Page 80 - The Language of Humour

‘CRIKEY, THAT’S A HARD ONE!’ 67
What does NASA stand for? Need another seven astronauts.

Even in this area, some taboos exert a stronger influence—there have
been no jokes (as far as this writer has noticed) about the shooting of
a class of primary school children in Dunblane, for example. Some
tragedies seem to be acknowledged as too important for humour, but
there is still variation in the response. Gerry Sadowitz was playing in
Sheffield on the night of the Hillsborough disaster, where ninety-seven
football fans died, and he included references about people getting
crushed to death. Many people booed and walked out, but quite a few
laughed. Does this mean that they lacked the finer human sensitivity of
the the protesters? Sadowitz himself claims that there are no limits—
anything goes. This point will be discussed in later activities.

Activity with text
What taboo-breaking occurs in this sketch ‘Fat Aristocrats’ by French
and Saunders? What factors make it acceptable, so that it stays within
the limits of broadcast humour?

(Pouring whisky from her binocular case
into two old teacups)
A: There we go. Picked it up at the wedding.
B: What a bloody dull do. Bride looked a fright,
I thought.
A: What a fright! Like some old bitch on heat, I
thought. Pig in a dress.
She may be my daughter but I’ll have to
agree with you there!
B: Thank God we had a reason to get away.
A: Bloody lucky, I mean lot of fuss and
nonsense there was when George passed
away. Do you remember?
B: What?
A: The other week when George passed away.
B: George?
A: Husband. You know George. Stupid looking
bugger. Gammy leg.
B: Oh yes. George.