A question regarding what is "satire"...

[PerpetuallyDazed]

Did you laugh during "Harold & Kumar Escape From Gitmo"? Or, like the movie "Borat", did you find them both to be as offensive as the latest New Yorker cover? Can we draw any similarities or parallels from these movies, or is this "satire" coming from a completely different place?

I'm just curious to know what people think and why... :)

[Nye Bevan]

1. Being offended by the New Yorker cover

is like being offended by Borat's "Throw the Jews down the Well" song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb3IMTJjzfo

[PerpetuallyDazed]

8. Only Sasha Baron Cohen could pull that off

Anyone else... not so much.

[tigereye]

2. I love things that poke fun at different views and conventions....

you have to see things in a complex way to develop satire and then to appreciate it. It isn't meant to be literal. I love it and sometimes both sides need to have more of a sense of humor.


Borat was hysterically funny, if a bit uncomfortable at times when it was gross. I don't know if grossness qualifies as satire....


As far as visual or cartoon satire goes, it's a bit of a different medium, you have to let your brain figure out the different levels. That's why I love New Yorker cartoons.

My favorite NY cartoon is one of an adorable little girl listening to a seashell at the beach, while her parents scream on cell-phones behind her. It's a perfect image of a stereotypical high-powered NY beach vacation!




on edit, I think it's hilarious that the New Yorker is a center of controversy and getting all this publicity! :rofl:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Satire is supposed to be offensive.

Alas, there are some who don't get the satire or are fearful that others won't.

[bemildred]

4. The "Howard Cosell" defense will only get you so far when it comes to racist/ethnic "humor".

I don't care for any of the "entertainment" you cite, and for the same reason in all cases.

[PerpetuallyDazed]

5. You'll have to enlighten me on the Howard Cosell defense...

You don't have to like it and you're entitled to your own opinion--which is why I broached the question.

[DangerDave921]

6. Borat was hilarious

That was one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Ever. I mean laugh out loud funny where I was crying. Harold and Kumar (the first one) was stupid. Totally different type of comedy.

If you're offended by Borat, I don't know what to think. Other than get that stick out of your arse.

[PerpetuallyDazed]

7. I loved them both.

And don't think TNY cover is offensive either. Just wondered what others thought... :shrug:

[TexasObserver]

9. It's very simple. Satire may be good, may be obvious, or may be poorly done.

Just because something is satire doesn't make it good, doesn't make it effective, and doesn't make it funny.

I would suggest you view some of the "satire" directed at Israel in the Arab world before you conclude that being satire makes something socially or politically acceptable. SATIRE is just another way of saying "smart ass." Maybe it's witty, but maybe it's SNOT.