Lots of comics/comedians nowadays will joke about a wide range of topics. And now comedians’ performances are seen everywhere, thanks to Netflix and other social media platforms. In today’s world, comedians need to be especially careful about what types of jokes are told, because the impact is greater than it has ever been before. 

Jokes about sensitive issues can cause anxiety and stress-related disorders to people with trauma from past issues. Jokes about rape, murder, pedophilia, and other similar topics are dangerous territory for comedians, because what may be funny to the general public may not be as funny to people who have those experiences in real life. 

The society we live in remembers everything, as posts on Twitter and Instagram as well as YouTube videos of performances can be found years later, and jokes can age poorly over time. Jokes can also become more offensive over time. Louis CK was a very popular comedian who told loads of offensive jokes about sex, race, and drugs. Louis would often joke about masturbation, poking fun at how lonely he is now that he’s divorced. Not long after these jokes were told, Louis CK was pulled into the #MeToo movement when women stepped forward and accused Louis of masturbating in front of them without their consent. Now that this news has come to light, Louis CK’s jokes can be seen as even more offensive and uncomfortable, because what was once a harmless joke now seems to feel “wrong,” because we know the truth about these actions. Louis has joked about having sex with children in the past. Similar types of humor may not seem as funny anymore after the accusations.

    Comedians reach more than just the comedy clubs they perform in, now their jokes are on Spotify, Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, and more. Once these videos and sound clips are online, they stick around forever, and comedians need to avoid sensitive topics.