In a podcast interview several years ago, Yakov Smirnoff spoke about something that just about defied anything that we in the United States could possibly imagine true.
Before he came to the United States he was an entertainer in the Soviet Union and would perform at places that would be the Soviet equivalent to the Catskills here in America
However, he said that his routine would be just that. A routine that could not be deviated from in any way. No adlibbing, no coming up with something topical on the fly. As a matter of fact, he said that there was a government agency in the USSR that would inspect the material of a comedian’s routine and would have to approve it before that comedian could improve that routine.
In short, they had a minister of jokes. Now, you would think in so called free societies that something like this would never happen but with the rise of liberal ideology that whole notion of a Minister of Jokes seems more reality in civilized society than fantasy.
H/T Daily Wire:
With the recent backlash against Kevin Hart over his short-lived Oscars hosting gig, a whole new generation of funnymen will arise that are too afraid of losing everything over a joke that offends someone in the audience. Soon, they will be signing contractual agreements ahead of showtimes about what they can and cannot say. A student club at the University of London is a leading example of this coming Orwellian nightmare.
According to PJ Media, the UNICEF on Campus chapter at the University of London invited five local comedians to perform at an event, all of whom were asked to sign a “behavioral agreement” to avoid any problems. One of the invited guests was Russian-born free speech advocate Konstantin Kisin.
“Attached is a short behavioural agreement form that we will ask for you to sign on the day to avoid problems,” wrote Fisayo Eniolorunda, the club’s event organizer, in an email to Kisin.
The “behavioral agreement” form says the chief aim of the event is to provide a “safe space” for everyone to experience “joy, love and acceptance.”
“This comedy night … aims to provide a safe space for everyone to share and listen to Comedy,” the agreement reads. “This contract has been written to ensure an environment where joy, love, and acceptance are reciprocated by all.”
“By signing this contract, you are agreeing to our no tolerance policy with regards to racism, sexism, classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia or anti-religion or anti-atheism,” the contract continues. “All topics must be presented in a way that is respectful and kind. It does not mean that these topics can not be discussed. But, it must be done in a respectful and non-abusive way.”
Speaking with PJ Media, Kisin said he understands why certain comedians no longer play college events. “I remembered the Nimesh Patel story from last week and Jerry Seinfeld saying he doesn’t play colleges and it started to make sense,” Kisin said.
So it would absolutely be verboten to repeat Lenny Bruce’s classic shtick, “Are there any Niggers here tonight?” without the dear little Snowflakes falling down in a faint, even though that’s considered one of the greatest anti-racist speeches in theatrical history. So much for “higher” education.