Boris Johnson recently got into hot water (his hair needed washing) accused of making a racist joke. But, from an objective viewpoint, it wasn’t really a ‘joke’ in the accepted sense. (Trust me; I’m a comedian and I know a thing or two about jokes) It was more of a throwaway comment or off-hand remark.

We occasionally get told things about ourselves that we disagree with, but most of us brush them off and move on. That Boris’s comment offended so many, shows certain sections of society are very sensitive. But . . . that wasn’t always the case . . .

I watched a Channel Five programme last year that featured a bunch of ‘experts’ viewing clips from 1970s TV comedy shows. Looking ‘shocked’ and ‘appalled’ they said things like “Did people reallywatch this 40 years ago?” and “When do I get my fee for pretending to be shocked and appalled?”

Being just a lad when “Love Thy Neighbour”, “Mind Your Language” and “It Ain’t ‘Alf  Hot Mum” entertained millions, I don’t know whether people were more tolerant in the 70s or less choosy about what they watched.
Although those shows are considered too non-P.C. to repeat, “Are You Being Served?” which features John Inman’s outrageously camp Mr Humphries and constant references to Mrs. Slocombe’s pussy, is being repeated on one of the digital channels during daytime – and nobody’s complained!

In 2018, people – not just the ‘professionally offended’ who demand their five minutes of airtime to complain about whatever’s got up their nose that morning –  appear more sensitive, not only regarding what’s said about them,but about other people. Which makes a comedian’s job doubly difficult.

Audiences expect comedians to be edgy (and funny, too!) but that doesn’t mean they’ll accept every line you throw at them.

An audience is both one unit andseveral individuals.
Upset too many individuals and the unit will fall apart. A bit like society in general. Keep smiling!