Anti-semitic row hits Edinburgh : Do comics hate Jews?

[oberliner]

A major row has broken out over claims an anti-semitic sentiment is rife among comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Jewish writer Jamie Glassman, who worked on the Ali G show, says after spending a few days at the festival ‘it is becoming increasingly acceptable to hate the Jews. Again’.

He took particular issue with Australian comedian Steve Hughes who, he said: ‘Did little to hide his Jew-hatred.’

In an article in today’s Times, Glassman quotes Hughes as joking that kids should play Nazis and Jews, which was greeted with one audience member saying: ‘Throw them in the oven.’ Hughes also said: ‘I want to bash Condoleezza Rice’s brain to bits and kill that fucking Jew Richard Perle.’

http://www.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=1977

[mike_c]

1. that's not funny....

I wonder whether it's fair to generalize Hughes' remarks to the entire festival, but clearly the quotes cited are the worst brand of shock humor at best.

[EFerrari]

2. This makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Lots of young comics try to be as offensive as possible, equating comedy with making your audience cringe. Not funny.

It's not just anti-Semitism, it's every button-pushing piece of bigotry.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Earlier discussion, and links to Glassman's article, here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1919236

[Kickoutthejams23]

4. Not every....

The Edinburgh festival claimed to take on all religions and did have some funny (if obvious) bits like Jesus being sent to Guantanamo. But in reality its a aa bit cowardly. Picking on Christians in England is like making fun of France. Muslims parody however was noticeable in its absence.

They were too scared to make fun of Muslims. Bunch of cowardly wankers IMHO.