John Cleese will no longer perform at university campuses over political correctness

BigJackC

John Cleese said he will no longer perform or give talks at university campuses because political correctness has taken over.


The Monty Python star revealed that he has been advised not to perform to students as the fear of offending has expanded so far that any kind of criticism is now seen as "cruel".


Mr Cleese said it is down to people who cannot control their emotions, so seek to control others, and worries that it could lead to a society like that in the iconic dystopian Orwell Novel.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12136295/Monty-Python-star-John-Cleese-will-no-longer-perform-at-university-campuses-as-political-correctness-kills-comedy.html

Political correctness shouldn't even exist in comedy. Comedy is a very important part of our civilization and it must be free from political correctness or it loses a lot of its purpose.

It's pretty simple, if you don't want to hear what a comedian says, then don't go to their show and realise that the world doesn't revolve around you.

strelok

BigJackC wrote: »

It's pretty simple, if you don't want to hear what a comedian says, then don't go to their show and realise that the world doesn't revolve around you.

that's exactly what someone with white/male/cis/neurotypical privilege would say

Dirty Dingus McGee

Didn't Jerry Seinfeld do the same thing last year.

I don't think Cleese offended anyone apart from people with a good sense of humour. Some of his film choices were just excruciating.

I think he might be using this to cloak the reality, no one wants to go because he has been irrelevant and unfunny for over 30 years now, not because he might cause offence.

Tigger

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Didn't Jerry Seinfeld do the same thing last year.

No it was Kramer

Oranage2

Places like colleges should be PC, the college could most likely subsidize a lot of the comedians fee. His own private show and venue then he should be able to say what he wants.

Tell me how

strelok wrote:

that's exactly what someone with white/male/cis/neurotypical privilege would say

strelok wrote:

that's exactly what someone with white/male/cis/neurotypical privilege would say

That's exactly the type of thing another stereotype would say...

Buona Fortuna

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't think Cleese offended anyone apart from people with a good sense of humour. Some of his film choices were just excruciating.

I think he might be using this to cloak the reality, no one wants to go because he has been irrelevant and unfunny for over 30 years now, not because he might cause offence.

Yep. He's been dining out on Monty Python and Fawlty Towers for 30 odd years.

Time for the pipe and slippers John.

Buona Fortuna

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Yep. He's been dining out on Monty Python and Fawlty Towers for 30 odd years.

Time for the pipe and slippers John.

And most Monty Python stuff has dated very badly. Although it would be crass to overlook its place in comedy. But silly walks, effeminate lumberjacks and dead parrots...even within a decade we were watching them and thinking "we were told this was funny, someone stick the Eddie Murphy video back on".

LDN_Irish

I never found the dead parrot sketch funny and stopped watching Fawlty Towers around the same time I stopped watching Chuckle Brothers. I'm surprised that's a popular opinion on this thread because when I've said it out loud people have lost it.

LDN_Irish

LDN_Irish wrote: »

I never found the dead parrot sketch funny and stopped watching Fawlty Towers around the same time I stopped watching Chuckle Brothers. I'm surprised that's a popular opinion on this thread because when I've said it out loud people have lost it.

I thought MP was mostly unfunny, I can't think of one sketch that made me laugh. Films like the Life of Brian had some good momemts maybe. I thought Fawlty Towers was good but overwrought.

But still much better than that most sacred of comedies, Only Fools and Horses. A guy falls over in a bar...everyone bursts out laughing...it's just lame slapstick, they did it better in silent films 60 years before that..l

suicide_circus

Except its not just tired irrelevant old John Cleese that is saying this

And I agree with him, it is about control, but this time the fascist have swapped their jackboots for ironic large framed glasses

Ave Sodalis

I'm starting to think that those screaming about PC gone mad are becoming more hysterical than those who get offended by everything. It's all just a phase though and as with all phases, it will pass and there will be something else for people to whinge about.

The Backwards Man

sup_dude wrote: »

I'm starting to think that those screaming about PC gone mad are becoming more hysterical than those who get offended by everything. It's all just a phase though and as with all phases, it will pass and there will be something else for people to whinge about.

It was ever thus. Hate filled cnuts throw their toys out of the pram at any obstacles restricting them spewing their bile. The rest of us just get on with our lives.

my friend

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Didn't Jerry Seinfeld do the same thing last year.

Yes, John must be short on material

One eyed Jack

The Backwards Man wrote: »

It was ever thus. Hate filled cnuts throw their toys out of the pram at any obstacles restricting them spewing their bile. The rest of us just get on with our lives.

As John Cleese himself observed many years ago now -

Why Do We Fall

I'll give an opinion for better or worse so I couldn't be described as PC, but everytime I hear a comedian bemoan it, it sounds to me like the cries of someone who's act is no longer up to scratch and cannot adapt.

Boskowski

Maybe you guys just don't get it? MP was/is fantastic and so are most of their films. Don't think they have dated badly at all. A lot of it is off the wall, was even more off the wall back then. Life of Brian, Meaning of Life, great stuff. Faulty Towers is a bit, well, English, people being really very nasty to each other and while it had its moments I can't say I liked it too much.

As for the PC gone mad sh1t, well it has but who cares? Like someone else said it will pass. Only concern I have is the people raised in that vain and embracing it will probably walked all over once they leave their 'safe spaces' and find out what a place the real world is. That place with wars, torture, rapes, hunger, disease, humans & animals killed for fun etcpp. Because not talking about it and banning it from our cocoons won't make those things go away. Would be nice if it did, but unfortunaltey it won't.

suicide_circus

The Backwards Man wrote: »

It was ever thus. Hate filled cnuts throw their toys out of the pram at any obstacles restricting them spewing their bile. The rest of us just get on with our lives.

John Cleese - hate filled cünt.

The Backwards Man

suicide_circus wrote: »

John Cleese - hate filled cünt.

I don't see John Cheese whining on this thread. What's his username?

Halloween Jack

Love Cleese, love Python and fawlty towers, but we all know he'll perform anywhere that will have him the next time he gets divorced and needs a few bob;)

Menas

I doubt the students will be moaning about a 76 year old refusing to play their gigs.

suicide_circus

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I don't see John Cheese whining on this thread. What's his username?

Care to name the hate filled cünts on this thread?

Buona Fortuna

suicide_circus wrote: »

Care to name the hate filled cünts on this thread?

Oh myyyy you seem to have dropped your gauntlet.

suicide_circus

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Oh myyyy you seem to have dropped your gauntlet.

Are you his man-at-arms? Let the man spoof his own battles

Buona Fortuna

suicide_circus wrote: »

Are you his man-at-arms? Let the man spoof his own battles

Sorry didn't realise you were having a private thing.

BunkMoreland

Boskowski wrote: »

Maybe you guys just don't get it?

What's to get? There's nothing complex about them to "get".

I was told I just don't " get" Mrs Brown's Boys by the same guy that loves Monty Python and Only Fools and Horses.

Comedy for simpletons.

The Backwards Man

suicide_circus wrote: »

Care to name the hate filled cünts on this thread?

Na, they don't need any extra publicity from me.

SterlingArcher

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Sorry didn't realise you were having a private thing.

Yes suicide now has a hard on for an argument with backwards. and you were being a c,ockblock.

Tensions and hangovers are running high.

John Cleese needs to get over it. Doesn't he know he will be long dead when it gets totally ridiculous .wheres I will have to put up with a stint in a cell for winking at the opposite sex.

Boskowski

suicide_circus wrote: »

John Cleese - hate filled cünt.

While on the other hand your little one liner screams 'lovely nice balanced person here' at me. Bit ironic isn't it?

galljga1

BunkMoreland wrote: »

What's to get? There's nothing complex about them to "get".

I was told I just don't " get" Mrs Brown's Boys by the same guy that loves Monty Python and Only Fools and Horses.

Comedy for simpletons.

Well I for one am delighted to declare that I just don't 'get' Mrs Brown's Boys. It is puerile rubbish.

Boskowski

BunkMoreland wrote: »

What's to get? There's nothing complex about them to "get".

I was told I just don't " get" Mrs Brown's Boys by the same guy that loves Monty Python and Only Fools and Horses.

Comedy for simpletons.

Well anyone who puts Monty Pythons and Ms Browns Boys (argh) in the same sentence obviously doesn't get it. Now I'm not saying every single MP joke out there is deep and meaningful, some of it is just stupid and meant to be, but surely you can't compare these two. Monty Pythons were deeply rebellious and satyrical and critical of the encrusted old empire generation and their time in general where Ms Browns Boys is just a fella with a woman's clothes on using a lot of bad language. But then maybe I don't get Ms Browns Boys.

Boom_Bap

I was listening to a Joe Rogan podcast recently...as well as being a commentator on the UFC, he is a stand up comedian. They went through a massive list one time of comedians that refuse to play universities now because there are too many rules for what can be said and not said.
So a comedian has to re-write their routine on short notice dependant on the venue.
And secondly, the backlash they get on social media if they say one thing that doesn't agree with one person. It only takes one person to get some traction on social media.

Buona Fortuna

Yes BB, but its also probably a good get out for a 76y/o who has probably had his best days and may be stuggling for material / lack of invites - who knows what.

Oh fcuk did I just upset the ageists.:(

Pat Mustard

SterlingArcher wrote: »

wheres I will have to put up with a stint in a cell for winking at the opposite sex.

Winking, eh?

freedominacup

[Deleted User] wrote: »

"we were told this was funny, someone stick the Eddie Murphy video back on".

Especially if you want the offenseometer to actually explode.

RayM

I don't know how people can accuse John Cleese of dining out on his past success...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9tSN0178Us

kneemos

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I was listening to a Joe Rogan podcast recently...as well as being a commentator on the UFC, he is a stand up comedian. They went through a massive list one time of comedians that refuse to play universities now because there are too many rules for what can be said and not said.
So a comedian has to re-write their routine on short notice dependant on the venue.
And secondly, the backlash they get on social media if they say one thing that doesn't agree with one person. It only takes one person to get some traction on social media.

Anarchy RIP.

Azalea

Boskowski wrote: »

While on the other hand your little one liner screams 'lovely nice balanced person here' at me. Bit ironic isn't it?

They were being ironic when they said that.
It was in response to the post about people using the "political correctness fascism" trope about being criticised for saying stuff that would made Alf Garnett blush. I hate excessive political correctness myself, but I agree that line does also get used by people who just want to spew any auld vitriol.

I love Fawlty Towers though. Monty Python... of its time mostly, but some gems.

Mesrine65

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I don't see John Cheese whining on this thread. What's his username?

suicide_circus wrote: »

Care to name the hate filled cünts on this thread?

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Oh myyyy you seem to have dropped your gauntlet.

suicide_circus wrote: »

Are you his man-at-arms? Let the man spoof his own battles

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Sorry didn't realise you were having a private thing.

Comedy gold right here in AH :pac::pac::pac:

Nodin

Pat Mustard wrote: »

Winking, eh?

....wasn't with the eyes in his head though.

Mesrine65

Nodin wrote: »

....wasn't with the eyes in his head though.

Wee Willy Winky

Shurimgreat

I am probably alone on this thread thinking that Cleese is funny, was funny and is still funny. My understanding is he's in semi retirement these days and did a tour only to pay off an ex wife. When he appears on chat shows he is usually quite funny.

As for political correctness, Cleese has been a victim more than most. The Life of Brian, despite being one of the funniest films of all time, I don't believe was ever shown on terrestrial TV here or in the UK, due to its satire of religion. Cleese knows only too well that satire risks offending one group or another. He's not willing to change to suit the PC brigade nor should he have to.

Anyways, its not Cleese alone that is no longer performing, its a wider issue. You can't say anything on college campuses these days without someone being outraged at it.

The Randy Riverbeast

Any comedian who does this is as bad as the PC whiners. When a child throws a tantrum you don't give them what they want. There are plenty of comedians and comedy shows which are known for being some of the least PC things in the world and they do fine.

I have yet to hear of any comedian refusing to do a show in colleges that I would go see anyway.

Richard Hillman

I think he is spot on about how people are trying to control people. They use faux-outrage to try and manipulate people into doing things.

I wish this was highlighted more. Since the Internet became accessible to everybody, your Twitter Mobs and Fart-sniffing lefties having being using Faux-Outrage to control people.

Azalea

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I think he is spot on about how people are trying to control people. They use faux-outrage to try and manipulate people into doing things.

I wish this was highlighted more.

You're having a laugh obviously. It's highlighted day in, day out.

Austria!

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Yes BB, but its also probably a good get out for a 76y/o who has probably had his best days and may be stuggling for material / lack of invites - who knows what.

Oh fcuk did I just upset the ageists.:(

I really doubt JC is struggling for a lack of invites. He's one of the most famous comedians in the world.

Mint Aero

It's been a number of years now since Mint Aero waged war on the PC brigade. I've truly won this battle. I've driven society into a demented spiral of PC hysteria that soon it will collapse and sh*t on itself into a mother f*ckers hole. You're welcome and God bless your testicles Mr. Cleese. One of the greatest satirist.

prinzeugen

BunkMoreland wrote: »

What's to get? There's nothing complex about them to "get".

I was told I just don't " get" Mrs Brown's Boys by the same guy that loves Monty Python and Only Fools and Horses.

Comedy for simpletons.

Bet you think Ricky Gervais is funny. If end if the pier comedy is crap why has Monty Python, One foot in the grave, only fools and horses, Peter Kay etc etc lasted longer than the ****e that is pumped out by Gervais and Michael MacIntyre.

Or do you think you are above us simpletons in intellect and everything else.

Azalea

I don't like Ricky Gervais's stand-up but Extras and Life's Too Short are hilarious.

Richard Hillman

Azalea wrote: »

You're having a laugh obviously. It's highlighted day in, day out.

As in highlighted publicly. The media are still sponsoring faux-outrage and manipulation of people that do not tow their strict line of liberalism