Daniel Tosh gets the support of fellow comedians
Daniel Tosh performs, as part of the South Beach Comedy Festival, at the Lincoln Theater in Miami. (Jan. 23, 2009) Credit: AP
After a blogger's post about Daniel Tosh's rape-related jokes during a show at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, many have spoken out against the comedian. But some fellow comedians aren’t pointing fingers. They are on Tosh’s side.
“Wow, @danieltosh had to apologize to a self-aggrandizing, idiotic blogger. Hope I never have to do that (again),” Patton Oswalt, the “King of Queens” actor, wrote on Twitter.
“To all the idiots! I completely support Daniel Tosh being a comic in a comedy club! Even if it means rape jokes! @danieltosh,” Opie from radio’s “Opie and Anthony show” also tweeted.
It seems some comedians believe they shouldn’t be expected to apologize for what is said during a stand up show. And this gives them leverage to say whatever comes to mind.
“Going to a Daniel Tosh show and complaining about his humor is like going to a Metallica concert and complaining it’s too loud,” @NewsinFilm tweeted.
Maybe Tosh’s joke was taken out of context and it’s possible the scenario wasn’t exactly how the blogger put it. The Huffington Post is reporting quotes from the comedy club owner, who said another audience member was actually the one who suggested Tosh speak about rape. The Laugh Factory owner reportedly recalled that, after the blogger's female friend screamed in protest, Tosh replied, "Well it sounds like she’s been raped by five guys."
But there's a larger issue: Should a comedian have no self-censorship, even with concerning topics such as rape or AIDS?
