(no subject)

[lollardfish]

Can anyone more knowledgeable than I point out any examples of the Vilification Tennis show doing productive social satire - that is, making fun of something in order to demonstrate its impropriety or nonsensical nature?

I'm seeing excuses that I shouldn't be offended at their upcoming show because it's productive social satire.

I think it's just an excuse and the show isn't about satire, it's about getting laughs by being as mean as possible. They are really good at it. They get a lot of laughs. I think they're kidding themselves about the satire, but I'm not that familiar with their shows.

Comments

Vilification Tennis and the art of offensive comedy

[zarathud23.livejournal.com]

I have been a member of the Vilification Tennis cast for 13 years.

To quote our official website: "We feel that there is humor inherent even in the most taboo subjects and we are, therefore, willing to make fun of things that most people would think aren’t the least bit funny."

Our show is about being funny. It is also about pushing the envelope into non-politically correct humor, because (I feel that) "Political Correctness" has gone way too far. You can't hardly sneeze without offending someone these days!

I have ADHD and have always been wild. When I was a kid the other children called me all sorts of names such as "Spaz" "Mental" "Retard" (That's right! I said it!)and "Loser." I turned out just fine (ok, some might argue that last point).

We are not trying to piss you off. We are utilizing a format that no one else dares to touch. Why? Because somebody should.

As far as examples go, I suggest you come to the show. You may be surprised.

Re: Vilification Tennis and the art of offensive comedy

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about the essence of Vilification Tennis.

However:

"I have ADHD and have always been wild. When I was a kid the other children called me all sorts of names such as "Spaz" "Mental" "Retard" (That's right! I said it!)and "Loser." I turned out just fine (ok, some might argue that last point)."

That you withstood this kind of thing is not, I think, justification to inflict it on others.

Actually, insult comedy is pretty common. Plenty of people do this type of humor, just not this format. And it's a really good format executed by tremendously skilled people (at least the last time I saw it, and since it's Tim's show, and Tim's sense of comedy is pretty finely honed, I'm sure it's still great). I have at no time questioned the show's ability to produce laughter.

Re: Vilification Tennis and the art of offensive comedy

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

Three points:

I know no one is trying to piss us off. I'm not that vain. Not every single song is about me. It was an unintended result however.

I would be thrilled to find out the show is going to be uplifting to people with disabilities, I would also be delusional if I thought that was a representative statement of previous work by vilifiers.

Do you know what the difference is between insulting people with developmental disabilities and insulting let's say someone who has ADD-ADHD as an example? Other groups can stand up for themselves. I also had ADD as a child and I can apparently complain quite a lot. People with developmental disabilities are the least likely group to be able to respond.