Am I overreacting by being upset at this Seinfeld joke?

Thoughts_Arrive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gPJpzgPReE

I have only seen a handful of episodes on television and always laughed. I thought I'd buy the whole series as a dvd box set for myself.
I got to this episode and I don't know, don't feel like continuing.
I felt sickened at this "joke".
As someone who has gone through dark times and been close to ending it I was angered.
I wish I could return my box set at the store but I don't think they'd refund me.

Are there any more shit "jokes" like this in the remainder of the series?

hedonist

Eh, things affect people differently.  I like some (actually, a lot of) dark humor.  Hell, as someone whose grandparents were hauled off to a camp during the Holocaust, I thought the Curb episode of "The Survivor" was hilarious.  Even that recent bit Larry did on SNL.

*edit - I should emphasize that I'm far from lacking empathy toward your experiences and how it impacts your reaction.  Albeit it in other ways, suicide has touched my life as well.

F Me In The Brain

I think one if the things that is so great about that show is it's irreverence and pointing at how silly we can be as people.
George offends everyone.  That is his gag.
If this offends you, i think you may want to find someone to give the series to who will enjoy it.  It's one of the most popular shows ever because there was a time (not that long ago) when people were allowed to make jokes and everything wasn't a real life commentary on how you should behave.  
I love the show.
I hate our current climate of being offended at everything, everywhere.
This climate is offensive to me.

Thoughts_Arrive

I don't know, I just think mental illness and suicides should be off limits.

F Me In The Brain

I can respect that opinion, of course.  I think nothing is off limits depending on context and audience.
"Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand."

I have found that laughter always helps me....but I understand others not agreeing with that.

Thoughts_Arrive

The way some have used laugher to make sense of their mental illness I have no issue with.
I know Carrie Fisher did used laughter.
But the way Jerry Seinfeld used it seemed very nasty.

darwinstheory

F Me In The Brain said:

I can respect that opinion, of course.  I think nothing is off limits depending on context and audience.
"Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand."

I have found that laughter always helps me....but I understand others not agreeing with that.

I agree with this. 

rgambs

Thoughts_Arrive said:

I don't know, I just think mental illness and suicides should be off limits.

Once you start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits.

Thoughts_Arrive

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

SVRDhand13

It’s 30 seconds of a nine season show. Of course they won’t accept a return for this reason. 

rgambs

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

DarthMaeglin

Just watched the posted clip, and I’m glad I was never a fan of the show or his standup. No way that routine flies today, in my opinion.

northerndragon

You should just be offended by the fact that it's the most unfunny show ever. 

rgambs

There are bad jokes, there are jokes that are fucked up, there are jokes that are too soon and too personal, but the issue is the joke and it's context, not the joke's subject matter.

You don't joke about the Holocaust at a memorial, you don't tell suicide jokes to Chester Bennington's family, but both have a time and place where they should be wholly acceptable.

Thoughts_Arrive

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

I don't think things like that are for joking. That's just me.

northerndragon

Also if you were offended by the joke then that is your reality. No one else can be the judge of what offends you, only you can do that. I say give returning it a try, if that doesn't work and you really don't want to keep the box set then post it for sale and get rid of it.

rgambs

I just watched the clip.
Pretty tame stuff.

Y'all must be new to stand-up comedy lol

rgambs

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

I don't think things like that are for joking. That's just me.

Maybe comedy is not for you?

Thoughts_Arrive

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

I don't think things like that are for joking. That's just me.

Maybe comedy is not for you?

Not that kind of comedy. 

rgambs

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

I don't think things like that are for joking. That's just me.

Maybe comedy is not for you?

Not that kind of comedy. 

There's always Bill Cosby, he may have been raping ladies, but his comedy was clean.

rgambs

northerndragon said:

You should just be offended by the fact that it's the most unfunny show ever. 

Are you saying that Two and a Half Men is funnier than Seinfeld?
Big Bang Theory?
Joanie Loves Chachi is funnier than Seinfeld??

lastexitlondon

People often laugh at things they are scared of. 
This guy isn't funny full stop.
Throw the boxset in the bin and leave this where it belongs. Just un funny in my opinion. Its not clever "comedy" in my eyes. 

Thoughts_Arrive

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

rgambs said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Would jokes about the holocaust or what African-Americans went through be an exception? Or is it still if we start setting limits, it's only a matter of time until everything is off limits?

Yeah, it's only a matter of time. 
You've never heard Holocaust or slavery jokes?
Are you new to comedy?
No exceptions.

If you have to ask yourself if you're right to be offended by a joke, you've already got your answer.

I don't think things like that are for joking. That's just me.

Maybe comedy is not for you?

Not that kind of comedy. 

There's always Bill Cosby, he may have been raping ladies, but his comedy was clean.

I'll just stick to my beloved Simpsons.

Thoughts_Arrive

lastexitlondon said:

People often laugh at things they are scared of. 
This guy isn't funny full stop.
Throw the boxset in the bin and leave this where it belongs. Just un funny in my opinion. Its not clever "comedy" in my eyes. 

I don't have much of an income being a full-time student.
Wish I saved my $65.
I've loved every episode, laughed a lot but when I got to this episode it's disgusted me. 
I'll see if I can exchange it for a store voucher and spend it on something else.

lastexitlondon

If not trade it. Or put it up on RAK. I mean ive never seen the guy before. He is a nobody in uk. But there is something for everyone i guess.As we say here. Not my cup of tea

Who Princess

I'm a pretty irreverent person and I'll joke about almost anything, but I think there's a time and a place for that kind of humor.   I also think that we all have a boundary when it comes to certain topics, based on our own beliefs and experiences.  For example, I won't tolerate jokes about rape.  Let's just say I've had enough experience with the reality that I'll never find it funny.

I do a lot of training and public speaking.  I used to train with a guy from another organization that was an expert on suicide.  He'd begin his presentations by saying that there wasn't going to be any joking about the subject while he was speaking.  He acknowledged that people may laugh about suicide in some settings and he in fact collected suicide jokes, which he'd share in other circumstances.  But there would be no laughing about it while everyone was learning.  I liked the way he handled it.

You don't have to like every joke to appreciate comedy.  I don't think you're overreacting when you've got your own feelings about it and you're entitled to them.

If you can't get past the joke to enjoy the rest of the series, I can understand that too.  Lots of people think Lily Tomlin is funny and talented.  She came to my university and did a stand up routine.  She was absolutely the rudest, most offensive (in terms of how she treated her audience) performer I've ever encountered.  That was many, many years ago and I still don't like her or anything she does.  I can't get past remembering how rude and insulting she was when I saw her live.

Thoughts_Arrive

lastexitlondon said:

If not trade it. Or put it up on RAK. I mean ive never seen the guy before. He is a nobody in uk. But there is something for everyone i guess.As we say here. Not my cup of tea

What's RAK?

Thoughts_Arrive

My grandmother committed suicide, so this one is personal to me.

oftenreading

Thoughts_Arrive said:

lastexitlondon said:

If not trade it. Or put it up on RAK. I mean ive never seen the guy before. He is a nobody in uk. But there is something for everyone i guess.As we say here. Not my cup of tea

What's RAK?

Thread on Lost Dogs. It stands for Random Act of Kindness.

hedonist

Sam Kinison talking about starving countries is among my favorites.  Doesn't mean i laugh at people actually needing sustenance.  We find humor where we can and do, and within that, our own kind of comfort.

Not for you?  Walk away, toss it, sell it.

If someone doesn't dig a certain stance, fine.  Get rid of it, let the offense to you or whomever do its thing for better or worse, and move on.

Put that energy to good use?

northerndragon

rgambs said:

northerndragon said:

You should just be offended by the fact that it's the most unfunny show ever. 

Are you saying that Two and a Half Men is funnier than Seinfeld?
Big Bang Theory?
Joanie Loves Chachi is funnier than Seinfeld??

Yes,  I have laughed at least once at each of those shows. Which is more than I have laughed at anything Seinfeld. Seinfeld sucks, always has always will.