Edinburgh Fringe and Jerry Sadowitz

Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman

Well-known member
When back in the UK a few years ago - think it was 2012 - I went to see Jerry Sadowitz show at the Pleasance Courtyard during the Fringe. Everybody who went that night knew what they were about to watch and see - it wasn't a secret that his comedy pushes the bounds of comedy and offensive material. But like Chubby Brown. If you don't like that type of harsh comedy then just don't go and watch it.

I was sad to read this week that despite hosting Sadowitz countless times over the years the Fringe this year cancelled his run after one night due to complaints from some of the audience and some staff. When I went in 2012 I didn't like some of his stuff frankly and yes as he always does he did get his penis out ( but a number of comedians do that at the Fringe frankly). But like Frankie Boyle some of it works and in context it can be very funny. Audience members are indeed warned about explicit material and offensive material.

The Fringe says it doesn't "censor" comedians but the sad fact is it has done just that. Very disappointing to say the least.

www.theguardian.com

Jerry Sadowitz hits back after show cancelled: ‘My act is being cheapened’

Comedian says his show ‘is what it is, for those who enjoy it,’ after complaints at Edinburgh fringe
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
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I wouldn't go and see Sadowitz myself but I would defend the right for others to be able to see him. With the right warnings this shouldn't happen and agree that the reaction of the promoter at the Pleasance is extremely disappointing. They clearly know who he is and what he does and have booked him previously a few times.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
You only have to see how many people got upset by a sports pundit stating it is a ‘man’s game’ after a tough tackling football match.

Too many people easily offended.
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Its a strand of argument that is slightly different. Yes it is about the ease in which people get offended but in Souness case he said it publicly in front of a mass audience. Sadowitz is performing to paid punters who presumably knew what they were paying to watch.
 
He got his knob out on stage, someone complained about that & the venue cancelled the show.
It has been a while (c.20 years) since I've seen him & he did similar then.
I'm saddened he hasn't developed new material in the interim.
 
So, he's been getting his penis out for 20 years during his routine. The show had warnings about the content may offend etc.
But someone paid to go and see him, got offended and complained. He's now been cancelled.
Pathetic.
 
I read somewhere it was a prosthetic penis. Still, if that's his act and he hasn't changed it, maybe he needs to re-evaluate things.
 
Pedantic point, but isn't it the Pleasance theatre who have cancelled his shows, not "the Fringe" as a whole? As I read it he's fine to perform elsewhere if he can find a venue.

Have seen him live myself and there's always an element of having to wade through a fair bit of willfully offensive dross to get to the good stuff. That said it's what he is and if he tried to moderate himself he'd be a vastly inferior act.

Not that I'd be inclined to expend an awful lot of effort fighting his corner.
 
He pushes the edge of what audiences are comfortable with and you can't even really prepare yourself because he shuts down any clips of himself on YouTube. I read about this on Sunday and was directed to a Twitter audio clip of him in 87, it was harsh even for then but his material was the then contemporary Cleveland Child abuse scandal , in his material he suggested getting Jimmy Saville in because he was a paedophile and would be able to confirm if it was correct or not, this was 87 and your could hear the nervousness and disbelief in the Audience laughs, he then went on to destroy Jimmy Saville's character. Feel offended by Jerry Sadowitz if you want but to just label him as Racist, Misogynistic maybe misses some deeper aspect of his material.
 
The statement from the Pleasance made me laugh:

“The Pleasance’s director, Anthony Alderson, said: “The Pleasance is a venue that champions freedom of speech and we do not censor comedians’ material.”

- No you don’t, and yes you just did.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
The statement from the Pleasance made me laugh:

“The Pleasance’s director, Anthony Alderson, said: “The Pleasance is a venue that champions freedom of speech and we do not censor comedians’ material.”

- No you don’t, and yes you just did.
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is whipping your old fella out in public considered freedom of speech?

In which case, I have something to say.......
 
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