General Discussion

Denzil_DC

(9,097 posts)

134. In one UK daytime darts game show from the 1980s, the comedian host asked a male contestant:

Mon Nov 20, 2017, 12:42 PM

Nov 2017

"Is there any young lady you're tampering with at the moment?" (i.e., more innocuously, "Are you dating anyone?)

It's actually hard for me not to laugh at it even now because of the casual deadpan delivery and the home truth it expressed about some of our courting habits in the past, and I don't believe for a minute the comedian intended anything bad (the contestant collapsed in stitches and the audience were falling about).

But put it in cold, hard text out of context and, well ...

Throw satire into the mix, with its use of verbal and physical caricature, exaggeration and sarcasm, and if you're not inclined to appreciate it for whatever reason, humor of any period can be shocking and indefensible.

Like I said, it's not right to single Franken out for this.

It's still unfair to have him used as a springboard and scapegoat for discussions on these issues - he's publicly acknowledged he's not proud of some of the humor from that era. Show me how many other comedians have done so.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

229 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Al Franken's Saturday Night Live era was full of jokes disparaging women [View all] oberliner Nov 2017 OP

One of the big reasons I rarely watched them.. whathehell Nov 2017 #1

Nice try DiverDave Nov 2017 #2

Um, maybe not..I support Franken and do NOT think he should step down whathehell Nov 2017 #23

Good post. Kingofalldems Nov 2017 #71

This article is about misogyny on SNL (and Franken admittedly contributed to that) oberliner Nov 2017 #78

SNL makes fun of everyone, Women, Men, Black, White, Mexican, Gay, Straight, Rapper, Country Singer snooper2 Nov 2017 #157

Hadn't seen that one before treestar Nov 2017 #196

That's a classic! RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #201

Headline satire quickesst Nov 2017 #99

The OP knows exactly what they're doing... tenderfoot Nov 2017 #114

This is preposterous oberliner Nov 2017 #115

A very successful ruse tenderfoot Nov 2017 #116

Attacking Franken for what is obviously a put up job is not defending anything...it is helping the Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #169

No post count? DiverDave Nov 2017 #229

Bingo. Hassin Bin Sober Nov 2017 #162

Jesus Christ ERA community theater full of disparaging misogyny Eliot Rosewater Nov 2017 #210

You are posting the shittiest anti-Franken threads on DU n/t greeny2323 Nov 2017 #3

I said something little similar about that poster. rockfordfile Nov 2017 #29

Franken himself has acknowledged the importance of what this article addresses oberliner Nov 2017 #79

you are simply using this to attack a Democrat... Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #170

You really seem to want to get rid of one our best senators. cwydro Nov 2017 #4

I want to get rid of misogyny oberliner Nov 2017 #73

Hmm, thats strange RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #138

Interesting. MrsCoffee Nov 2017 #148

Then why attack Franken specifically to address misogynous behavior? pandr32 Nov 2017 #171

Why not focus on what he has done in the Senate? treestar Nov 2017 #197

Try harder... Vinnie From Indy Nov 2017 #5

It's an article in the WaPo by a left-wing feminist oberliner Nov 2017 #74

And why does that have anything to do with anything...I don't care who she is...I am sick of Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #173

Say the term Feminazies in a roomfull of men these days and it will immediately Jim Beard Nov 2017 #223

I am a feminist and this overkill especially with the the facebook woman who made such ridiculous Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #225

" he reportedly once pitched a skit" WTF, sounds like something from Breitbart njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #6

to be fair he admits to having pitched said script dsc Nov 2017 #16

Thanks, I stand corrected njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #26

sure you care bigtree Nov 2017 #7

The article addresses sexism and misogyny in the male-dominated comedy-writing world of SNL then oberliner Nov 2017 #82

lol bigtree Nov 2017 #191

Well, let's burn him at the stake then. Maybe we can add a few more comedians to the pyre, too. Vinca Nov 2017 #8

Or instead, let's celebrate the fact that we are finally evolving with respect to sexist jokes oberliner Nov 2017 #10

And while we are celebrating, we apparently have to demand that people LisaL Nov 2017 #14

No, that's not it whathehell Nov 2017 #31

word; there sure are a lot of strawmen/women being tossed out here. nt TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #212

I like your optimism. But I don't think that's what is happening here. Demit Nov 2017 #27

Left-wing Democrats are capable of telling offensive jokes oberliner Nov 2017 #84

Talk about the other males in the male-dominated comedy world, then. Demit Nov 2017 #103

+++++++++++++++++ pangaia Nov 2017 #111

This article was in the Washington Post today oberliner Nov 2017 #112

i can't speak for the OP, but i have higher standards for dems; at the very least i'm certainly not TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #215

OK, OK.. we got it. pangaia Nov 2017 #109

He didn't say ALL of his jokes "were just plain offensive". George II Nov 2017 #214

The counterpoint to Jane was a memorable example Not Ruth Nov 2017 #9

Thanks for sharing this oberliner Nov 2017 #13

It was comedy - satire of a male news anchor hexola Nov 2017 #17

Bill O"Reily was not around then oberliner Nov 2017 #25

Seriously? cwydro Nov 2017 #34

She needs to watch Mad Men to understand the culture then Drahthaardogs Nov 2017 #43

Walter Cronkite was the archtype during that period oberliner Nov 2017 #66

I always took Weekend Update to be a parody of an network affiliate hexola Nov 2017 #40

At this point, I can only presume you're being willfully obtuse. LanternWaste Nov 2017 #48

Thank you oberliner Nov 2017 #67

It was a direct spoof of the "Point, Counterpoint" segment of 60 Minutes jberryhill Nov 2017 #52

Thanks for sharing that oberliner Nov 2017 #69

The one example of Shana on 60 Minutes I could find caraher Nov 2017 #135

Yep. I still get a kick out of reading right winger commenters on YouTube.... Hassin Bin Sober Nov 2017 #168

I know - it is hard to believe a liberal treestar Nov 2017 #199

Yes, I always hated that line, finding it socially backward & hugely unfunny whathehell Nov 2017 #28

I cannot believe you cannot see how that was aimed at ignorant men. cwydro Nov 2017 #33

Exactly - that was the joke... hexola Nov 2017 #44

I know, I laughed at the time. cwydro Nov 2017 #46

The joke is that Bettie Nov 2017 #185

I can't believe you think that:s an absolute Fact, rather than whathehell Nov 2017 #130

In the context of the times...it was different. hexola Nov 2017 #35

Hexola...I am "of" those times, and I can tell you that it wasn't whathehell Nov 2017 #124

Which was a direct parody of existing media jberryhill Nov 2017 #55

That was one level, but it was also an attack on women Not Ruth Nov 2017 #57

You don't seem to understand that the "joke" was about conservative sexism jberryhill Nov 2017 #62

No one should ever bother explaining the joke RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #161

Come on! That is clearly a parody of a misogynists treestar Nov 2017 #198

Oh god Loki Liesmith Nov 2017 #11

All I remember is Pete Tagliani hexola Nov 2017 #12

Pawing and grabbing? Alenne Nov 2017 #15

Yep Meowmee Nov 2017 #24

Me too. When you begin with a false statement, spooky3 Nov 2017 #60

Me too. I stopped reading at grabbing. Bull shit. Hassin Bin Sober Nov 2017 #165

Let's wait and see if further accusations emerge. kstewart33 Nov 2017 #18

And let's not forget that he deliberately wrote 1986's One More Saturday Night Orrex Nov 2017 #19

I need a break tymorial Nov 2017 #20

I think some of the high dudgeon we read and hear from our side is just virtue signaling. nt tblue37 Nov 2017 #224

You really seem to have a problem with Franken. cwydro Nov 2017 #21

That Roy Moore is a disgusting human being goes without saying oberliner Nov 2017 #86

You have had had how many OP's about Franken ? I have not seen one about Moore from you though. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #193

Me neither. cwydro Nov 2017 #205

Damn right... Franken is a good guy...and everyday...Tweeden looks more like a big liar. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #227

He didn't "paw" Tweeden's breasts, nor did he "grab" them. Demit Nov 2017 #22

Thank you. This is getting ridiculous. cwydro Nov 2017 #30

The Tweedenistas have constructed a complete alternate narrative in their minds bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #39

Skip that paragraph then oberliner Nov 2017 #90

"Skip that part, Mrs Lincoln. How was the rest of your evening?" Demit Nov 2017 #98

The author of the article could be off base on what she says in some of the piece oberliner Nov 2017 #128

She was "off base" on the easiest part of the Franken story to debunk RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #183

I finally read the rest of her hit job: "From Franken and Harvey Weinstein to Roger Ailes and Demit Nov 2017 #126

The article is by a left-wing feminist author oberliner Nov 2017 #129

She is arguing dishonestly. Which does no credit to her thesis. Demit Nov 2017 #164

The OP seems to have a real problem that Franken isn't being crucified, and should be placed in the still_one Nov 2017 #32

OP also tried to push the tweet that said Heather Heyer's murderer RandiFan1290 Nov 2017 #37

I agree. Why is this OP not posting about 45, or Moore? cwydro Nov 2017 #38

He does not belong any near any category including those two people oberliner Nov 2017 #87

I do appreciate the clarification. For better or worse, it seems that is all we are discussing still_one Nov 2017 #95

And why do we need to discuss this in the context of Franken...while giving the usual suspects a Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #194

He didn't grab her in the photo Drahthaardogs Nov 2017 #36

its called comedy.....like wtf is that a new concept or is everything now suppose to be beachbum bob Nov 2017 #41

It's as if Carrie Nation and Joe McCarthy had children and they're all bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #45

Lol. cwydro Nov 2017 #49

Or it's as if people feel strongly about sexism and misogyny oberliner Nov 2017 #93

Or it's as if some people are really nostalgic for the McMartin era bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #204

You seem to have a real problem with him. cwydro Nov 2017 #206

White people mocking black people used to be called comedy oberliner Nov 2017 #91

so basic standards of right/wrong don't apply to "comedians?" really? sounds like a sweet gig, where TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #213

Benny Hill comes to mind sagesnow Nov 2017 #42

There's a whole TV series in the UK about this: Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #118

I understand what you are saying, oberliner, I really do. And you're taking a lot of shit for it Squinch Nov 2017 #47

What joke with the soldier? LisaL Nov 2017 #50

Yes. I will correct. Jeez. Squinch Nov 2017 #51

She lied about the kiss already. She says he "wrote" it in Drahthaardogs Nov 2017 #53

I suspect it will, but I won't be satisfied with internet rumors, nor will internet rumors clear Squinch Nov 2017 #59

Post removed Post removed Nov 2017 #64

Oberliner is not a republican hack. You should self delete that or I will alert. Squinch Nov 2017 #85

Well she is posting editorials that contain blatant lies Drahthaardogs Nov 2017 #94

You're calling her a troll. She is not one. Squinch Nov 2017 #140

uh-huh DiverDave Nov 2017 #104

If you feel this place is "getting worse every day" you certainly have plenty of options. Squinch Nov 2017 #149

So did you alert? snooper2 Nov 2017 #110

No. I was going to come back and see if he had deleted. Apparently someone else alerted. Squinch Nov 2017 #143

I'm willing to bet an investigation never happens. Demit Nov 2017 #68

That might happen too. It seems to me he is pressing for it for a reason. Squinch Nov 2017 #81

Twitter is where the video showed up that refutes one element of her story. Demit Nov 2017 #107

Twitter is also where we got the fake tweet from the guy who claimed he was the Squinch Nov 2017 #139

Yes, pseudonymous tweets should be met with skepticism. Demit Nov 2017 #159

I agree, but the fact is we don't. So I don't pay attention unless it's from Squinch Nov 2017 #163

No, the fact is that *some of us* don't. Some of us are gullible, but not everyone. Demit Nov 2017 #184

I never said that I consider the NYT to "always be an unassailable source of information." Squinch Nov 2017 #187

Sorry I offended you. I'm sure you are right in your choice of credible sources. Demit Nov 2017 #188

More condescension. Charming. Have a lovely day. Squinch Nov 2017 #189

Thanks! You too. Demit Nov 2017 #190

Wow JustAnotherGen Nov 2017 #54

Yes. Thank you. cwydro Nov 2017 #56

I don't want to get rid of anyone oberliner Nov 2017 #76

OK, it's acknowledged. Now can we get back to 2017 where we all know this and have known it... brush Nov 2017 #117

Amen JustAnotherGen Nov 2017 #146

Pretty clear what is going on here. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2017 #208

OP what is your intent? This is little more than a hit piece and above the intelligence here Doremus Nov 2017 #58

The author of the article in the OP is a left-wing feminist oberliner Nov 2017 #70

does intent really matter? IMO, the only thing that matters is whether a statement is true or not. TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #211

The first two sentences of the post contains 3 lies. SharonClark Nov 2017 #61

I did not write the article oberliner Nov 2017 #75

So an article with lies is OK...if the 'take away' is about something that happened years ago? Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #177

You've really got it in for him don't you. n/t Crunchy Frog Nov 2017 #63

I've got it in for misogyny oberliner Nov 2017 #72

Right and Franken apparently is your poster boy for misognyny...not Moore or Trump, O'Reilley Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #179

Welcome to Full Ignore. denverbill Nov 2017 #65

This article is completely ridiculous. B2G Nov 2017 #77

Jane Curtain has spoken and written extensively about the sexism she faced at SNL oberliner Nov 2017 #88

I'll need to read up on that. B2G Nov 2017 #92

Jane Curtin: "SNL Was A Misogynistic Environment" oberliner Nov 2017 #102

I watched female comics in the 50s: "I Married Joan"; "The Goldbergs"; and, of course, "I Love WinkyDink Nov 2017 #220

Yep, not saying there were none, B2G Nov 2017 #221

There's a REASON Lucille Ball is an icon. WinkyDink Nov 2017 #228

Democrats pile on MFM008 Nov 2017 #80

you seem very concerned .. stonecutter357 Nov 2017 #83

The article addresses sexism and misogyny in the male-dominated comedy-writing world of SNL then oberliner Nov 2017 #89

#fakenews. stonecutter357 Nov 2017 #141

How provoking . nocalflea Nov 2017 #96

It is thought-provoking oberliner Nov 2017 #101

You keep busy obamanut2012 Nov 2017 #97

Fighting sexism and misogyny is a passion of mine oberliner Nov 2017 #100

"in a way that a certain sketch comedy show perfected" OilemFirchen Nov 2017 #105

Not as bad as... Mike Nelson Nov 2017 #106

The rampant sexism and misogyny in comedy during the 1970s is grotesque oberliner Nov 2017 #108

The problems in the 1970's were..... CatMor Nov 2017 #121

Sexism on SNL is definitely not one of the major problems of the 1970s oberliner Nov 2017 #127

you can't walk and chew gum at the same time? it's not either/or. nt TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #216

Of course I can CatMor Nov 2017 #218

Just as I defended his accsuer, I will defend him.... usedtobedemgurl Nov 2017 #113

I agree with your points oberliner Nov 2017 #120

oberliner... usedtobedemgurl Nov 2017 #125

You're Certainly Catching It For Observing The Truth Me. Nov 2017 #119

Thanks for this response oberliner Nov 2017 #122

There's a UK TV series: Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #123

There used to be a US game show called "Family Feud" oberliner Nov 2017 #131

In one UK daytime darts game show from the 1980s, the comedian host asked a male contestant: Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #134

I once heard Shirley Manson of Garbage (who is from Edinburgh).... RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #175

I think it's usually meant archly, for laughs. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #178

Seeing as youre going after entertainment... CatMor Nov 2017 #145

So true. The likes of Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson said stuff that not even a KKKer would OnDoutside Nov 2017 #132

Yeah, then we had the "anti-PC" backlash in the 1990s and 2000s, Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #137

Especially being Irish, we had to put with all their "Mick jokes". Awful stuff. OnDoutside Nov 2017 #142

Ugh. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #153

The parallel to the subtle way it goes on now mirrors the dog whistling in the US, doesn't it ? I OnDoutside Nov 2017 #166

Yes, it does. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #174

You seem very invested in this. n/m RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #133

Yes, fighting sexism and misogyny is a top priority for me oberliner Nov 2017 #144

Making sure Roy Moore doesnt get elected would help RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #147

Then why Franken? treestar Nov 2017 #202

Progressive Zambero Nov 2017 #136

Your getting nowhere with your smear attempts. pwb Nov 2017 #150

This is an article in the Washington Post by a left-wing feminist writer oberliner Nov 2017 #152

It is a smear and unfair to pin Saturday Night sexism years ago on Franken. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #181

You had a very different view when it came to Jerry Lewis JI7 Nov 2017 #151

Very true oberliner Nov 2017 #154

Boom. Good find. Kingofalldems Nov 2017 #155

Agreed oberliner Nov 2017 #158

He wasn't a Democrat. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #182

nice hitjob but it was a fail like the last one ....... stonecutter357 Nov 2017 #156

This article was published by the Washington Post oberliner Nov 2017 #160

Confirmation bias doesn't help your argument. OilemFirchen Nov 2017 #172

Why are you still doing this? Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #167

Pretty standard for TV then. Charlies Angels and Threes Company were huge hits too Freethinker65 Nov 2017 #176

All In The Family.... RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #180

yes it was, but that certainly doesn't make it right, so who cares? nt TheFrenchRazor Nov 2017 #217

Comedic and dramatic television writing has changed throughout the years Freethinker65 Nov 2017 #219

This duscussion should be about a culture that has permitted and rewarded sexism and misogyny loyalsister Nov 2017 #186

1970's SNL was also a commentary on the stuff "you can't speak about".... RhodeIslandOne Nov 2017 #200

The OP and my points were not a criticism of intellectual value of SNL loyalsister Nov 2017 #207

"... was heinous" Really? jalan48 Nov 2017 #192

1975 was 1975 treestar Nov 2017 #195

Gilda Radner came out of SNL MaryMagdaline Nov 2017 #203

This message was self-deleted by its author Eliot Rosewater Nov 2017 #209

The photo does NOT show him pawing or grabbing her breasts. It shows him pretending he tblue37 Nov 2017 #222

And full of jokes disparaging men njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #226