Hoarding the gay

[phee]

http://youtu.be/rtBxft_Cfz4

Edited July 21, 2011 by phee

[~Tszura~]

**Face Palm**

I feel like I have a good sense of humor, but I'm a little offended by this.

Nightgaunt and I just discussed this, and we think the reaction would be very different if she used a different population, such as "hoarding Jews," or "hoarding women."

And by saying at the end that 2 had to be "put down" is like saying "gays" are "animals."

And I know we are all animals, but you get what I mean.

So I get that this was meant to be funny, and cute, but I think they missed the target.

[n0Mad]

I found it hilarious and thought it very supportive of gays. The metaphor I took away from it was Tori Spelling can't be the only person in the world to love gays and support gay culture. This tolerance needs to spread to other people and eventually the whole world needs to embrace gays.

[~Tszura~]

I found it hilarious and thought it very supportive of gays. The metaphor I took away from it was Tori Spelling can't be the only person in the world to love gays and support gay culture. This tolerance needs to spread to other people and eventually the whole world needs to embrace gays.

Am I being too critical? I get the metaphor, but it still burns a little for the reasons I mentioned.

I need to watch it again, and maybe just lighten up a little.

[phee]

I just thought it was funny... not really in any deep way... I like a lot of what Funny Or Die puts out...

I guess if I were to put on my overthinking film student hat, I would say that the reason it was funny was because it was 100% not mocking gay people, but mocking the stereotypes that people have about them... much like the Chappelle Show did back in the day with racial prejudice... by doing something SO RIDICULOUS that people who actually have the prejudice would be left scratching their heads.

Kind of like making fun of the stereotype by pushing it to the extreme.

[~Tszura~]

I loved the Chapelle Show, and I guess I'm going to have to step back and take another hard look at what else bothers me about it. Yes, there were extreme stereotypes in it which are laughable, but there was also that undertone of "hoarding the animals" that I think is what is bothering me. I'm not trying to be harsh, I just would like to see why my first reaction to this was one of offense versus what you both seemed to take away from it.

Hmmmmm, like why would I feel more comfortable laughing at something mocking racial stereotypes, versus the hoarding thing? Maybe with racial stereotypes, I feel I can identify more with it, and feel more comfortable laughing at myself and the whole bit.

[bean]

I absolutely agree with ~Tszura~ on this one, on every point.

[TitsMcGee]

You know, with all those shoes behind her I really do think she's a hoarder.

[phee]

A gay dude I work with was who showed this to me... not that it would change another persons viewpoint about it at all... but I guess since that was the source of if... I was already very defused to finding anything offensive in it...

...then again... I find so little actually offensive in any personal sense... If I had cancer I would be telling more cancer jokes then anyone else...

[n0Mad]

we think the reaction would be very different if she used a different population, such as "hoarding Jews,"

I absolutely agree with ~Tszura~ on this one, on every point.

Really? 'Cuz I think hoarding Jews, you know, stuffing them all into a tight dark room (oh, say, a shower), well I wouldn't find that the least bit amusing at all.

[bean]

Really? 'Cuz I think hoarding Jews, you know, stuffing them all into a tight dark room (oh, say, a shower), well I wouldn't find that the least bit amusing at all.

Point taken. I will amend what I wrote previously and say that I agree with almost everything ~T wrote. I don't think changing the group to any other one would be funny because of the way it was presented. The people were presented as objects and animals (cats or dogs, which is what animal hoarders tend to hoard), and I did not find that amusing.

Edited July 22, 2011 by bean

[n0Mad]

For me I think this sketch works because they're gay. With any other population group, it would fall flat. But the stereotype of gay guys is that they accessorize their outfits, coordinate shoes, are stylish, etc, and therefore accessories themselves. Why hoard shoes and handbags when you can hoard gays who have better shoes and handbags than you do anyway? This sketch lampoons that stereotype and for me personally, I find that amusing. Then again I'm irreverent and lampoon everything. Perhaps if instead of Tori Spelling the main character were instead Buddy Cole, then I think the sketch would work better. Sort of like how only a Jew can tell Jew jokes, then only a gay can be successful with gay humor.

[phee]

For me I think this sketch works because they're gay. With any other population group, it would fall flat. But the stereotype of gay guys is that they accessorize their outfits, coordinate shoes, are stylish, etc, and therefore accessories themselves. Why hoard shoes and handbags when you can hoard gays who have better shoes and handbags than you do anyway? This sketch lampoons that stereotype and for me personally, I find that amusing. Then again I'm irreverent and lampoon everything. Perhaps if instead of Tori Spelling the main character were instead Buddy Cole, then I think the sketch would work better. Sort of like how only a Jew can tell Jew jokes, then only a gay can be successful with gay humor.

Scott for the win!!!

[~Tszura~]

Really? 'Cuz I think hoarding Jews, you know, stuffing them all into a tight dark room (oh, say, a shower), well I wouldn't find that the least bit amusing at all.

For the record, I didn't mean that the bit would have actually struck me as funny first with any other population. I was trying to say that if we pictured another group as the main subject of the skit, would most people still find it funny, or would it then be offensive? Would I find it funny if she were hoarding Mexicans? Probably not, and more on this below.

For me I think this sketch works because they're gay. With any other population group, it would fall flat. But the stereotype of gay guys is that they accessorize their outfits, coordinate shoes, are stylish, etc, and therefore accessories themselves. Why hoard shoes and handbags when you can hoard gays who have better shoes and handbags than you do anyway? This sketch lampoons that stereotype and for me personally, I find that amusing. Then again I'm irreverent and lampoon everything. Perhaps if instead of Tori Spelling the main character were instead Buddy Cole, then I think the sketch would work better. Sort of like how only a Jew can tell Jew jokes, then only a gay can be successful with gay humor.

I appreciate you explaining your perspective throughout this as I am understanding more about whats funny about it. When I first saw this and saw the other posts, I really was feeling like Spock talking about "love." Now I get it, but am still a little uncomfortable with the whole animal aspect, but I guess that's just me. And linking back to using Mexicans instead of gays, well, I think you're right. Any humor about this IS because of the population used. If Mexicans were used instead of gays, I would probably still be offended even though I know its completely plausible to find over 50 of us living in one house, and driving in one truck

[phee]

For the record, I didn't mean that the bit would have actually struck me as funny first with any other population. I was trying to say that if we pictured another group as the main subject of the skit, would most people still find it funny, or would it then be offensive? Would I find it funny if she were hoarding Mexicans? Probably not, and more on this below.

I appreciate you explaining your perspective throughout this as I am understanding more about whats funny about it. When I first saw this and saw the other posts, I really was feeling like Spock talking about "love." Now I get it, but am still a little uncomfortable with the whole animal aspect, but I guess that's just me. And linking back to using Mexicans instead of gays, well, I think you're right. Any humor about this IS because of the population used. If Mexicans were used instead of gays, I would probably still be offended even though I know its completely plausible to find over 50 of us living in one house, and driving in one truck

What about Mexican Gays?

[~Tszura~]

What about Mexican Gays?

lol Well, that completely changes things! NOW its totally funny and totally awesome ;p

Yes, yes, Mexican brethren, free yourselves and change the world in more ways than one.......with style!!

[n0Mad]

For the record, I didn't mean that the bit would have actually struck me as funny first with any other population. I was trying to say that if we pictured another group as the main subject of the skit, would most people still find it funny, or would it then be offensive? Would I find it funny if she were hoarding Mexicans? Probably not, and more on this below.

Ah, that does make a lot more sense than the way I first interpreted it. I see your point.

[Nightgaunt]

Yes, yes, Mexican brethren, free yourselves and change the world in more ways than one.......with style!!

It's the Plan of San Diego meets the Plan of San Francisco!

[taysteewonderbunny]

I think it's the kind of humor that is meant to be offensive, if only to bring to light common attitudes held that are in themselves offensive. Think about how often we hear people use the term "fag hag," or even refer to how much they love their gay friends, as if it were a fashion statement, as if gays are the trend, a means to an end and not means in themselves. I think the sketch is really a mirror for the way in which "gay culture" is objectified. It isn't about the people anymore so much as it is about the fetishized lifestyle. And when I say 'objectify' and 'fetishize,' I don't mean it in the sexual way.

I mean the way most Americans typify gays as waiters, hairdressers, and interior decorators. I mean the people who expect gays to all be fun, flamboyant, shallow thrill-seekers eager to offer entertainment to anyone who would give them audience.

Those of us who know gays know it's not all parades. They are our fathers, brothers, lovers, and friends. They have depth (most of them), good days and bad days. And they're not going to have nothing to do but sit on your bed and play patty cake.

I think Tori knows this. I think she knows that most of Hollywood doesn't seem to, still. Out of the closet gays get casting for gay parts nearly exclusively, but straight actors can play gays and get Oscars. It's not a level playing field yet. And I think that is the point.

Really, what I found most disturbing was her plastic surgery. Gads! Between Tori and the intervention lady, I thought I was going to be sick.