Frankie Boyle is a prick
May 2, 2010Sweaty Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle has been in the news this week for his open letter to the BBC, slating them for being “cowardly” for rebuking him over a joke about Israel. I’d like to just add these few words: Frankie Boyle is a prick.
I don’t take issue with Frankie Boyle’s politics. He thinks Israel is an “apartheid”, “terrorist” state. I respect his opinion but disagree. I think Israel is a country that is as wonderful and flawed and barbaric as any other country, as legitimate a target for political satire as Iraq, Afghanistan, the US or the UK. I have no problem with people taking the piss out of Israel as long as it’s proportional and doesn’t overly demonise Israelis. The last series of The Thick of It had a few pointed barbs about Israel and I don’t take issue with that.
Frankie Boyle told two jokes about Israel. The first is:
“I’ve been studying Israeli Army Martial Arts. I now know 16 ways to kick a Palestinian woman in the back.”
Now, I don’t find it funny but I think it’s (just about) a legitimate joke about Israel’s military might and its relationship with Palestinian civilians. It hardly takes into account the incredibly complex history of Israel and Palestine, but it’s a one-liner so perhaps that’s expecting too much.
His second joke was this:
“People think that the Middle East is very complex but I have an analogy that sums it up quite well. If you imagine that Palestine is a big cake, well… that cake is being punched to pieces by a very angry Jew.”
And that’s a very dangerous joke. Mainly because of one word: Jew. If he wants to talk of a people being “punched to pieces by a very angry Israeli,” that is one thing. But conflating Israel with the Jewish people is not on. Let’s be clear: Israel is a Jewish state. The majority of its citizens are Jews. But the majority of Jews are not Israelis.
It’s not uncommon within certain strands of Arabic propoganda to talk of Israelis as “the Jews”, as though Jews around the world are collectively responsible for the actions of a state. Muslims in Britain or France aren’t held responsible for the actions of Iran or Afghanistan. Hindus in America aren’t held responsible for the actions of India, but Frankie Boyle seems to think it’s ok to talk of the Palestinians being attacked by “a Jew”.
Most Jews I know have an ambivalent relationship with Israel. Personally, I am proud of Israel’s many acheivements but often angry at its casual descent into violence. I am proud of the country, but often ashamed of the government. I respect Israel as a Jewish state, but I am well aware it does not speak on behalf of all Jews, any more than Pakistan speaks for all Muslims. Perhaps that’s a subtlety too far for Frankie Boyle.
I’m often amazed that comedians in the US or Britain feel morally-qualified to target Israel without reflecting for a moment that America and Great Britain are responsible for far more innocent deaths than Israel. The death tolls in the last 8 years in Iraq and Afghanistan far outstrips the death toll of all sides in the Arab-Israeli conflict since 1948. If Frankie Boyle wants a target for his invective, he might want to start closer to home. Great Britain is currently being run by Gordon Brown. Perhaps I could say that an apt metaphor for Afghanistan is “a cake being pounded relentless by a Scot”. But I wouldn’t say that because it would be a cheap, clumsy metaphor. And also, not at all funny.
What really annoys me about Boyle’s letter to the BBC is the tone. This is the pathetic self-pity of a man who courts controversy, who happily laughs at down-syndrome kids but feels that he can take the moral high-ground when the BBC rebukes him for villifying a minority. He continues his letter by explaining that he once watched a documentary about Palestine, sounding like nothing more than David Cameron explaining that he once met a black man. Well, you’ve watched a documentary about Palestine! Brilliant! That certainly makes you an expert, or at least cool enough to stride around Dalston in a Palestinian scarf, high-fiving those who wish the destruction of Israel.
Oh, and of course he talks of “well-drilled lobbying,” which plays into the hands of those who believe the Jews control the media. Is there are pro-Israel lobby? Of course there is, just as there’s a pro-Palestinian lobby and a pro-Iranian lobby and a pro-American lobby. All sides have their lobbies.
He continues with more self-pity: “…I cried at that [the documentary] and promised myself that I would do something. Other than write a few stupid jokes I have not done anything. Neither have you.”
Amazingly, if Frankie Boyle did some research, he’d find there are lots of things he could do: He could do charity gigs for Palestinians causes. He could lend his support to many of the organisations that try to build bridges between ordinary Palestinians and Israelis. He could donate money to the Israeli organisations that campaign for better human rights for Palestinians. But that might involve changing his worldview: the worldview in which he is the victim, cruelly censored by the BBC for the crime of telling the truth about the “Jews”.
The final few words: “I have not done anything. Neither have you.” are curious. Who is the “you” he is talking to? Is it the BBC? If so, he should know that within Israeli and Jewish circles the BBC is seen as a wholly pro-Palestinian organisation, which he might find amusing. If he’s talking to members of the public, then he’s got some fucking chutzpah (if he’ll pardon my Yiddish). There are lots of people out there, Israeli and Palestinian or just concerned individuals; Jews, Muslims, Christians and Atheists, who are trying to work towards lasting peace in the middle-east. Just because he’s a lazy, self-loathing prick, it doesn’t mean everyone else is.
Superb piece of observational commentary. Think it’s one of the best things you’ve written – Bravo.
Amen.
BANG!!!
Well said. Not sure why so many Scots seem to have an obsession with Israel or the Jews? Maybe its a Catholic thing?
“If so, he should know that within Israeli and Jewish circles the BBC is seen as a wholly pro-Palestinian organisation, which he might find amusing.”
I’m curious that you seem to be equivocating Israeli and Jewish in this sentence, while I’m aware that some Israelis and Jews think that, I’m equally aware that pro-Palestinian Jews and Israelis see the BBC as somewhere between neutral and wholly pro-Israel.
I agree that the jokes aren’t funny, but I think you’re being over-earnest about it. Comedians reserve the right to make random jokes about any nation or culture and to be inaccurate and to stereotype in the process. Much humour is based on meanness. Boyle makes insensitive jokes about all people, in particular the Scots. He makes appalling jokes about himself, many of which cannot be true. I’m not certain he makes jokes about the Palestinains, but he does make jokes about suicide bombers and Muslims generally. Some words are funny: “Jew” is one of them; “Israeli” is not. That may be why Boyle used it there, or perhaps to wind up people like you.
I totally disagree and feel you are letting your own prejudices (in a non-pejorative sense) blind you to what he said.
At this point I will point out I am someone who does not like Frankie Boyle. I consider him offensive for the sake of it and rarely find him funny. Also my mother’s family is Jewish, originally coming to this country from Eastern Europe to escape persecution. I am not someone who would readily jump to Boyle’s defence or ignorant to attacks on the Jewish people.
To me it seems clear that In his second joke Boyle is anthropomorphizing Israel. To say “an Israeli” as you suggest would not work. In his analogy there is no Israel or Palestine, just a cake and a person. And to liken Israel to an Israeli would be a tautology.
Besides which, not all Israelis are Jewish or support the behaviour of their government. So to say “an Israeli” would be just as lazy, a generalization that covers some people wrongly.
But how far do you expect someone to go to include clarifying clauses to ensure perfect validity? As a writer yourself I find it surprising you seem blinded by what he is doing, both the intent of his analogy and the need to keep jokes punchy. Even the difference in syllables between “Jew” and “Israeli” makes a difference.
And as you point out, Israel is a Jewish state so is it really that wrong to characterize it as a Jew? He does not, as you seem to imply, conflate Israel with the Jewish people, he conflates the Israeli state with a Jew. Singular.
Nowhere in either of those jokes or his open letter to the BBC does he refer to Jews or the Jewish people. He uses the word “Jew” once, in reference to a single person substituting for the Israeli state.
It seems to me you are letting your own prejudices, as understandable as they may be, read far more into what he said than was actually there.
You say that the notion of Israel not speaking for all Jews is perhaps “a subtlety too far for Frankie Boyle.” In response I would ask whether anthropomorphizing a Jewish state as a Jew is a subtlety too far for Greg Stekelman?
Absolutely. He should be joking about the guillotining of North Londoners instead.
Michael, I disagree. When anthropomorphising Israel it is very dangerous to use the word “Jew”. I seriously doubt Frankie Boyle would have used a religious character to anthropomorphise any other country. I don’t recall him (or any other comedian) equating Britain with a Christian or Iran with a Muslim. Yes, Israel is a Jewish state, but is that its only defining characteristic? It seems that other countries can be defined in more subtle, imaginative ways (Russia is the bear, China is the Dragon, France is the frog), whereas Israel is always THE JEW.
Anyone who anthropomorphises Israel as a Jew should be aware that they are using loaded language, given the tendency in many parts of the Arab world (particularly in cartoons) to characterise Israel as just that: A scheming, large-nosed Hassidic Jew who hoards money and revels in the slaughter of innocents. The fact that Israel is an ethnically diverse (and religiously diverse for the region) state seems to count for nothing. When it comes to literal or pictorial representations of Israel, it is rarely anything other than the scheming Jew.
Do I expect Frankie Boyle to be aware of that when he’s making an off-the-cuff joke? No. I appreciate that saying “Jew” has more impact and has a far better comic rhythm than Israeli, and I don’t expect Frankie Boyle to frame every joke within a political context. He’s a comedian. But what I do expect is that he might, with time, reflect on what he has said and accept that it could easily be construed as anti-semitic. Instead of which, he has written a self-pitying dirge in which he lambasts the BBC for not pursuing his own political agenda. He could have used the letter to explain that he was attacking Israel, not Jews, but instead claims that anything he has to say about Israel is justified because it is an “apartheid, terrorist” state.
I found the letter far more offensive than the original joke. The joke was clumsy and leaden; the letter was an act of narcissistic martyrdom.
I agree, Boyle is a lowest common denominator twat who simply aims to offend and needs to get a joke from the natural akward reaction of an audience. If he simply said it and walked away you could take it up as being an in the moment desperate bid to win a laugh, but to call the BBC cowardly because of his own offensive, ignorant nautre is pathetic.
Excellent post. I must be upfront and say that I LOATHE Frankie Boyle (I find him desperately unfunny; he abuses his audience with gratuitous paedophilia jokes that make me want to punch him, repeatedly, in the face).
With that out in the open, it’s obvious that this man knows very little about this subject because he tramples all over the one valid point he does make regarding Israel being an apartheid state. I grew up in South Africa ’75-93′ (peak apartheid years), and then lived in Israel for nearly two years (’93-’94) and although I would say there are definite similarities in the way people are being treated; both country & state have such complicated histories that it’s far too dangerous a subject to mess around with unless you really know your shit. It’s certainly not the material to address for those in desperate need of a cheap laugh.
I think hard-line, contemptuous jokes – ones likely to cause offence are more tolerable if they’re not too gratuitous. Cross the line but be sharp about it; know your subject so that you add something of value to your audience. Especially if you’re going to risk ruining someone’s night out doing so.
Mind the fall from all the way up there! ;-)
Isn’t Boyle just lashing out against censorship? You may not enjoy his comedy and this example might have been clumsy but shouldn’t he be able to do it without fear of being edited?
Did you think it was right that Comedy Central bleeped large portions of South Park’s 201st episode? If I were to guess, you probably do think it was right, not because of it’s content but just because you don’t like South Park (because it’s a bit rude and gets laughs by pushing the limits)…
Hugh, I absolutely love South Park and I love humour that pushes the limits. South Park is brilliant because it challenges stereotypes and offers really thought-provoking ideas within a simple framework. I don’t often agree with the politics of the show, but I love the satirical remit. But I can’t really see the satirical value of a man saying: “I’ve been learning Israeli martial arts. I’ve found 16 ways to kick a Palestinian woman in the back.” Does it approach the middle-eastern situation from a new angle? Does it make us re-assess how we think about the use of power or language? No. It’s just a cheap shot.
What offended me most about Frankie Boyle wasn’t the joke itself, which was offensive but soon forgotten. It was the whining, self-pitying, letter. He could have written something of value about the need to challenge authority, instead he wrote a partisan piece about how Israel is a terrorist state and that the BBC is being silenced by the Jewish lobby, and that he can’t be arsed to do anything about helping Palestinians, but he shouldn’t be told off for blaming the Jews.
[...] A Richard Herring tweet got me to this, by The Man Who Fell Asleep. [...]
Yeah, it’s the letter that’s tragic. It undoes the joke. In fact, it undoes all the facade of his comedy.
Now you know that he really is just a small man making mean-spirited jokes, completely unable to take what he dishes, and with a propensity to go on a whiny and ill-informed offensive the minute his bs gets called. Lordy, there’s no charm to that at all.
I agree,im currently standing outside his gig having a fag as im sick of the spurious bile thats pouring out of his gob,hes not funny & telling jokes about baby P just makes him look an even bigger dick,if youre thinking of going to see him dont bother,if i had paid for the ticket i would want a refund,life always throws people up that you just want to hate & this arse is one of them!
Frankie is the man, Israel is a “rogue state” daily practising terror upon the Palestinian christians and muslims
“Frankie is the man, Israel is a “rogue state” daily practising terror upon the Palestinian christians and muslims”
Yeah, that totally justifies making fun of jews.
What a well-balanced post. So refreshing to read intelligent observation without the diversion of irrational dogma.
Just re read this. You should write more political and social commentaries like this Greg- its simply you at your best!
If you don’t like his jokes, don’t watch him… simple.
@Mazz – that’s like me saying: if you don’t agree with the sentiment of this blog post, don’t post a comment. Yours is such a redundant point; please try harder.
I could care less about franky boyles political stance. I for one are is a fan of isreal.How ever i agree that franky boyle is a total fuckin prick. that boy realy needs a good kick in the balls. Hes not even funny. just shocking. I have friends who worked at his gig in glasgow and even the way he conducts him self back stage even suggests he is a pure arse hole. so fuck ‘em
Wow, are you serious? You watch frankie boyle and then post on the internet why he is a prick?
If people are so easily offended by his jokes, why the hell would you watch his show?
Some people have a sick sense of humor, but if you’re offended by his jokes then don’t complain.
Go to Sickipedia and have a look on how many people have a sick sense of humor.
I for one do never take offence, because they’re just jokes
James, human beings find jokes funny (or shocking) because of the truth they reveal. Because our sense of self is, largely, constructed from how others see us (and how we then perceive ourselves), it is not that difficult to amuse, please or shock, others. Frankie Boyle is not funny and people who endure his shows so that they can later break him down in articles, on blogs, twitter etc are performing a public service, in my opinion.
If nothing offends you then I’d say you’re probably autistic. And if you listen hard enough, i’m sure that twatface has a treat for you…
HE’S A COMEDIAN! It is funny you just have no sense of humor and are sensitive.The isrealian war is a load of bollocks anyway. And so what he made fun of Jews loads of people do it’s nothing to be so angry about infact Iv’e heard worse things being said. This is pathetic THEY ARE JOKES; meaning not to be taken personally he does not actually hate them sheesh…
Frankie Boyle is a scumbag who picks on the disabled he’s the lowest gutter snipe on this earth, frankie Boyle you fuckin wanker
I hope in your next life you come back severely disabled! You fkn deserve it.