Media, Entertainment & Music

Swearing

Media, Entertainment & Music

Posted by: June

15th Nov 2013 09:03pm

I watched a show last week on TV. It was a Comedy show of varied Comedians from different countries staged in Canada. Some were very funny, others were woeful (in my opinion of course). But what particularly struck me, and quite annoyed me at times was how much swearing there was... I find it so unnecessary, if jokes are funny, why do they need to swear so much? Mainly it is the F--- word. I know many people use it frequently but I am sorry I find it to be offensive, especially with all this overuse. Billy Connelly in particular is such a funny man and when you see him being interviewed on TV or in general programs such as his travel series, he doesn't feel the need to swear. So why is it he feels the need when telling jokes. Am I alone in my thinking?


Comments 37

mandy
  • 11th Dec 2013 03:25pm

I have never agreed with the use of swear words even though they seem to be more and more accepted in the general population. I also believe the use of profanity is highly unacceptable in any situation. Unfortunately the number of people who think the same way as you and I are in the minority now and if we were to speak up we would very likely be mobbed! I was horrified to watch such an incident occur on an Adelaide train where an elderly gentleman was bashed for objecting to the use of the F* word. You are not alone in your thinking and I only wish there were more of us

babehotpants
  • 3rd Dec 2013 09:53pm

obviously the swearing makes them feel better. I feel that there's no need for the swearing.

sawhorse
  • 3rd Dec 2013 05:11pm

I am absolutely fed up with the f word ,they start telling a joke the only punch line is the f word or worse ,and then when it is used every one starts to laugh ,and I think it that the punch line ,to me they are not comedians just foul mouthed want to be,s could not bother watching just filth .

Dr DoMatty
  • 29th Nov 2013 12:08am

I agree that a lot of comedians swear unneccessarily and are therefore very unfunny. Some comedians (and very few at that eg: Adam Hills) use it well in context and convey messages in their jokes quite well while others are just cras.

Rog
  • 28th Nov 2013 04:41pm

You are not alone! Comedians must think it is expected of them . . .
I'd much rather watch a comic that does not swear!

Jameden
  • 27th Nov 2013 11:04am

I agree with you totally, and now you even hear these words in the music industry which is quite unacceptable as our children listen to music and should not have to hear such rubbish.

lizlucy
  • 26th Nov 2013 10:26pm

I agree with you. You don't mind every now and then but some its every second word

mustang6000
  • 21st Nov 2013 10:25pm

I also totally agree, why is it that previous generation comedy acts like Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbet, Bob Hope, Tommy Cooper, The Goodies, Spike Milligan, The Goons, Dave Allen plus many more, made our sides ache without the use of a single swear word.

In general, I find the unnecessary use of swearing to be a major turn off and an insult to intelligence.

Hartmut
  • 22nd Nov 2013 03:14pm
I also totally agree, why is it that previous generation comedy acts like Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbet, Bob Hope, Tommy Cooper, The Goodies, Spike Milligan, The Goons, Dave Allen plus many more,...

Well, wild mustang6000 you hit the mark, previous comedians, in fact the whole entertainment industry, did not find it necessary to resort to the lowest and crudest level to entertain. To me the current use of foul language is a sign of low intelligence, lack of class, lack of wit, lack of personality - and of being too lazy to come up with smart, good writing.

bernmar
  • 21st Nov 2013 08:48pm

I totally agree with you. Sometimes I may start watching a movie and then they drop the F--- bomb. That is enough for me to change channels at home or walk out of a movie theatre. I think it is so unnecessary. I cringe when I hear swearing when out and about

marg
  • 21st Nov 2013 08:28pm

When I hear them swearing I turn them off as we do not have to listen to them using the F word there are so many other words that can be used instead. You are not alone.

uruz
  • 21st Nov 2013 07:12pm

Hi June, now I'm a 71 year old male and I've knocked around a bit, seen a lot and spent 20 years in the army BUT I still see no reason whatsoever for comedians to swear. I remember when Billie Connelly did not swear and he was funnier then without any swearing at all than now with all his all his swearing. To me it seems that they have an inadequacy in their ability to express themselves when they or anyone for that matter have to resort to swearing. It's the same with movies these days. Oh and I am no puritan believe me.
I'm with you

June
  • 21st Nov 2013 08:02pm
Hi June, now I'm a 71 year old male and I've knocked around a bit, seen a lot and spent 20 years in the army BUT I still see no reason whatsoever for comedians to swear. I remember when Billie...

Hi, yes I also remember when Billy Connelly didn't use bad language. I remember watching a TV show with my elderly mother many years ago and she and I just ached with laughter because he was so funny and there was no bad language at all.. He did not find it necessary then. He is a naturally funny man without the swearing. As you say being a military man you would have seen and heard plenty in your time but you still don't like to hear constant swearing.

normarand
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:43pm

You are not alone June. I find swearing a huge turn off and if a TV programme, radio programme, film or comedian features swearing I stop watching. There are so many words in the English language I don't know why some people insist on using only swear words.

Hartmut
  • 22nd Nov 2013 02:57pm
You are not alone June. I find swearing a huge turn off and if a TV programme, radio programme, film or comedian features swearing I stop watching. There are so many words in the English language I...

Well Norma, as I said elsewhere, they use foul swear words because they have nothings else between their ears.

June
  • 21st Nov 2013 07:55pm
You are not alone June. I find swearing a huge turn off and if a TV programme, radio programme, film or comedian features swearing I stop watching. There are so many words in the English language I...

Agree wholeheartedly, we have a beautiful language so we should use it well. Thanks for your view on my topic.

Kevin3
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:32pm

As someone who has studied humour, and has done the odd bit of standup comedy, I am convinced that nothing is out of bounds provided that the joke is funnier that it is distasteful, sacrilegious, sexist, dirty or otherwise offensive.

However, it is rare to find that a particular gag conforms to this proviso if it contains filthy language.

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 10:48pm
As someone who has studied humour, and has done the odd bit of standup comedy, I am convinced that nothing is out of bounds provided that the joke is funnier that it is distasteful, sacrilegious,...

As you said, it is rare to find a comedian funny or witty when his main source of humour, or nearly every sentence, is laden with offensive, filthy language, just because HE thinks that is the 'Cool'
thing to say - in order to be 'With It'.

wendel
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:23pm

Afraid to say that's what society is coming to these days. Out of the mouth of babes.....literally, even the younger generation use the F word as if it was any other word. My mother would never let us kids swear any how. Not even a bugger! Must admit the only time I did laugh was when I saw Billy Connolly on stage, a couple of times now, he's hilarious. But he does use the F word rather a lot.

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 10:24pm
Afraid to say that's what society is coming to these days. Out of the mouth of babes.....literally, even the younger generation use the F word as if it was any other word. My mother would never...

Yes, indeed Billy uses the F word a lot. But he is truly an exception. For some odd reason when he says it it is not offensive. Perhaps Dustin Hoffman put it best:
'Billy is like a fart that does not smell!'
Alas, the rest does not have Billy's personality, charm or wit and usually stink up the place.

Ernie
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:17pm

I agree 100%
I was brought up to believe that swearing is the effort of a feeble mined to express itself.
So good comedians don't need to swear.

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 04:51pm


Hi June,
The answer to why comedians, and other people use foul language
is simply this: they have simply nothing worthwhile, intelligent or witty to say !
Unfortunately it seems to have become an accepted norm, by the whole entertainment world, to use vile words and crude language in
their everyday language - to appeal and get the most dollars from the greatest and the lowest common denominator possible.
Perhaps it is a sign of our overall decline in good manners, taste and style.

June
  • 21st Nov 2013 07:52pm

Hi June,
The answer to why comedians, and other people use foul language
is simply this: they have simply nothing worthwhile, intelligent or witty to say !
Unfortunately it seems...

Thanks Hartmut, it's reassuring to hear that a lot of people agree about the excessive swearing. Standards and respect seem to be fast disappearing now and from all the answers I have received to this topic, it gives me heart that more people feel this way than I thought.

Billie
  • 18th Nov 2013 10:44pm

June, I used to feel the same as you. When I overheard a loud conversation between 2 men at the bar of a hotel about 20 years ago, as the F word was used, I was shocked that this word was used loudly enough and often enough for women to overhear, and it was as if they had insulted me. I had to contain my outrage at the insult. I laugh now at how sensitive I was then, as I am now so used to hearing it that I reasoned that after all, it was just another word like damn or blast which used to be in fashion and though I don't use it myself, I don't get excited about someone else using it. One has to learn to shrug these things off I believe, otherwise we oldies can become snooty about change just because we don't agree with it and the young won't be tolerant of us either.

Billie

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:18pm
Yes, I understand what you mean and that it really is only a word, but I think it is also a way that people don't show respect or consideration for others. Swearing is just one thing but general...

I agree with you June, (totally) 'unnecessary' is the key word for the use of offensive, disrespectul words. As I said elsewhere, tough top movies like "Spartacus", or top funny ones like 'Some Like it Hot' saw no need for them, but used good writing and wit instead!


Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 05:06pm
June, I used to feel the same as you. When I overheard a loud conversation between 2 men at the bar of a hotel about 20 years ago, as the F word was used, I was shocked that this word was used...

Hi Billie,
We must agree to disagree.
I do not think 'old age' has anything to do with 'tolerating' vile language. Just because we get used to foul language is not a good reason that it should be accepted.
And, if we become insensitive to bad and crude language, what else will we shrugg off? What is next on the list...?

June
  • 18th Nov 2013 11:16pm
June, I used to feel the same as you. When I overheard a loud conversation between 2 men at the bar of a hotel about 20 years ago, as the F word was used, I was shocked that this word was used...

Yes, I understand what you mean and that it really is only a word, but I think it is also a way that people don't show respect or consideration for others. Swearing is just one thing but general rudeness is the norm now too. I think also that age shouldn't make any difference. As far as tolerance , it should apply to everyone young and old and I don't feel it should give anyone the right to not consider others. As you said, I also used to get a lot more offended than I do now, it's just that I think excessive swearing is unnecessary. It's just like when you hear young girls in particular using "like" constantly. That also is quite irritating. I might add I do have a good sense of humour and I do like a good joke and can take a smattering of swear words, just not every second word.

Dora
  • 18th Nov 2013 01:26pm

I totally agree with you. At time I almost feel like they use swear words as replacement punctuation marks.
And I have overheard little kids too young to even know the meaning use them to punctuate sentences.

Hartmut
  • 23rd Nov 2013 09:05pm
apologies if 1 word offends,our language is made up of 1 words.please thanks.if as you say these shows are so bad,why do they get packed houses.i am not talking about language as every second word...

No one complains about 'occasional' bad language, but when it occurs all the time on TV, shows and movies (as in now), then there is something wrong with the writers taste and style - or lack of it. Packed houses are no prove of good taste either, it merely shows lowered expectations by the majority.
Age too has nothing to do with tolerating foul language either; and it should be rejected at any age, especially when it is used totally unnecessarily.
In my opinion foul language and filthy words are exploitatively used by juvenile minds - for, and to appeal to juvenile minds, of whatever age they might be.


l0lapx
  • 23rd Nov 2013 07:32pm
dora i thoroughly disagree swearing in some circumstances can make the show .is usually mentioned in the advertising.as adults only.if you do not like swearing stay home.for me a good funny night...

Sorry David, I have been known to drop a swear word when dropping a sledge hammer on my foot for example, but for me if you cant be funny with have a swear word almost every 3rd workd, you need to go back to school and learn to speak the language, there is no reason to swear to get a laugh, In fact if you look back in the archives of some of the comedians who have been around for a number of years they were a lot funnier before they added swearing to their repetoire. Also it reduces their audience. but then they much younger generation than I cant spell, use grammer so what can we expect from them ????? just saying :)

david
  • 23rd Nov 2013 02:10pm
You are entitled to your opinion.
But keep it polite David. OK?
Instead of just barking out one word, make a valued argument for your point.

apologies if 1 word offends,our language is made up of 1 words.please thanks.if as you say these shows are so bad,why do they get packed houses.i am not talking about language as every second word an ocassional bleep does mke the show.i saw bob down a few years back,packed house ocassional course language.a great time.i am an adult 64.i wonder the ages of the respondents to this question.good luck hartnet

Hartmut
  • 22nd Nov 2013 02:53pm
rubbish

You are entitled to your opinion.
But keep it polite David. OK?
Instead of just barking out one word, make a valued argument for your point.

david
  • 22nd Nov 2013 12:37pm
Well, I thoroughly disagree David, - if a show needs swearing with foul four letter word - in order "To Make It" - than it can not be good to start with!

rubbish

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 10:32pm
dora i thoroughly disagree swearing in some circumstances can make the show .is usually mentioned in the advertising.as adults only.if you do not like swearing stay home.for me a good funny night...

Well, I thoroughly disagree David, - if a show needs swearing with foul four letter word - in order "To Make It" - than it can not be good to start with!

david
  • 21st Nov 2013 09:30pm
I totally agree with you. At time I almost feel like they use swear words as replacement punctuation marks.
And I have overheard little kids too young to even know the meaning use them to...

dora i thoroughly disagree swearing in some circumstances can make the show .is usually mentioned in the advertising.as adults only.if you do not like swearing stay home.for me a good funny night out with swearing included is great.i am sure all swear words you can think of are now in the australian dictionary..relax take your shoes off,have some fun.

Hartmut
  • 21st Nov 2013 04:57pm
Thanks Dora, I'm glad to know others think like me. I recently read the latest two novels from J K Rowling. The Harry Potter books have been so good and she obviously is a good writer but I was...

Another point to make June is - only a few decades ago, top movies, top songs etc. never ever used, or saw the need to use foul language. There are enough 'joice' words around to use instead to convey anger or anoyance.

June
  • 18th Nov 2013 03:17pm
I totally agree with you. At time I almost feel like they use swear words as replacement punctuation marks.
And I have overheard little kids too young to even know the meaning use them to...

Thanks Dora, I'm glad to know others think like me. I recently read the latest two novels from J K Rowling. The Harry Potter books have been so good and she obviously is a good writer but I was also sorry when I saw such a lot of swearing in them... I am not a prude and realise that some characters in both movies, and books are the sort of people who would use foul language but I just wish they wouldn't use it quite so much. After all, the public in general don't use it quite so freely.

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