Larry David and the double standards in America

[Pentangeli]

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...rinates-jesus/

In the U.S media, there's a constant attack on Christianity. Yet whenever somebody has the guts to speak out about the asinine drivel that is Judaism, such views aren't accepted, and often people hide behind their ethnicity to prevent any attacks on the ideological belief.

What Larry David did was a disgrace. I wonder if he would find it funny if someone pissed on a Synagogue. Lets find out...

[Cosimo]

i think he would find it funny. he is certainly a self mocking jew

the ep wasn't all that funny, the bald man line up made me chuckle

[screamer581]

Dude, he was taking medicine! He didn't plan on pissing on Christ.

[Adam J. Hakari]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Yet whenever somebody has the guts to speak out about the asinine drivel that is Judaism

Erm...?

[BakeTheMooCow]

It's funny because most of the miracles you hear about involve Jesus crying real tears or blood or something. Why would pissing on a Synagogue be funny? Do people claim that the walls of their Synagogue are crying?

Cosimo is right that the episode wasn't that funny. Last night's was much better.

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by BakeTheMooCow

It's funny because most of the miracles you hear about involve Jesus crying real tears or blood or something. Why would pissing on a Synagogue be funny? Do people claim that the walls of their Synagogue are crying?

Cosimo is right that the episode wasn't that funny. Last night's was much better.

Pissing on a synagogue wouldn't be funny. Neither would a Danish man drawing derogatory cartoons of Muhammad. But none of those would be presented by the mainstream media as funny and entertaining. Therein lies the double standard.

[Preston_79]

That was the funniest episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm I'd seen in a while.

There is a double standard, but I say so what? Christians need to be the bigger religion and laugh at themselves once in a while and not be as humorless and intolerant as some others. Lighten up!

[SkyNet]

you cant be serious?!

Its fucking Curb Your Enthusiasm.. everything is made fun of.. i thought that shit was fucking hilarious and when i saw it, i could not stop laughing.

It's people like whoever bitch about this harmless episode that make this country such a terrible place... everything is something to bitch about, you cant let creative people just do their thing, you have to tear them apart because they are more creative than you are (you being the vast majority of religious people in this country, or any one who agrees with anything Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson say)

Now, i may disagree with almost anything these people say, but i agree that they have the right to say it.. but when they try and break down others for doing stuff, it becomes unacceptable to me... because these types of ppl are the epitome of a double standard.. what's ok for them is not for others.


Larry David is a comedic genius, and that episode was amazing.
Fox News does nothing but bitch about everything and thusly can never be taken seriously, especially since by their own definition, the majority of their programming is not even news!

(and note when i say "You" i am speaking in generalizations, not to any particular person.. although Glenn Beck is a complete idiot, but thats another discussion)!

[Smiert Spionam]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...rinates-jesus/

In the U.S media, there's a constant attack on Christianity....

I stopped reading there.

[Badbird]

Originally Posted by Smiert Spionam

I stopped reading there.

Me too.

[zombievictim]

Originally Posted by Badbird

Me too.

Hahah that cracked me up.

Fuck religion. Especially Christianity.

[Mr. Peanut]

Originally Posted by zombievictim

Hahah that cracked me up.

Fuck religion. Especially Christianity.

I dont totally agree with the wording, but this. ^

That pie chart cracked me up too. I cant believe someone is saying that Christianity is constantly attacked in the US... I see nothing but otherwise. It is either praised or brushed over, never attacked. I also agree with Preston, although I feel all religious persons need to lighten up... but Im sure thats never gonna happen.

I dont think Larry David was making fun so much as he was having fun with it. To each their own...

[blankpage]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...rinates-jesus/

In the U.S media, there's a constant attack on Christianity. Yet whenever somebody has the guts to speak out about the asinine drivel that is Judaism, such views aren't accepted, and often people hide behind their ethnicity to prevent any attacks on the ideological belief.

Yup, since Christianity has been proven not to be asinine drivel, what Larry David did should have him exiled.

[someguy]

Pentangeli, tell us about the great Jewish media conspiracy.

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by SkyNet

Its fucking Curb Your Enthusiasm.. everything is made fun of!

Where was the episode where he pissed in a yamaka?

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by someguy

Pentangeli, tell us about the great Jewish media conspiracy.

I didn't say they was one

However there is a set of values enforced onto society via the media, where attacks on some groups are acceptable, while other groups are protected. That is the conspiracy -- one of double standards.

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by Badbird

Me too.

Now post the stats which are in context of the thread, i.e post the demographs of those in high up positions in the media (writers, producers, directors etc). Mostly Christians? I think not.

[QUENTIN]

This is the episode where Larry pretends to be a Hasidic Jew and spends half the episode muttering over-enunciated fake Hebrew and mocking their silly religious customs: http://www.hbo.com/larrydavid/episod...episode48.html

This is the episode where Larry considers sleeping with a Hasidic woman and can't grasp and subsequently mocks the silly hole-in-the-sheet religious custom, capped off with a barrel of laughs about the relative hardships of the Holocaust and a month of Survivor: http://www.hbo.com/larrydavid/episod...episode39.html

This is the episode where Larry sets up Michael on a blind date with a Muslim woman in a hijab, mocking and getting tons of mileage out of their religious custom that makes it impossible to tell if a woman's attractive: http://www.hbo.com/larrydavid/episod...episode33.html

You were saying something about a double standard?

[Adam J. Hakari]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

I didn't say they was one

Just that Judaism is complete baloney.

See, guys, he's not all bad!

[Mr. Peanut]

Meh. I believe all religions should be made fun of.

"Its a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it... "

[QUENTIN]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Now post the stats which are in context of the thread, i.e post the demographs of those in high up positions in the media (writers, producers, directors etc). Mostly Christians? I think not.

Good point.

Here's a look into the Curb Your Enthusiasm writers' room:

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by Adam J. Hakari

Just that Judaism is complete baloney.

Of course it is. Every religion, if taken word for word, is baloney, even the OT part of the Bible. But that's not to say people should piss on other's beliefs. I dislike Islam, but I'm not going to draw some silly cartoon to insult their belief.

Har-har-har I'm a grown up Danish man and I've just drawn a cartoon of Muhammad har har

Har-har-har I'm old Jewish guy and I've just pissed on a religious icon hardy har har har har.......har............

[SkyNet]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Where was the episode where he pissed in a yamaka?

how about almost every episode where he makes anti-semetic or however its spelled remarks.

Your arguments hold no weight, because you are seeing one thing and choosing to ignore everything else in support of that lone argument.

I think the point of this thread is to point out that these religions are what keeps this world down, whether it be the wars.. or bitching about a COMEDY TV SHOW for a joke on religion... when in fact all religion is.. is a joke!

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by SkyNet

I think the point of this thread is to point out that these religions are what keeps this world down, whether it be the wars..

Yes, because its the religious groups who've profited from the involvement in the Middle East over the years. The Iranian coup d'etat of 53' was all about religion

[QUENTIN]

Reverence ain't for everyone and some like taking the piss. Comedians especially, that's actually what they're here for. If Larry David's regularly mocking tone about Judaism didn't bother you, this shouldn't have either. As demonstrated, it's not an attack on Christians specifically. He's an equal opportunity offender who has made light of the three big monotheistic religions (which completely discredits the basis of your argument). Besides, he fake pissed on a damn painting, not your savior in the flesh.

If something is admittedly baloney, then it's a fair target for humor. The Mohammed cartoon was a satire mocking how seriously Muslims take the forbidden nature of depicting their prophet. Free speech at its finest. This is just Larry David making fun of everything, especially the taboo, as has always been his schtick. It's not about Jesus, it's just a device to get a laugh. It's not socio-political commentary, but I guess it was bound to offend someone.

Just because you hold something to be sacred doesn't mean those with different values, beliefs, and opinions have to do the same. And their irreverence is not an attack on your beliefs, just a byproduct of them having different ones.

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by QUENTIN

Just because you hold something to be sacred doesn't mean those with different values, beliefs, and opinions have to do the same. And their irreverence is not an attack on your beliefs, just a byproduct of them having different ones.

There's a difference between mocking and urinating.

Dara O'Briain is probably my favourite stand-up, and he sometimes mocks Christianity to a degree, and I have no problem with that.

What gets me is the double standards. You say its an expression of beliefs, but what if someone got a yamaka and pissed in it, to show their contempt for Judaism, do you honestly think it would get approval from media producers.

[SkyNet]

i think this thread is veering into an unsavory place, which can result in some schmoes losing their shit and possibly getting banned! They always start out this way, and even though i have participated in the thread, i think we should put the kibosh on it before it gets out of hand.

I think we are all just going to have to all agree to disagree with Pentangeli (which is an odd name for a schmoe arguing about religion)!

Shit happens... i found the episode hilarious, and get annoyed when people get bent out of shape over small non issues.. but i guess i support the right everyone has to voice those displeasures

[QUENTIN]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

There's a difference between mocking and urinating.

Dara O'Briain is probably my favourite stand-up, and he sometimes mocks Christianity to a degree, and I have no problem with that.

What gets me is the double standards. You say its an expression of beliefs, but what if someone got a yamaka and pissed in it, to show their contempt for Judaism, do you honestly think it would get approval from media producers.

Yarmulke. Sorry, but it's just too funny seeing it spelled like a Japanese word.

I don't think there is a difference between mocking and fake urinating, the latter is just another form of irreverence. I don't think you'd have a problem with if it was a yarmulke or hijab being peed on. The only difference is those wouldn't make sense because people don't see them crying. But yes, they would definitely be aired. It's Larry David and it's HBO, he's loved for his ability to get humor out of the most taboo subjects and they're an uncensored pay channel.

I'm not sure if you missed my first post here, but Larry David has made fun of tons of Jewish customs, sometimes basing entire episodes around it, (and made light of the Holocaust), and had a Muslim woman a primary character in an episode just to get humor out of her religious garment hiding her looks. None of those, including this, are about showing contempt for the religion at all. That's an absurd interpretation if you're familiar with the show. It's simply using the sanctity of religion/religious customs/religious beliefs, as a plot device to get laughs. More shocking, more inappropriate to the characters in the show, more embarrassing for Larry, more humorous for the audience is the way almost all episodes operate whether you think that formula works or not. I'm sure certain Hasidic Jews and Muslims got offended by those scenes too. People are super touchy about religion. That's part of the reason it's so ripe for comedy.

Do you watch Curb?

[bigred760]

Are people upset that he urinated on a picture of Jesus or because there were characters that believed the picture was weeping? The part of the characters believing that Jesus was crying cracked me up. People who "see" images of Jesus in french toast, sweat stains, or wherever always crack me up.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally Posted by someguy

Pentangeli, tell us about the great Jewish media conspiracy.

Maybe, if we're lucky, he'll start in on the stuff about how they all want to watch Shaquille O'Neal fuck their wives, too.

[Adam J. Hakari]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Of course it is. Every religion, if taken word for word, is baloney, even the OT part of the Bible. But that's not to say people should piss on other's beliefs. I dislike Islam, but I'm not going to draw some silly cartoon to insult their belief.

Then shouldn't Christianity be just as open a target for some joshing? It may not be what you intended, but the tone of your initial post seems to claim that Christianity is getting dive-bombed from every direction, that it's exempt from satire and criticism while it's fine for other religions to be made fun of. Like you say, I'm not about to think lesser of someone because of their faith, but if it's alright for one religion to have a joke or two made at its expense, then the same should go for all.

Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to ridicule the Amish as much. God knows they deserve it.

[RicochetShaw]

Originally Posted by QUENTIN

He's an equal opportunity offender who has made light of the three big monotheistic religions (Which completely discredits the basis of your argument). Besides, he fake pissed on a damn painting, not your savior in the flesh.

This.

Pent, your thesis was that when minority religions (i.e., ones that aren't Christianity) are mocked, "such views aren't accepted." QUENTIN's demonstration that Larry Davis has indeed mocked other religions proves your assertion wrong.

[BubbaStrangelove]

I haven't seen the episode, but the problem here I'm getting is that David didn't mean to piss on the picture. It was accidental.

Even still, Pentsy is taking issue with a Jew pissing on the picture. He doesn't take issue with a Christian hanging a picture of Our Lord and Savior in the proximity of people defecating and urinating. Now that's a double standard!!!

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by RicochetShaw

This.

Pent, your thesis was that when minority religions (i.e., ones that aren't Christianity) are mocked, "such views aren't accepted." QUENTIN's demonstration that Larry Davis has indeed mocked other religions proves your assertion wrong.

Quentin's links don't work for me, maybe its only for Americans. And while I haven't seen the episodes being referred to, for argument sake I'll accept that other religions are made fun of as well.

However, there are of course varying degrees of contempt. I have heard no examples of Larry King disrespecting a religion as much he did with Christianity.

Another issue is that while Larry King may have made anti-Judaism comments, he has Jewish (faith) background. If a Christian had made such comments it would have been a big no no, and everyone here knows it.

My assertion stands: double standards in the media.

I'll now be taking Skynet's advice, his experience of this site, and leave it there.

[Scarface98.9]

"If you don't like it, change the channel..."

[Sgizzy316]

This guy must be late for his Klan meeting since he's too busy reading Fox (as right as it gets) "News"

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Quentin's links don't work for me, maybe its only for Americans. And while I haven't seen the episodes being referred to, for argument sake I'll accept that other religions are made fun of as well.

However, there are of course varying degrees of contempt. I have heard no examples of Larry King disrespecting a religion as much he did with Christianity.

Another issue is that while Larry King may have made anti-Judaism comments, he has Jewish (faith) background. If a Christian had made such comments it would have been a big no no, and everyone here knows it.

My assertion stands: double standards in the media.

I'll now be taking Skynet's advice, his experience of this site, and leave it there.

Larry King???


Pent, you've obviously never watched "Curb..." and I think you've got this one ALL wrong. ANY religion, creed, colour is absolutely fair game to Larry David...and the man has SUPER comedic talent weeping like piss out of Jesus' eyeballs...honestly.

My own experience...

I lived slap bang in the middle of a HUGE Haredi/Orthodox Jewish community until I was in my mid-20's - the second largest in the UK in fact - and I can honestly say that I am now aware of a million and one 'Yid' jokes. Hand on my heart I only remember hearing ONE Jesus joke as a kid and it was pretty tame in comparison.

I admit that I take issue with a few Haredi Jewish customs...mainly the fact that the women have to wear thick wooly tights and ridiculously itchy looking wigs and headscarves even in the sweltering heat. I also find some pockets of the community far too insular and self-serving...and Volvo's are just far too fucking cumbersome. There I said it.

But I have as many issues with almost every other religion/belief system out there...well, all except Quakers. Those kids are crazy cool.

Anyway, all I'm trying to say is I think Christians get off lightly...and since the early 90's the media has been trying to convince the gullible GBP that Christian 'customs' and religious holidays are suffering due to the protestation of other religions, and this is so obviously bullshit. Muslims are not crying out for decorations to be removed from the local community centre, Sikhs haven't called for a ban on kiddies singing Carols...and Jews are not crying out for a kibosh on The Nativity! This is all a heap of nonsense dreamed up by white folks with too much time on their hands and no concept of how political correctness SHOULD actually work.

Christians are certainly not persecuted and I find it difficult to envision a period in my lifetime where they ever will be. As for Christians IN the USA being persecuted...I mean come the fuck on!?

[Pentangeli]

Note to self: never say you're going to leave a thread, when you know full well that you'll be dragged back in a day or so.

Originally Posted by Sgizzy316

This guy must be late for his Klan meeting since he's too busy reading Fox (as right as it gets) "News"

Non sequitur.

Originally Posted by BadCoverVersion

Larry King???


Pent, you've obviously never watched "Curb..." and I think you've got this one ALL wrong. ANY religion, creed, colour is absolutely fair game to Larry David...and the man has SUPER comedic talent weeping like piss out of Jesus' eyeballs...honestly.

My own experience...

I lived slap bang in the middle of a HUGE Haredi/Orthodox Jewish community until I was in my mid-20's - the second largest in the UK in fact - and I can honestly say that I am now aware of a million and one 'Yid' jokes. Hand on my heart I only remember hearing ONE Jesus joke as a kid and it was pretty tame in comparison.

I admit that I take issue with a few Haredi Jewish customs...mainly the fact that the women have to wear thick wooly tights and ridiculously itchy looking wigs and headscarves even in the sweltering heat. I also find some pockets of the community far too insular and self-serving...and Volvo's are just far too fucking cumbersome. There I said it.

But I have as many issues with almost every other religion/belief system out there...well, all except Quakers. Those kids are crazy cool.

Anyway, all I'm trying to say is I think Christians get off lightly...and since the early 90's the media has been trying to convince the gullible GBP that Christian 'customs' and religious holidays are suffering due to the protestation of other religions, and this is so obviously bullshit. Muslims are not crying out for decorations to be removed from the local community centre, Sikhs haven't called for a ban on kiddies singing Carols...and Jews are not crying out for a kibosh on The Nativity! This is all a heap of nonsense dreamed up by white folks with too much time on their hands and no concept of how political correctness SHOULD actually work.

Christians are certainly not persecuted and I find it difficult to envision a period in my lifetime where they ever will be. As for Christians IN the USA being persecuted...I mean come the fuck on!?

Larry King....I meant Larry David.

I haven't mentioned Jewish communities.

I haven't said Christians are being persecuted.

I haven't mentioned religious holidays. The cool ones are mostly Pagan anyway.

What I've been talking about is Larry David pissing on a religious icon is a double standard. A Christian or a Muslim would never be allowed to piss in a Yamaka..Yamulke and for it to be aired. Yes, people make Jewish jokes, although mostly its from Jewish people. Very rarely will you hear a non-Jewish comedian make fun of Jewish customs, it happens, but very rarely. And certainly you wouldn't see a Christian or Muslim pissing on something of significance to the Jewish faith.

[Pentangeli]

Originally Posted by Scarface98.9

"If you don't like it, change the channel..."

News just in: Channel 4 released a scandalous sex tape involving Roman Polanski and an underage girl. In response to the public backlash, Downing Street has released its stance on the matter: "if you don't like, change the channel...", read the statement, heavy handedly written in crayon.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally Posted by Pentangeli

Note to self: never say you're going to leave a thread, when you know full well that you'll be dragged back in a day or so.



Non sequitur.



Larry King....I meant Larry David.

I haven't mentioned Jewish communities.

I haven't said Christians are being persecuted.

I haven't mentioned religious holidays. The cool ones are mostly Pagan anyway.

What I've been talking about is Larry David pissing on a religious icon is a double standard. A Christian or a Muslim would never be allowed to piss in a Yamaka..Yamulke and for it to be aired. Yes, people make Jewish jokes, although mostly its from Jewish people. Very rarely will you hear a non-Jewish comedian make fun of Jewish customs, it happens, but very rarely. And certainly you wouldn't see a Christian or Muslim pissing on something of significance to the Jewish faith.

My point was that according to my own experience the modern Christian has very little to bitch and whine about. They are not feared and persecuted and relentlessly (mis)judged to the degree that a Muslim or Jew is.

Anyway, you originally took issue with the fact that Larry David had specifically mocked a symbol of Christianity. When it was pointed out that he has mocked both Judaism and Islam in past episodes of "Curb Your Enthsiasm" you started spouting on about 'double standards'.

"Curb..." is a satire, and an intelligent, highbrow one at that. Some idiot source at Fox News claim that artists NEVER mock any other religions in the name of comedy and they are clearly exceptionally wrong in this case. Fox News makes another boo-boo. What a surprise!

Comedians tend to derive material from/mock what they know...and I can't really think of a single Jewish comedian who regularly cracks funnies about Christianity in the same way that I couldn't name a Muslim or a Christian who targets any religion other than their own.

However, I can think of a million Jew jokes from films and TV (smart ones to boot)...you're living a sheltered life if you think Judaism doesn't take a comedic kicking. Most religions/belief systems do in one way or another.

Would you see this issue any differently if Larry David was a CHRISTIAN man lampooning the event of a Christian miracle?