I truly think Contrapoints is among the most important voices in cultural and social criticism today. Her video essays are brilliant, witty, true and necessary. I was about to write something more...
I truly think Contrapoints is among the most important voices in cultural and social criticism today. Her video essays are brilliant, witty, true and necessary. I was about to write something more extense, but I was speechless at the end. Maybe later.
Holy shit, the story of Natalie's sperm bank experience is actually way funnier than the previous one she was highlighting. "Right this way Natalie..." Gold. p.s. I was aware of Ricky Gervais'...
Holy shit, the story of Natalie's sperm bank experience is actually way funnier than the previous one she was highlighting. "Right this way Natalie..." Gold.
p.s. I was aware of Ricky Gervais' "offcolour" bit on Caitlyn Jenner at the Golden Globes, but had no idea about his other more recent jokes about transgendered people. The chimp reference in particular is a strange choice on his part since it sounds dangerously close to the racist rhetoric that was once (and still sometimes is) used against black people. Yeesh, what a clueless twat.
p.p.s. And speaking of Caitlyn Jenner and jokes that are actually funny yet still respectful, here's a great little interview with her by comedian Kevin Nealon (SNL, Weeds, etc) on his new "Hiking with Kevin" youtube show that is worth checking out IMO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmgF1Vk1yg
When I watched Ricky Gervais's special, I was aware that I probably shouldn't be laughing. The logic was broken, but the timing was so fucking good. It was like dancing to a good rhythm even...
When I watched Ricky Gervais's special, I was aware that I probably shouldn't be laughing. The logic was broken, but the timing was so fucking good. It was like dancing to a good rhythm even though the lyrics are atrocious. The problem is that we're not in a time were comparing that profound existential condition with the desire to be a monkey, hilarious as it is, is harmless enough to be the subject of a joke. There a people being murdered because of that. I don't believe Gervais is anti-transgender by any means, but I do think he's irresponsible. Fueling anti-transgender sentiments in 2018 is literally dangerous, like joking about Jewish in 1920s Germany. Some people will take you seriously.
My biggest problem and the reason I can't actually laugh at those jokes of his, regardless of his delivery, is that I get the distinct impression he actually is transphobic, not just misinformed....
My biggest problem and the reason I can't actually laugh at those jokes of his, regardless of his delivery, is that I get the distinct impression he actually is transphobic, not just misinformed. From refusing to refer to Caitlyn Jenner as anything other than Bruce and continuing to use a masculine pronoun in reference to her, to now parroting bigoted memes and strawman arguments under the guise of "just joking". That isn't just simple ignorance, which I can look past, that's willfully refusing to learn anything about the issue at all or show any respect whatsoever. It's a fine line but I think he's sadly well past it.
I don't use Twitter, so the specials and interviews are my sources of information. I think he's an arrogant free-speech absolutist who believes no one is entitled to criticize him — an obvious...
I don't use Twitter, so the specials and interviews are my sources of information. I think he's an arrogant free-speech absolutist who believes no one is entitled to criticize him — an obvious contradiction many comedians seem to share. So, after the first time he received criticism for joking about that, he was personally offended, and that is one reason why he kept doing the jokes. The second reason is that good material is not easy to create: he found a good source that seems to be working, so he used it again. I think he's a pseudo-intellectual self-absorbed imbecile, but I don't think he is actually transphobic. Transphobia is not really compatible with the rest of his beliefs. But I might, of course, be wrong.
See, even were I to ignore my own suspicions about his motivation... I still think another major issue, which Natalie touched on a bit, is that Ricky delights in punching down. To make fun of a...
See, even were I to ignore my own suspicions about his motivation... I still think another major issue, which Natalie touched on a bit, is that Ricky delights in punching down. To make fun of a marginalized group that still regularly faces bigotry everywhere they go, when you're not in that group is just tasteless and, as you correctly pointed out, dangerous, especially in the current climate in the US. And whenever I see someone doing that, it makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable even if the premise of their joke is solid (which Gervais' aren't).
p.s. And to be clear, I am not some overly sensitive SJW either. One of my favorite comedians is fellow Canadian, Russel Peters, who makes fun of every race, colour, creed, sexual orientation and religion (watch his very first special, it's brilliant!). But the difference between him and Ricky Gervais is not only that he is a minority himself, but more importantly that his jokes are good natured and not mean spirited. Gervais is mean spirited and clearly finds pleasure in hurting people and disrespecting them. I don't find that funny.
I'll hate Russel Peters for all eternity because he said in a special that Spanish sounds better than Portuguese. I wouldn't feel bad if he said Portuguese is the worst language in the world, but...
I'll hate Russel Peters for all eternity because he said in a special that Spanish sounds better than Portuguese. I wouldn't feel bad if he said Portuguese is the worst language in the world, but saying it is worst than Spanish was a cheap shot :(
Perhaps Russell just hasn't listened to enough Seu Jorge. That man makes Portuguese sound sexy as hell. But then again, he could probably even sing in Cthulu speak and do the same, so I don't know...
Perhaps Russell just hasn't listened to enough Seu Jorge. That man makes Portuguese sound sexy as hell. But then again, he could probably even sing in Cthulu speak and do the same, so I don't know how much the language really has to do with it. ;)
To be fair, I think he was referring to European Portuguese. Seu Jorge is/was kind of a sex symbol before, but cocaine is a hell of a drug. Here's another one of the most beautiful uses of...
To be fair, I think he was referring to European Portuguese. Seu Jorge is/was kind of a sex symbol before, but cocaine is a hell of a drug. Here's another one of the most beautiful uses of Brazilian Portuguese in song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1tOV7y94DY
That's a pretty good one... though I'm a huge fan of jazz.vocal so prefer the earlier Elis Regina version. It's more jazzy and sultry, and less poppy and upbeat. ;)
That's a pretty good one... though I'm a huge fan of jazz.vocal so prefer the earlier Elis Regina version. It's more jazzy and sultry, and less poppy and upbeat. ;)
I truly think Contrapoints is among the most important voices in cultural and social criticism today. Her video essays are brilliant, witty, true and necessary. I was about to write something more extense, but I was speechless at the end. Maybe later.
Holy shit, the story of Natalie's sperm bank experience is actually way funnier than the previous one she was highlighting. "Right this way Natalie..." Gold.
p.s. I was aware of Ricky Gervais' "offcolour" bit on Caitlyn Jenner at the Golden Globes, but had no idea about his other more recent jokes about transgendered people. The chimp reference in particular is a strange choice on his part since it sounds dangerously close to the racist rhetoric that was once (and still sometimes is) used against black people. Yeesh, what a clueless twat.
p.p.s. And speaking of Caitlyn Jenner and jokes that are actually funny yet still respectful, here's a great little interview with her by comedian Kevin Nealon (SNL, Weeds, etc) on his new "Hiking with Kevin" youtube show that is worth checking out IMO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmgF1Vk1yg
When I watched Ricky Gervais's special, I was aware that I probably shouldn't be laughing. The logic was broken, but the timing was so fucking good. It was like dancing to a good rhythm even though the lyrics are atrocious. The problem is that we're not in a time were comparing that profound existential condition with the desire to be a monkey, hilarious as it is, is harmless enough to be the subject of a joke. There a people being murdered because of that. I don't believe Gervais is anti-transgender by any means, but I do think he's irresponsible. Fueling anti-transgender sentiments in 2018 is literally dangerous, like joking about Jewish in 1920s Germany. Some people will take you seriously.
My biggest problem and the reason I can't actually laugh at those jokes of his, regardless of his delivery, is that I get the distinct impression he actually is transphobic, not just misinformed. From refusing to refer to Caitlyn Jenner as anything other than Bruce and continuing to use a masculine pronoun in reference to her, to now parroting bigoted memes and strawman arguments under the guise of "just joking". That isn't just simple ignorance, which I can look past, that's willfully refusing to learn anything about the issue at all or show any respect whatsoever. It's a fine line but I think he's sadly well past it.
I don't use Twitter, so the specials and interviews are my sources of information. I think he's an arrogant free-speech absolutist who believes no one is entitled to criticize him — an obvious contradiction many comedians seem to share. So, after the first time he received criticism for joking about that, he was personally offended, and that is one reason why he kept doing the jokes. The second reason is that good material is not easy to create: he found a good source that seems to be working, so he used it again. I think he's a pseudo-intellectual self-absorbed imbecile, but I don't think he is actually transphobic. Transphobia is not really compatible with the rest of his beliefs. But I might, of course, be wrong.
See, even were I to ignore my own suspicions about his motivation... I still think another major issue, which Natalie touched on a bit, is that Ricky delights in punching down. To make fun of a marginalized group that still regularly faces bigotry everywhere they go, when you're not in that group is just tasteless and, as you correctly pointed out, dangerous, especially in the current climate in the US. And whenever I see someone doing that, it makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable even if the premise of their joke is solid (which Gervais' aren't).
p.s. And to be clear, I am not some overly sensitive SJW either. One of my favorite comedians is fellow Canadian, Russel Peters, who makes fun of every race, colour, creed, sexual orientation and religion (watch his very first special, it's brilliant!). But the difference between him and Ricky Gervais is not only that he is a minority himself, but more importantly that his jokes are good natured and not mean spirited. Gervais is mean spirited and clearly finds pleasure in hurting people and disrespecting them. I don't find that funny.
I'll hate Russel Peters for all eternity because he said in a special that Spanish sounds better than Portuguese. I wouldn't feel bad if he said Portuguese is the worst language in the world, but saying it is worst than Spanish was a cheap shot :(
Perhaps Russell just hasn't listened to enough Seu Jorge. That man makes Portuguese sound sexy as hell. But then again, he could probably even sing in Cthulu speak and do the same, so I don't know how much the language really has to do with it. ;)
To be fair, I think he was referring to European Portuguese. Seu Jorge is/was kind of a sex symbol before, but cocaine is a hell of a drug. Here's another one of the most beautiful uses of Brazilian Portuguese in song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1tOV7y94DY
That's a pretty good one... though I'm a huge fan of jazz.vocal so prefer the earlier Elis Regina version. It's more jazzy and sultry, and less poppy and upbeat. ;)
Oh yeah, the version I sent you was and is a great hit. It's the FM version I guess! And everybody loves Tom Jobim!