Today's MOZEN: To BEE or Not To BEE

F LoBuono

In the course of the last week or so, two of the Country's most famous comedians made statements that landed them in hot water to say the least. First, Rosanne Barr, host of  ABC TV's top rated comedy show of her own name, produced what most rational people would consider a blatantly racist Tweet. Afterward, she exacerbated the situation by blaming it on her sleep medication. Then, Samantha Bee, award winning host of her own show on TBS, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, used a vulgar expletive during the taping of her program when describing a photo of Ivanka Trump and her toddler son. Contrary to Barr's response, Bee assumed responsibility for her statement and immediately apologized. Barr seemed to suffer the more serious consequences having her show cancelled by ABC. Bee, so far, despite some public outrage, has only lost a few sponsors and her show has not been cancelled.

I believe there are a number of important issues to be discussed and points to be made here. And, it has nothing to do with entertainment news. It's much deeper than that.

First, and foremost, I am an ardent supporter of the 1st Amendment, i.e. the RIGHT to Freedom of Expression. And, I believe that to be across the board. NO ONE has the right to stifle the thoughts and words of another - yes, even hate speech. People are allowed to be assholes. They are even allowed to be fucking vulgar. It's too fucking bad if you don't like it. There is a simple solution: don't support it. If my writing is too intense for you, don't read it. That is your choice. It is NOT your choice to prevent me from writing it.

The consequences of my actions are a different thing entirely.

So, it is with the case with these two ladies. NEITHER should have their show cancelled. Even though there are distinct difference in the two cases, the ultimate outcome should be decided in the court of public opinion - if you find what these women say to be offensive, you have the final word - don't support them in any fashion!

THIS is the American Way - it's called FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.

However, there are a few key distinctions to be made in the two cases: Ms. Barr's Tweet was made independently of her program and reeked of racism and bigotry. It was not said in the context of her program to make a point. Without that context to counter it, the statement could only be interpreted as her own twisted version of race relations. Despite her efforts, and those of her supporters, there simply is no excuse.

As for Ms. Bee, her supporters claim that although her statement may have been vulgar, it lacked the vicious race baiting of Ms. Barr's. This may be true, but I was not upset because it was vulgar - if you haven't noticed, I swear like a fucking stable boy. I sure as shit ain't no Boy Scout! It was the NATURE of the comment. It was ugly and mean-spirited. It was calculated to create the most pain. Therefore, I was left to wonder if Ms. Bee was not being as guilty as the people she looked to chastise.

I understand the point that she was trying to make about the hypocrisy of a beautiful photo of mother and son (as the Trump photo was) while her father's policies are separating immigrant mothers from their sons! Well, THAT'S what she SHOULD have said. And, saying that others have said so much and more is not a valid excuse. I don't see the moral equivalence - bad behavior is just that, no matter where is comes from or who creates it. Also, I'm shocked that a woman would use a term so universally reviled by other women that to use it is to cross some imaginary line in the sand.

Look, I get it. In the tradition of Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, George Carlin, Richard Prior and other, socially conscious comedians, the good ones are always looking for an edge. It's how they get remembered! But, it has to have a point - otherwise, it's just vulgar crap.