It’s been a long month in Edinburgh for almost everyone involved. Whether it’s been successful or miserable, wet or dry, cheap or expensive, drunk or sober; It’s been a long month. And it’s an easy month to get swept up in nothing but what’s going on in that little city. I didn’t know the Olympics had started for most of last August. It’s a shitload of fun but it has its trappings, I think we can all agree.
So this is a quick note to some people who’ve lost their self awareness.
This year in Edinburgh a well known comic got a zero star review. I haven’t seen the show so can’t comment on the show or the review. I also don’t want to comment on the widely read rebuttal of the review. It might be sitting on the fence, but I think that those aren’t the most important issues.
I’ve read on facebook, a lot of people having a go at the comic. Generally taking the piss as well as having a personal dig. I also know of several comics who went to the show to take the piss in person, laughing in the wrong spots and heckling in one way or another. I think it’s pretty sad to see people who are meant to be grown-ups taking part in out-and-out bullying. I understand if you don’t like the comic or the show, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. But I think having a go in public behind someone’s back is not only an awful thing to do, but also an awful indictment on those people’s character.
It’s easily done, I understand. We all talk about other comics at gigs or in car journeys. It’s an insular industry and sometimes we need to vent our frustrations with the circuit. But I just feel like this is taking it a step too far. It’s a considered attack on one of our peers, there’s no two ways about it.
We’re comedians. Probably two-thirds of the circuit has come through some form of bullying. It comes with the territory. I would have thought we’d have the self-awareness, or at least the humanity to not kick someone whilst they’re down. Surely, someone you don’t like, losing money and confidence in probably one of the hardest months of their career, should be enough to appease your ego. Taking it further is only regressing. And when you’re using someone else’s failure to quell your own insecurities, nobody wins.
I’m not having a go at anyone in particular. I’m not trying to champion the comics case. There’s no vested interest or ulterior motives. I just think we need to remember to have a bit of respect for one another, not as comics, but as people.
I know this sounds wanky, but I just think it’s an important thing to keep in mind.
