Paul Simon live on BBC & borat

Its cool. I am sitting on the bed after a day of ICS and FACSing listening to Paul Simon live on the BBC. Its brilliant.
Also, needed a break from work so decided to pen my random thoughts down.

So, while in dark room today I saw a few clips of Borat on www. youtube.com. I remember seeing the trailer when I went to watch Talladega Nights and thought it to be horribly rude, loud and obnoxious. So, I never contemplated watching it..until today. I saw some clips from his previous episodes and there were bits which were funny. Others weren't.

Most of his jokes are puerile and sexual. He seems to keep making fun of people's discomfort with discussing sex or sexual activities in public. I am not a prude or anything, but I dont think there is anything wrong with not discussing sex in public.

Now, despite the fact that we all know he is over-the-top comedy, very slap stick and intended to potray a western stereotype of Central Asian culture, I find his insistent disparaging of women slightly unnerving.

Some of his stuff is just funny. There is a very funny bit, where he visits a dating agency in America. Its incredibly funny not because of him , but the lady running the agency. There is such a naivety and righteousness about the woman who is trying to inculcate this barbarian about western woman and western values, that makes this entire scene comic.

At one point, he talks about "crushing a cheating woman". The woman answers," I am sorry but if you keep saying that you wont fit our agency criterion. American women wont date someone who keeps saying that". As if, domestic violence and infedility crimes dont occur in the West.

Anyway, what I still kept thinking was what is the limit in offensive comedy and is there a limit we shouldn't or couldn't cross. At what point does comedy turn into invidious behaviour? More importantly, should society ban such undesirable humour?

In my opinion and after much thought, I cant think of any reason to ban any form of expression. I think its a personal choice as to whether you wish to see such forms of entertainment. The fact that things like Jerry Springer and Borat, Ali G are popular indicate that there is a market for this kind of comedy. If people did not watch or enjoy these people, they would not be on TV or popular. In balance, its probably important that expression of these forms of satire are allowed. Can you imagine Jerry Seinfield as our only form of humour?

so, although I would never pay money or even accept money to watch Borat except for curiosity values, I also accept that some people like it and for them its worth the money. So why should I care?

Ok back to writing tutorial reports.