Scoot Blog: Keep Christ in Comedy?
by Scoot
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posted Feb 20 2013 11:38AM
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Saturday Night Live has always been known for comedy that can be offensive, inappropriate and irreverent – yet some will still wage a war of condemnation in obvious hopes of changing the show. But condemning SNL only serves to promote the show and remind America that it is still a relevant medium for social and political commentary.
The most recent criticism of SNL is focused on a spoof on the controversial movie “Django Unchained” – the spoof was “Djesus Uncrossed.” Presented as a trailer for an upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie, “Djesus Uncrossed” featured Jesus rising from the dead…but instead of ascending into Heaven, Jesus goes on a profanity-laced rampage and violently attacks and kills those who were responsible for His crucifixion. The announcer says in the typical movie announcer style, “He’s risen from the dead, and he’s preaching anything but forgiveness.”
Click HERE to view the SNL “Djesus Uncrossed” at Hulu.com…
I understand how that comedy skit would be offensive to many Christians, but chances are those who are offended were not even watching SNL. This group would not have been enjoying the show’s sarcastic and irreverent humor and then suddenly become offended when “Djesus Uncrossed” came on the show. The motivation to condemn comedy that did not initially invade the privacy of someone’s world must come from a desire to protect the masses from comedy considered offensive.
When Tim Tebow was a prominent figure in the news, SNL did a skit where Jesus visited Tebow and the Broncos in the locker room. Christ has always been the subject of comedy - the question is whether or not Christ is off limits.
Early in my radio career as a morning show disc jockey, comedy was the foundation of “The Scoot in the Morning Show” and I achieved great success. Now, as a radio talk show host I continue to occasionally inject my sarcastic, irreverent sense of humor when talking about the top social and political issues of the day. I also did stand-up at a local comedy club and once at open mic night at the Improv in Los Angeles. I mention this only to establish that I do have an understanding of the nature of comedy.
Comedy is based on real-life and the subjects of comedy are often popular figures from history and contemporary pop culture – from any president to Paris Hilton. What makes us laugh are things that are a spoof or twist on real-life people and situations and that often includes a comic spin on morality. Comedy actually forces us to think about moral and appropriate behavior toward others.
Laughing at a joke or comedy skit we know to be offensive does not mean we agree with the actions or that we are offensive people. We laugh at the absurdity of the twist on real-life and real people.
No one should take comedy too seriously or fear that comedy has the power to corrupt the world. Comedy is the commentary of an already corrupt world.
Jesus was contemporary in the context of the world in which He lived. It’s possible that if Jesus were alive as a mortal man today, He might use comedy in His parables to communicate His message:
Then Jesus said to His disciples – “Hey did you guys here the one about the prodigal son and this fat calf?”
Keep Christ in comedy – that reinforces Christ in the real world.
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