terry was found not guilty and Luis Suarez never even made it to court, so flimsy was the evidence.

Ash.J.Williams · 16-10-2012 5:33pm

it's simple....he's either a racist or he's not....

He is not

/end thread

AnonoBoy · 16-10-2012 5:35pm

A lot of people seem to have awful trouble understanding that context is everything in how a joke should be interpreted.

WhimSock · 16-10-2012 5:38pm

I'm looking at the man in the Mirror. I'm akskin him to change his wayss.

St.Spodo · 16-10-2012 5:40pm

There is a difference between making a racist joke and making a joke which hits upon the audience's existing awareness of racial stereotypes. It's also important to put it in a broader context; Boyle has joked about the Scottish, the Irish, the English, the Americans and so on with regularity. He jokes about minorities and the infirm in a similar vein and this is what affords him that ''shocked'' response from the audience which ultimately makes a lot of people laugh.

Mr. Rager · 16-10-2012 9:32pm

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I don't believe he's a racist. However I genuinely believe he is a psychopath. That word conjures up images of serial killers, but it can simply mean someone who has no empathy for others or has no remorse for how his words or actions make others feel.

Sociopath, no?

Amalgam · 16-10-2012 9:46pm

I've never seen him as racist, I also doubt he's a sociopath etc.. He is offensive, his humour is very raw, very Scottish too, I have to say.

He does a hilarious routine about the bigoted woman that approached Gordon Brown on a pre-election walkabout.

People are so so snobby when it comes to him, his Seb Coe joke during the Olympics was hilarious. The amount of nose pinching and mock upset over one of his very very slight jokes was amusing to witness.. and he's spot on with his reaction to it.

"After all the trials they've gone through, these Paralympians face their greatest challenge in trying to not look bored by Seb Coe."

As he put it: "Nobody thinks it's a good thing to laugh at the disabled. But it is a genuine problem that we're not allowed to laugh with the disabled."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19439270

WindSock · 16-10-2012 9:49pm

He's doing a gig in Dublin the same night as Chris Brown, and donating the proceeds to Irish Women's Shelters.

See? Not a racist. Fair play to 'im.

Blondini · 16-10-2012 10:29pm

"Racist Comedian"

How fcukin dare they?

He's not a comedian.

Good Read here:

http://libertymagazine.co.uk/2011/11/boyle-vs-sadowitz-the-mechanics-of-sick-comedy/

Amalgam · 16-10-2012 10:30pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

As much as I can't stand him, I couldn't call him a racist. He doesn't give a fúck about what he says. None of it holds any value to him at all. He just picks on any group he feels like. Not out of any form of malice, or with any intention to get a point across about that group. He just does it because he can. That's the reason why I find him dull. He has no attachment to his comedy at all.

That's his weakness. I can watch his routine maybe once, a choice joke maybe twice, but that's it, I've got whatever momentary satisfaction I can get out of it.

A comedian like Dave Allen on the other hand, I could watch say.. his routine on Banks and Banking.. seen it many times, know what's coming, yet still get a laugh out of it, years later.

Fighting Irish · 16-10-2012 11:50pm

Amalgam wrote: »

That's his weakness. I can watch his routine maybe once, a choice joke maybe twice, but that's it, I've got whatever momentary satisfaction I can get out of it.

A comedian like Dave Allen on the other hand, I could watch say.. his routine on Banks and Banking.. seen it many times, know what's coming, yet still get a laugh out of it, years later.

meh

nacimroc · 17-10-2012 12:06am

Before he was a comedian he worked with psychiatric patients, he had a drink and drug problem, he is ginger, Scottish and absolutely rips the **** out of all of them in his "jokes" because they are JOKES!!!!

Half the people on here as as bad as the mirror if they miss the point that jokes are to make people laugh, not actual facts meant to abuse!

I see the Irish have started to catch up with the English PC brigades and get offended on everyone else's behalf!

Armin_Tamzarian · 17-10-2012 12:11am

nacimroc wrote: »

Before he was a comedian he worked with psychiatric patients, he had a drink and drug problem, he is ginger, Scottish and absolutely rips the **** out of all of them in his "jokes" because they are JOKES!!!!

Half the people on here as as bad as the mirror if they miss the point that jokes are to make people laugh, not actual facts meant to abuse!

I see the Irish have started to catch up with the English PC brigades and get offended on everyone else's behalf!

You're right, I don't want to live in that world.
FFS, making a joke about someone based on their race not racism.
If you're going to take the plss out of someone you usually start with whatever it is that stands out about them.
When I lived in England people constantly made Irish jokes at my expense.
They weren't racist, they were being funny, it used to make me laugh.

bnt · 17-10-2012 11:53am

I read those disputed "racist" quotes, and they were clearly him speaking as a satirical character. Compare Boyle with this routine from Bill Hicks about the LA Riots. He starts with some facts then veers off in to satirical territory. Was he a racist?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGMmqvWavDM

summerskin · 17-10-2012 12:17pm

Inevitable Bill Hicks clip is inevitable.

jmayo · 17-10-2012 12:27pm

dark crystal wrote: »

http://www.digitalspy.ie/media/news/a430781/frankie-boyle-accuses-the-mirror-of-serious-libel-after-racist-tag.html

Personally I find it rather amusing that a comedian who bases much of his comedy on hurling insults at other people, takes such offence when someone does the same to him. Still, the printed word seems to be much more of a legal minefield than the verbal kind.

Did The Mirror have a point calling Boyle racist, or should comedians be free to tell any joke they want without being labelled as sexist/racist/homophobic by the press?

I think the outcome of this case will be very interesting.

He better hope there are no Kerry Katona fans on the jury.

old hippy · 17-10-2012 12:31pm

nacimroc wrote: »

Before he was a comedian he worked with psychiatric patients, he had a drink and drug problem, he is ginger, Scottish and absolutely rips the **** out of all of them in his "jokes" because they are JOKES!!!!

Half the people on here as as bad as the mirror if they miss the point that jokes are to make people laugh, not actual facts meant to abuse!

I see the Irish have started to catch up with the English PC brigades and get offended on everyone else's behalf!

It's Fintan time!

We have now reached the point where every goon with a grievance, every bitter bigot, merely has to place the prefix, 'I know this is not politically correct, but...' in front of the usual string of insults in order to be not just safe from criticism, but actually a card, a lad, even a hero. Conversely, to talk about poverty and inequality, to draw attention to the reality that discrimination and injustice are still facts of life, is to commit the sin of political correctness. Anti-PC has become the latest cover for creeps. It is a godsend for every curmudgeon and crank, from fascists to the merely smug.

alphabeat · 17-10-2012 12:38pm

hes a raw , twisted and hard headed comic , but no racist .

hes also hilarious , and very quick minded.

I hope he wins

old hippy · 17-10-2012 12:41pm

alphabeat wrote: »

hes a raw , twisted and hard headed comic , but no racist .

hes also hilarious , and very quick minded.

I hope he wins

I don't really get his humour. He's offensive, sure but I just feel he's out to shock half the time rather than be some kind of malevolent force.

--Kaiser-- · 17-10-2012 1:03pm

Brilliant comedian, seeing him later on this year. Watching him deal with a heckler is almost frightening

ancapailldorcha · 17-10-2012 1:23pm

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Brilliant comedian, seeing him later on this year. Watching him deal with a heckler is almost frightening

Went to see him a few weeks ago. He's as brilliant as he ever was and he tore the only heckler at the show apart at the end for a good 5 minutes.

AnonoBoy · 17-10-2012 1:30pm

summerskin wrote: »

Inevitable Bill Hicks clip is inevitable.

At least it wasn't in a thread on pot though - nice to see a bit of variance!

Sergeant · 17-10-2012 1:38pm

summerskin wrote: »

Inevitable Bill Hicks clip is inevitable.

The Stewart Lee clip is becoming more prevalent recently. One of the clips where Stewart discusses the 'metaness' of his comedy.

--Kaiser-- · 17-10-2012 1:41pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Went to see him a few weeks ago. He's as brilliant as he ever was and he tore the only heckler at the show apart at the end for a good 5 minutes.

One particularly good putdown (couldn't find it on Youtube)

Frankie: Any questions at this point
Heckler: Yeah, did you ever think of going to Specsavers?
Frankie: Yes. I was there last week. I went with your mum. She's a wee bit c*ck-eyed, after I stuck my c*ck into both her eyes. Any more questions?

AnonoBoy · 17-10-2012 2:11pm

Sergeant wrote: »

The Stewart Lee clip is becoming more prevalent recently. One of the clips where Stewart discusses the 'metaness' of his comedy.

The Political Correctness gone mad one is pretty common too (I'm guilty of posting it myself once or twice I think!)

telecaster · 17-10-2012 2:29pm

WindSock wrote: »

He's doing a gig in Dublin the same night as Chris Brown, and donating the proceeds to Irish Women's Shelters.

Are you saying he's prejudiced against non-Irish Men who don't have Housing issues?

WindSock · 17-10-2012 3:14pm

telecaster wrote: »

Are you saying he's prejudiced against non-Irish Men who don't have Housing issues?

Yes. He *really* hates Chris Brown

--Kaiser-- · 17-10-2012 3:27pm

WindSock wrote: »

Yes. He *really* hates Chris Brown

I think Chris Brown tweeted something like the following:
"I think skateboarding and break-dancing should be Olympic sports"

To which Frankie replied:
"What about inter-gender boxing? You might get a medal in that one"

bnt · 18-10-2012 12:00pm

summerskin wrote: »

Inevitable Bill Hicks clip is inevitable.

Yet it took 5 pages before someone did it ... and still no-one got the point.

ScumLord · 19-10-2012 1:42pm

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

I think Chris Brown tweeted something like the following:
"I think skateboarding and break-dancing should be Olympic sports"

To which Frankie replied:
"What about inter-gender boxing? You might get a medal in that one"

I love how it's impossible to read Frankie Boyle quotes without hearing it in his accent in your head.

Guy:Incognito · 19-10-2012 2:15pm

Brain Stroking wrote: »

Why would he say it about any of the public's sons? If you are referring to Jordan, Boyle's jokes are, in my opinion and i'm sure a lot of other's, a comment on Jordan's shameless pushing of every one of her son's life moments into the media. Taking him literally shows you aint getting it. No harm though, it is an acquired taste

A joke about how she needed Alex (cant remember his 2nd name, the MMA guy) around so that the son would'nt overpower and rape her is about her shameless pushing of her sons life moments into the media?

Gee Bag · 19-10-2012 2:36pm

Blondini wrote: »

"Racist Comedian"

How fcukin dare they?

He's not a comedian.

Good Read here:

http://libertymagazine.co.uk/2011/11/boyle-vs-sadowitz-the-mechanics-of-sick-comedy/[/QUOTE]

That article was complete and utter psudo-intellectual student bollocks.

cowzerp · 19-10-2012 3:10pm

Not saying he is or isn't racist but saying "it is a joke" is a bs excuse for bigots and mouthpieces to get away with saying stuff they wouldn't say to peoples faces.

Shock factor jokes are often not funny and are just done to offend and to create a reaction, Often the offense is not even meant but the offended people are still left hurting.

Mocha Joe · 19-10-2012 3:47pm

ScumLord wrote: »

I love how it's impossible to read Frankie Boyle quotes without hearing it in his accent in your head.

Why on earth would you love that?

ancapailldorcha · 19-10-2012 4:16pm

cowzerp wrote: »

Not saying he is or isn't racist but saying "it is a joke" is a bs excuse for bigots and mouthpieces to get away with saying stuff they wouldn't say to peoples faces.

Shock factor jokes are often not funny and are just done to offend and to create a reaction, Often the offense is not even meant but the offended people are still left hurting.

Surely the best thing to do would be to ignore it then. Rising to it gives people like him validation. I like Frankie Boyle but if he said something anti-Irish I'd ignore it. I find Mrs. Brown's Boys to be a very derogatory portrayal of the Irish but I can accept that it exists and people like it without sending letters to the BBC and moaning.

ScumLord · 19-10-2012 4:21pm

cowzerp wrote: »

Not saying he is or isn't racist but saying "it is a joke" is a bs excuse for bigots and mouthpieces to get away with saying stuff they wouldn't say to peoples faces.

Shock factor jokes are often not funny and are just done to offend and to create a reaction, Often the offense is not even meant but the offended people are still left hurting.

I think there's far to many people looking to get offended on other peoples behalf. There's people getting offended when the joke has little to do with them or anyone they know, they just don't like it beings said. There is a style of joking that uses the shock value of a particular mindset to satire that particular mind set.

Comedians can play an important role in getting society to look at itself in a new way.

Gee Bag · 19-10-2012 4:25pm

ScumLord wrote: »

I think there's far to many people looking to get offended on other peoples behalf. There's people getting offended when the joke has little to do with them or anyone they know, they just don't like it beings said. There is a style of joking that uses the shock value of a particular mindset to satire that particular mind set.

Comedians can play an important role in getting society to look at itself in a new way.

I think the highlighted comment is possibly offensive to blind people.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Headshot · 22-10-2012 2:56pm

Go wan frankie

Allyall · 22-10-2012 3:38pm

Just read it there..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20033097

I thought he would have some smart quip on twitter

Nothing. Just

I'm very happy with the jury's decision and their unanimous rejection of the Mirror's allegation that I am a racist.

Fair play to him. Glad he won, and done beat that rag. That is probably one of the worst papers, worse then the sun, the star and the herald..

Cienciano · 22-10-2012 4:09pm

Allyall wrote: »

Just read it there..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20033097

I thought he would have some smart quip on twitter

Nothing. Just

Fair play to him. Glad he won, and done beat that rag. That is probably one of the worst papers, worse then the sun, the star and the herald..

I notice you didn't include the daily mail. Still the worst newspaper out there!

old hippy · 22-10-2012 5:29pm

Fair's fair. Now if only he'd tell a few decent jokes

Capt'n Midnight · 22-10-2012 10:17pm

At the close of the trial of Frankie Boyle, who had been accused of being a 'racist comedian', the jurors took just 3 hours to decide he was 'not guilty', on both counts.

nacimroc · 22-10-2012 11:59pm

For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, I thought this might be relevant to this topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMlIdZOc1bQ

WindSock · 23-10-2012 1:17am

#'...Aand the allwhitejury agreeed...'#

King Of Wishful Thinking · 23-10-2012 3:03am

He may or may not be racist but one thing is for sure, he's a one trick pony - if it wasn't for his shock factor gags, he wouldn't have anywhere near the following that he has. On Mock The Week, the only time he could compete with his fellow comedians with witty ad-libs, is when they were below the belt, cross the line etc etc. If he was Irish, what he says would not be tolerated and so not sure why we let it slide otherwise.

His jokes regarding the UK Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington for example, were seriously classless.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jul/30/frankie-boyle-versus-rebecca-adlington

I'll defend his right to make those jokes all day long but I also defend my right to call him a fcuking twat, as that is what he undoubtedly is.

Canis Lupus · 23-10-2012 7:26am

King Of Wishful Thinking wrote: »

He may or may not be racist but one thing is for sure, he's a one trick pony - if it wasn't for his shock factor gags, he wouldn't have anywhere near the following that he has. On Mock The Week, the only time he could compete with his fellow comedians with witty ad-libs, is when they were below the belt, cross the line etc etc. If he was Irish, what he says would not be tolerated and so not sure why we let it slide otherwise.

His jokes regarding the UK Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington for example, were seriously classless.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jul/30/frankie-boyle-versus-rebecca-adlington

I'll defend his right to make those jokes all day long but I also defend my right to call him a fcuking twat, as that is what he undoubtedly is.

Well he's not a racist according to a court of law.

Comedy is personal. I like his humour. The one about Rebecca "She looks like someone who's looking at themselves in the back of a spoon." had me giggling for ages.

jill_valentine · 23-10-2012 7:33am

King Of Wishful Thinking wrote: »

He may or may not be racist but one thing is for sure, he's a one trick pony - if it wasn't for his shock factor gags, he wouldn't have anywhere near the following that he has. On Mock The Week, the only time he could compete with his fellow comedians with witty ad-libs, is when they were below the belt, cross the line etc etc. If he was Irish, what he says would not be tolerated and so not sure why we let it slide otherwise.

His jokes regarding the UK Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington for example, were seriously classless.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jul/30/frankie-boyle-versus-rebecca-adlington

I'll defend his right to make those jokes all day long but I also defend my right to call him a fcuking twat, as that is what he undoubtedly is.

It was cruel, no doubt. However - having seen some of his stand up, he's an undeniably talented comedian. The shock factor is a garnish and he relies on it far too much at times, but he's a genuinely clever guy with a fierce quick wit.

He's got the kind of unremittingly grim worldview I tend to associate with guys who get themselves in awful trouble and then die relatively young, but I do maintain it's unfair to put him in the same bracket as comedians who only have shock value in their favour.

Frankie Boyle vs. The Daily Mirror

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