Disabled woman mocked by comedian - responds with video

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 7:12pm #1

Ari Shaffir is a US comedian, who recently recorded a Comedy Central special.

In it, he at one point mentions by full name another comedian, and then proceeds to attack her for being 'fat', 'annoying', and 'one-armed'.

None of what he says seems to have a punchline - he's just attacking a woman for shock value, and to appear 'edgy', though mocking a woman with a disability who isn't around to defend herself is about as 'edgy' as shooting fish in a barrel. It's cruel, witless and unfunny.

The comedian in question is Damienne Merlina.

She recorded a video response here.

I know the internet can be a cesspool of bad taste, but many of the comments on her video are truly beyond the pale.

Here's an example:

"Did fatty eat her own arm? You'd think with all that thick skin she could take a joke."

"Consider a career change (possibly a diet change too)"

"Some fat retarded bitch got offended by a comedian? What a surprise!"

Now, I defend Shaffir's right to talk about whatever he wants on stage. But I also defend the right of audiences and comedy club owners to say, "I hope you enjoyed telling that joke, because you won't ever be performing here again".

Freedom of speech is a two-way street.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 7:14pm

Comedians crossing the line and being offensive to some people the horror.

And no I have not watched the video, I don't do click bait to get view's

wupucus · 29-03-2015 7:23pm

I watched her "Reply" he is right she is fat (so am I ) annoying, and one armed - I cant tell if she smells !!

Kelly06 · 29-03-2015 7:24pm

But it wasn't just some people, he attacked an individual because of a disability. Can't be much of a comedian if he has to resort to "jokes" like this.

Ruu · 29-03-2015 7:25pm

These are mild compared to the likes of Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle.

Hande hoche! · 29-03-2015 7:26pm

He's no Sam Hyde.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 7:26pm

Ruu wrote: »

These are mild compared to the likes of Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle.

Who wants to do the Train joke :pac:

Geniass · 29-03-2015 7:26pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Comedians crossing the line and being offensive to some people the horror.

Comedy aimed at people in power or at those that get their fame from being in the public eye I get, but attacking someone that's pretty anonymous is bizarre.

It didn't seem like anybody in the audience knew her. Seemed like being a dick with a personal vendetta.

And it also broke the cardinal sin. Comedians should be funny, and not just get laughs because he makes the audience feel awkward.

One eyed Jack · 29-03-2015 7:30pm

"My first thought was to challenge him to a roast battle"?

And for all her yak about being a nice person, she two fingers the guy at the end of her video.

One as bad as the other here really. Neither of 'em can claim the right to any moral high ground.

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 7:31pm

Ruu wrote: »

These are mild compared to the likes of Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle.

By 'mild' do you mean 'unfunny'?

Because if so, I agree.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 7:31pm

Geniass wrote: »

Comedy aimed at people in power or at those that get their fame from being in the public eye I get, but attacking someone that's pretty anonymous is bizarre.

It didn't seem like anybody in the audience knew her. Seemed like being a dick with a personal vendetta.

And it also broke the cardinal sin. Comedians should be funny, and not just get laughs because he makes the audience feel awkward.

Nah I will go with 2 people that know of each other from social media, Having inflated opinions of themselves thinking everyone knows about them. Pretty simple explanation. Have you ever watched people on YT thinking their the second coming in their small fan base. One probably commented on the others YT channel or twitter or some other nonsense.

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 7:38pm

One eyed Jack wrote: »

And for all her yak about being a nice person, she two fingers the guy at the end of her video.

One as bad as the other here really. Neither of 'em can claim the right to any moral high ground.

So let me get this straight.

Ari Shaffir went on television, giving the full name of a person he knew (but the audience didn't), said they were overweight, mocked the fact that they had one arm (and said it's a reason they are unable to properly wash themselves).

Damienne Merline made a rude gesture where she raised her middle-finger at someone who had insulted her.
And you think these two things are 'as bad as each other'?

One eyed Jack · 29-03-2015 7:39pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

So let me get this straight.
Ari Shaffir went on television, giving the full name of a person he knew (but the audience didn't), said they were overweight, mocked the fact that they had one arm (and said it's a reason they are unable to properly wash themselves).
Damienne Merline made a rude gesture where she raised her middle-finger at someone who had insulted her.

And you think these two things are 'as bad as each other'?

Yes, that's exactly what I said. You have it straight.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 7:44pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

So let me get this straight.
Ari Shaffir went on television, giving the full name of a person he knew (but the audience didn't), said they were overweight, mocked the fact that they had one arm (and said it's a reason they are unable to properly wash themselves).
Damienne Merline made a rude gesture where she raised her middle-finger at someone who had insulted her.

And you think these two things are 'as bad as each other'?

:pac:

Too Tough To Die · 29-03-2015 7:51pm

Best roast ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F9M3L04ROM

Cold War Kid · 29-03-2015 7:53pm

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Yes, that's exactly what I said. You have it straight.

One's provoked though, the other is totally unprovoked.
Not that I'm saying the provoked reaction exactly covered her in glory (it certainly didn't - although only the last few seconds; up to then, there was nothing unreasonable in what she said - difficult to see her upset too) but there is a difference between the two I think.

The guy was being a completely nasty ****, I don't see any other way of looking at it. If it were tongue-in-cheek and she was in on it and they had an understanding etc etc, that would obviously be a very different thing - but it plainly wasn't the case.

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 7:54pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Comedians crossing the line and being offensive to some people the horror.

And no I have not watched the video, I don't do click bait to get view's

You don't understand how to use a possessive apostrophe either, but the look of it.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 7:57pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

You don't understand how to use a possessive apostrophe either, but the look of it.

Why is there going to be a test at the end of the forum ?

Earthhorse · 29-03-2015 8:03pm

Seems like a really dick move on his part.

dirtyden · 29-03-2015 8:07pm

Two nobody comedians. Would not be surprised if they manufactured this little storm in a teacup.

One eyed Jack · 29-03-2015 8:08pm

Feline Groovy wrote: »

One's provoked though, the other is totally unprovoked.
Not that I'm saying the provoked reaction exactly covered her in glory (it certainly didn't) but there is a difference between the two I think.

Oh for sure, and that's exactly why when I was watching her video response I thought "Fair play to her for not lowering herself to his level"...

Until she did.

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

You don't understand how to use a possessive apostrophe either, but the look of it.

And you have no right to throw stones in glass houses. Correcting other people's spelling when for all you know they could be dyslexic.

If you're going to try and claim the moral high ground on an issue, it's best you don't lower your own standards to the same level as the other person in an attempt to humiliate them in an equal fashion.

The woman made her point and I applauded and respected her measured response to another person insulting her, but when she stooped to his level - meh, bad as each other.

CiDeRmAn · 29-03-2015 8:12pm

Your man seems like a complete prick tbh
His "humour" is unintelligent and, worse still, unfunny.
She is right to be upset, having someone name check her out of the blue and abuse her for her disability and weight.
I'd kinda hoped this kinda thing was limited to English working men's clubs, with assholes like Roy Chubby Brown, but apparently not.

Its one thing to be invites to roast, to insult someone, but this is just bullying and abuse, hiding behind "art" to do it.
Its not satire, it has no wider social point.
It doesnt add to the world, its just another Bill Hicks wannabe who doesn't get it and should probably pack his little wagon up and disappear.

To attempt standup is tough, to do it with a disability is downright brave.

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 8:16pm

One eyed Jack wrote: »

And you have no right to throw stones in glass houses. Correcting other people's spelling when for all you know they could be dyslexic.

For all you know I could be dyslexic. It wouldn't change anything.

One eyed Jack wrote: »

The woman made her point and I applauded and respected her measured response to another person insulting her, but when she stooped to his level - meh, bad as each other.

If I were in her shoes, I'd have gone a lot further than merely raising my middle finger.

If I thought you were serious about comparing what she did to what he did, I'd think you were an idiot with no perspective.

That's if I thought you were serious.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 8:17pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Your man seems like a complete prick tbh
His "humour" is unintelligent and, worse still, unfunny.
She is right to be upset, having someone name check her out of the blue and abuse her for her disability and weight.
I'd kinda hoped this kinda thing was limited to English working men's clubs, with assholes like Roy Chubby Brown, but apparently not.

Its one thing to be invites to roast, to insult someone, but this is just bullying and abuse, hiding behind "art" to do it.
Its not satire, it has no wider social point.
It doesnt add to the world, its just another Bill Hicks wannabe who doesn't get it and should probably pack his little wagon up and disappear.

To attempt standup is tough, to do it with a disability is downright brave.

Plenty of disabled comedians, Fail to see how that makes one brave ? Problem with comedy is either everything is fair game or nothing is. Once you pander to one group another will pop up wanting the same. Comedy can split a room in one joke.

What you find funny I may not, What you find offensive I may not. It's all subjective.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 8:19pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

For all you know I could be dyslexic. It wouldn't change anything.

If I were in her shoes, I'd have gone a lot further than merely raising my middle finger.

If I thought you were serious about comparing what she did to what he did, I'd think you were an idiot with no perspective.

That's if I thought you were serious.

If I was you would be mocking a person with a disability.

The_Valeyard · 29-03-2015 8:19pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

By 'mild' do you mean 'unfunny'?

Because if so, I agree.

Hold up there. Jimmy Carr's one liners are alright, and Frankie Boyle is one funny f*cker

conorh91 · 29-03-2015 8:21pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

You don't understand how to use a possessive apostrophe either, but the look of it.

How badly did you want to edit this post, when you realised your mistake?

Cold War Kid · 29-03-2015 8:22pm

I wasn't aware everything or nothing is fair game in comedy. I don't think an unprovoked attack on someone (disabled/fat or not) purely malice-based, not there to defend themselves and who has never been documented as hurting anyone themselves, is fair game in comedy circles.

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 8:25pm

Feline Groovy wrote: »

I wasn't aware everything or nothing is fair game in comedy. I don't think an unprovoked attack on someone (disabled/fat or not) purely malice-based, not there to defend themselves and who has never been documented as hurting anyone themselves, is fair game in comedy circles.

We have no idea that is true. Again I have an idea that one of them posted something about the other via social media. And being of the opinion everyone knows who they are proceeded to joke about it to an audience outside their small circle of fans.

One eyed Jack · 29-03-2015 8:26pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

For all you know I could be dyslexic. It wouldn't change anything.

Yes it would, because being dyslexic myself, I hate when someone tries to humiliate me by picking on my spelling and grammar, and I hate seeing someone do it to another person. It's completely unnecessary.

If I were in her shoes, I'd have gone a lot further than merely raising my middle finger.

If I thought you were serious about comparing what she did to what he did, I'd think you were an idiot with no perspective.

That's if I thought you were serious.

What he said is completely irrelevant when she spent nearly three and a half minutes telling people about her life and how she was a nice person and all the rest of it, and then she went and undid it all by showing that she couldn't even abide by her own standards, much the same as you have done here really.

It's unfortunate really when adults react like that to being insulted, because it leads to people missing their point. Understandable when children behave like that, but adults? Not so much.

galljga1 · 29-03-2015 8:27pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

For all you know I could be dyslexic. It wouldn't change anything.

If I were in her shoes, I'd have gone a lot further than merely raising my middle finger.

If I thought you were serious about comparing what she did to what he did, I'd think you were an idiot with no perspective.

That's if I thought you were serious.

Can't understand a thing you typed there. Is it English?

Guy:Incognito · 29-03-2015 8:27pm

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Hold up there. Jimmy Carr's one liners are alright, and Frankie Boyle is one funny f*cker

Ah yeah, its funny when the disabled person is just related to Jordan or something, yeah?

Cold War Kid · 29-03-2015 8:29pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

We have no idea that is true. Again I have an idea that one of them posted something about the other via social media. And being of the opinion everyone knows who they are proceeded to joke about it to an audience outside their small circle of fans.

Well that (if you're right) is as bad. Bringing a private, personal vendetta into a stand-up set is pathetic.

galljga1 · 29-03-2015 8:29pm

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Hold up there. Jimmy Carr's one liners are alright, and Frankie Boyle is one funny f*cker

Jam and marmalade: case closed.

Earthhorse · 29-03-2015 8:31pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

We have no idea that is true.

Until we have no idea let's just assume it is true.

MakeEmLaugh · 29-03-2015 8:39pm

conorh91 wrote: »

How badly did you want to edit this post, when you realised your mistake?

Quite badly. Though at least I didn't sound off an opinion about a video without taking a whole 3½ minutes to watch it.

If I'd done that and made a grammatical error, I would've looked really foolish.

MadDog76 · 29-03-2015 8:44pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

You don't understand how to use a possessive apostrophe either, but the look of it.

conorh91 wrote: »

How badly did you want to edit this post, when you realised your mistake?

Now that's funny!!!!!!!

darkpagandeath · 29-03-2015 9:01pm

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Quite badly. Though at least I didn't sound off an opinion about a video without taking a whole 3½ minutes to watch it.

If I'd done that and made a grammatical error, I would've looked really foolish.

But the OP was so eloquently put I was able to form an opinion from the information written.

mark13 · 29-03-2015 9:07pm

Geniass wrote: »

And it also broke the cardinal sin. Comedians should be funny, and not just get laughs because he makes the audience feel awkward.

There is no cardinal sin of comedy, you just made this crap up.

Kelly06 wrote: »

But it wasn't just some people, he attacked an individual because of a disability. Can't be much of a comedian if he has to resort to "jokes" like this.

He didn't "attack" her because of her disability, he is mocking her personality and mentions her disability.

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

It doesnt add to the world, its just another Bill Hicks wannabe who doesn't get it and should probably pack his little wagon up and disappear.

Enough with the Bill Hicks..Hicks had a routine were he summons up the ghost of Jimi Hendrix up to rape Debbie Gibson to death for making pop music - aka phony music for girls and gay people, isn't that just hilarious. Hicks was a Sam Kinison wannabe, who was quite happy ripping off Sam's angry guy presentation for years, he's not the be all and end all of stand-up comedy.

One eyed Jack · 29-03-2015 9:17pm

mark13 wrote: »

He didn't "attack" her because of her disability, he is mocking her personality and mentions her disability.

As much as I disagree with the reaction of the woman in question, the man didn't just "mention" her disability, he outright used it as a source for his material.

Comedy, satire, however you choose to paint it, insulting people may be what some people consider humour, but as far as I can see it's simply cheap, unintelligent, witless, tasteless remarks that anyone could do.

There's nothing particularly talented about it, and nothing particularly remarkable or admirable about a person who, when given an audience, simply insults people.

MadDog76 · 29-03-2015 9:20pm

Bill Hicks had a hilarious routine were he summons up the ghost of Jimi Hendrix to rape Debbie Gibson to death for making pop music - aka phony music for girls and gay people, it was side-splittingly funny.
Hicks, in my opinion, was the be all and end all of stand-up comedy.

Frito · 29-03-2015 9:29pm

One eyed Jack wrote: »

As much as I disagree with the reaction of the woman in question, the man didn't just "mention" her disability, he outright used it as a source for his material.

Comedy, satire, however you choose to paint it, insulting people may be what some people consider humour, but as far as I can see it's simply cheap, unintelligent, witless, tasteless remarks that anyone could do.

There's nothing particularly talented about it, and nothing particularly remarkable or admirable about a person who, when given an audience, simply insults people.

It's hard to evaluate fully as his set is edited, but he does remark that she's annoying, so annoying and then remarking that she's not that annoying, they just have nothing in common. Oh and she has one arm.

That's not comedy, that's high school bullying.

I can understand her giving him the finger (and she does try and put some humour into it). It's not particularly mature, it's a crudely defiant gesture, but it's not a personal attack. He's the one who comes across poorer.

CiDeRmAn · 29-03-2015 9:42pm

Regarding Frankie Boyle and his inappropriate joke about Jordan and Harvey, that was acceptable because he was mocking the manner in which Katie Price has fed the media machine using her sex life and intellectually disabled son for publicity, often in the same article, sometimes the same paragraph.

This tosser in the OP video is simply abusing another comedian based not on her routine but how she looks and that she has a disability as a result of a road accident.
That's not humour, its not funny.
The idea that there are things that are off limits in comedy is a nonsense but there is one thing that's unacceptable for a comic to come out with, that's stuff that just isn't funny.

Guy:Incognito · 29-03-2015 9:43pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Regarding Frankie Boyle and his inappropriate joke about Jordan and Harvey, that was acceptable because he was mocking the manner in which Katie Price has fed the media machine using her sex life and intellectually disabled son for publicity, often in the same article, sometimes the same paragraph.
.

Was he?

FB:
‘Apparently Jordan and Peter Andre are fighting each other over custody of Harvey, well eventually one of them’ll lose and have to keep him. I have a theory that Jordan married a cage fighter cause she needed someone strong enough to stop Harvey from f***ing her.’

Geniass · 29-03-2015 11:56pm

mark13 wrote: »

There is no cardinal sin of comedy, you just made this crap up.

My bad. Think I left you out of the comedy rules update email. I'll send that right now to Mark13@pedant.com :P

rubadub · 29-03-2015 11:57pm

Enda Kenny telling a nigger joke was far more shocking. I am very surprised I only heard of it recently, considering some other incidents I have heard about from known controversial comedians.

MadDog76 · 30-03-2015 12:07am

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Ari Shaffir is a US comedian, who recently recorded a Comedy Central special.

In it, he at one point mentions by full name another comedian, and then proceeds to attack her for being 'fat', 'annoying', and 'one-armed'.

None of what he says seems to have a punchline - he's just attacking a woman for shock value, and to appear 'edgy', though mocking a woman with a disability who isn't around to defend herself is about as 'edgy' as shooting fish in a barrel. It's cruel, witless and unfunny.

The comedian in question is Damienne Merlina.

She recorded a video response here.

I know the internet can be a cesspool of bad taste, but many of the comments on her video are truly beyond the pale.

Here's an example:

Now, I defend Shaffir's right to talk about whatever he wants on stage. But I also defend the right of audiences and comedy club owners to say, "I hope you enjoyed telling that joke, because you won't ever be performing here again".

Freedom of speech is a two-way street.

Just watched the video there ......... she describe's herself as a "fat one-armed comedian" and, to be honest, I did find her quite annoying.

K4t · 30-03-2015 12:12am

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

The idea that there are things that are off limits in comedy is a nonsense but there is one thing that's unacceptable for a comic to come out with, that's stuff that just isn't funny.

But the majority of comics aren't funny. In my opinion of course.

TheBeardedLady · 30-03-2015 12:24am

Kelly06 wrote: »

But it wasn't just some people, he attacked an individual because of a disability. Can't be much of a comedian if he has to resort to "jokes" like this.

Yep. Yep times a million. He's not a funny man, even if he was making similar jokes about Hitler. I don't get it, in fact. School playground stuff. He's completely deluded. The sniveling fools in the crowd semi-laughing nervously at him.

The whole monologue is completely ****, not funny at all and the man is a prize arsehole.

"I met a guy last week. *Random fella* was his name. OMG! He was soooooo ugly and had to have part of his head 5 years ago removed because of a tumour!! Haha! He looked sooooo weird! And he was fat! Uh hello! Who ate all the cake!" *awaits nervous laughter from crowd while deluding yourself you're being edgy and just "telling it like it is". :rolleyes:

Prick.

nc19 · 30-03-2015 12:29am

WTF has her sister got to do with this???

TheBeardedLady · 30-03-2015 12:37am

nc19 wrote: »

WTF has her sister got to do with this???

Got to do with what? Her? It's her sister. If horrible things happen to someone you really love, it affects you and it can be really upsetting for you. She's talking about horrible things have happened in her life and I'd say the kidnapping and rape of a sibling would be fairly high up on anyone's list. Strange that even needs explaining tbh.

Disabled woman mocked by comedian - responds with video

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