Humor nowadays is cruel and it’s viewed as normal. People never know where to draw the line when it comes to making a joke. The goal of comedy is to make people laugh whether it’s comedy in writing, movies or stand-up shows. Comedy can be effective without being offensive. Something could be offensive, but if it is in the form of a joke, it is like we lose the intended cruelty of the words.
Humor and comedy has to evolve. Jokes around the time of the 1990s are usually unacceptable by today’s standards. Making jokes at other people’s expense is hurtful, not funny. Have you ever had a joke made about you and you feel totally isolated and alone while everyone else is laughing? It is cruel, but all it feels like you can do is sit back and laugh at yourself with everyone else. Making people laugh doesn’t mean you have to single someone out to make them feel bad about any part of themselves. Before making jokes people should think to themselves and ask if they would laugh at this joke if they were the ones being singled out.
People need to understand the boundary line between funny and offensive. Celebrities lose their fans and reputation if they say the wrong thing. Comedians should know what will make their audience laugh. We are told that we are too easily offended, but I believe that good human decency doesn’t have to be a bad thing.