Comics and hecklers
- what's really going on.... (Reflecting on this Tosh fiasco)
I'm not going to elaborate much on
the most superficial reason for why this fiasco is absurd: for as
long as comedy has been around, there have been comics that push the
boundaries of taboo, test the limits of free speech, and give people
a rise by touching upon subjects that make people cringe, upset and
highly offended. It's a part of the business, if you fear it that
much stay away from it. Done with that, now moving on to what I think
is the more important issue: This situation involving Tosh (this
time) stems from the general population's inability to truly grasp
some the fundamental components regarding the nature of stand up
comedy, and the incredibly offensive practice of heckling.
You don't go to a comedy club to "stand
up for something you believe in" when something you happen to be
offended by comes up, especially when you've gone to see one of the
most edgy comics working in the business today. Her job was to shut
up and watch the show, and leave if she was upset by something. Do
you start yelling during a play if the actors start doing something
contrary to your beliefs? Comics are the only people that have to
deal with this level disrespect on a regular basis, and every time
one of them does something to cut down a heckler, people try to judge
it so harshly. "Hmmm... that may have been a mean thing to say
to that poor poor woman that interrupted his performance, and might
have thrown off a set, at a big show, maybe even during a joke he's
been working on perfecting for 10 months .... hmmm, what a meanie!"
You need to understand this dynamic before you judge a comic with
his back against the wall. Once you open your mouth, be ready for a
fight; It's up to the comic to choose however he deems necessary to
defend himself, while simultaneously being funny, quick, and keeping
control in the room.
Some of the claims I've heard regarding
why it was so offensive are pretty ridiculous and making more out of
the event than need be. Tosh wasn't trying to demonstrate masculine
control, nor emphasize some overarching theme of a patriarchal
society and capitalize on women's vulnerability - give me a break. I
bet he would have just as easily said the same thing to a dude...
He's just saying that the person is such a nuisance that he wishes
the worst thing ever would happen to them, because in that moment the
heckler is the single largest cause of annoyance in his world.
This disconnect regarding the
relationship between the comic and the audience is what leads to
angry crowds when the comic goes "overboard," and furious
comics when the crowd tries to "help." I know it can be
confusing because many comics want to create the vibe like "we're
all just hanging out, I'm just chilling and talking to you guys."
That's why I try not to get too angry when a heckler tries to "help"
or chime in with their opinion during my set. But, when people want
to jump on a comic for his tactics during the fight I feel so annoyed
that I'm compelled to write a 4 paragraph presentation on the matter.
(and I don't normally do this stuff...don't remember the last time i
left a comment on something like this) I just think people need to
understand what is really going on, from the comic's perspective.
Then maybe more people would sit and listen, talk less, and treat a
stand up performance like any other live entertainment, and act like
an audience there only to listen and respect the entertainer that has
been working YEARS and YEARS and YEARS on his art of making you
laugh.
Anyone who chooses to judge Tosh
harshly because of this clearly does not understand the world of
stand up comedy, or the nature of stand up comics. People think
yelling stuff is ok, or not that bad - and there's the problem. When
you yell out anything at a comic during his set, 99% of the time it
is the most obnoxious annoying insult to us as performers and people.
Moreover, it is an attack, an attack at us in our most vulnerable
position where humiliation, reputation and the credibility of your
wit is on the line. It's a big deal! Even though many comics will
play it off like it's all fun and they'll try to make a light joke
(while all secretly hoping someone would ram a dick into the hecklers
mouth, male or female). Now when see someone heckle during a show in
any capacity, hopefully you'll understand the gravity of the offense
in the eyes of a comic. So, the next time you see a heckler send out
a missile, don't be so surprised if the comic hits 'em back with a
nuke.
