Anti-Catholic Slur on February Dis-Unplugged

[Cheltenham]

I am a few weeks behind listening to the shows. I only just recently listened to a show from the end of February which contained an insulting slur about the pope. The dis-crew chortled along.

To anyone who wants to remind me that "we live in a free country" or " it was only a joke" -- if you get your jollies from juvenile sexual humor and insults about other people's religion, you are welcome to them.

I don't know if the comment was intended to be mean spirited or not. I am just saying that it was insulting to to at least some Catholic listeners (and I would hope others) and that an on show apology would be nice.

[GAN]

I vaguely remember the comment you mention, but I'm sure the intent wasn't to offend although it's likely you weren't the only listener who feels this way. I've listened to the podcast for many years and to think that after hours upon hours of listening not one thing would offend me would be asking a bit much -I don't feel the need to agree with everything that is discussed. I prefer to hear a little "political incorrectness" once and a while anyway. I think they have a good balance of insulting -themselves included. On a personal level, I hear "The Church" being ridiculed quite a bit during my day-to-day life, so the comment didn't really phase me -besides, some of it is well-deserved.

[Mike2023]

I can't say I remember the comment, but I will say I have listened to the podcast for years and know whats coming each week.

Pete and the team has said things that could be considered offensive on loads of occasions. If one thing can be said is that they offend equally.

Having met the team I must say they are overall very nice people and I'm sure they did not mean anything by it. Pope Jokes in general are not a new thing and even if I was Catholic I don't think I would have been all that offended, but I'm not Catholic so I can't say. (I am Canadian and they have made a few Canadian jokes over the years and I was not offended in the least. Plus I have a few American jokes as comebacks so its all good)

But I suggest if you're that upset about it that you leave a review of the show on itunes. But again, I'm sure they didn't mean you any disrespect.

[disneysteve]

I can certainly understand people possibly being offended by some things that get said on the podcast but if you listen regularly, you've got to know that's just the nature of the show. You could also get offended watching the Jon Stewart show or Colbert Report or Saturday Night Live or any number of other TV shows.

I think it matters a great deal if the comment was spoken in jest or intended as a serious insult and I've never heard the podcast team say anything that I felt was meant seriously (other than rants on a particular topic which I almost always agree with 100%).

On a kind of related topic, am I the only one not amused by many of the "fake" headlines and advertisements that Pete has started using to open the show. I've got a pretty healthy sense of humor but just don't seem to see the joke in much of that stuff.

[GAN]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I can certainly understand people possibly being offended by some things that get said on the podcast but if you listen regularly, you've got to know that's just the nature of the show. You could also get offended watching the Jon Stewart show or Colbert Report or Saturday Night Live or any number of other TV shows.

I think it matters a great deal if the comment was spoken in jest or intended as a serious insult and I've never heard the podcast team say anything that I felt was meant seriously (other than rants on a particular topic which I almost always agree with 100%).

On a kind of related topic, am I the only one not amused by many of the "fake" headlines and advertisements that Pete has started using to open the show. I've got a pretty healthy sense of humor but just don't seem to see the joke in much of that stuff.

I have to admit -I think they are pretty funny. But of course that's my opinion.

[Mike2023]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

On a kind of related topic, am I the only one not amused by many of the "fake" headlines and advertisements that Pete has started using to open the show. I've got a pretty healthy sense of humor but just don't seem to see the joke in much of that stuff.

I understand Pete is trying to make an ad fun and less annoying, but I agree they don't do much for me. Mind you, a regular ad would not do anything for me ether so I'm indifferent.

[sbeaulieu]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

On a kind of related topic, am I the only one not amused by many of the "fake" headlines and advertisements that Pete has started using to open the show. I've got a pretty healthy sense of humor but just don't seem to see the joke in much of that stuff.

I'm 100% with you on this and am normally a lurker, but i had to chime in. I love the shows and have been listening forever, but the new intros and advertisements are unbearable. I fast forward.

[mjaclyn]

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but if you listen to this show you should expect to be insulted at some point. I don't think the team tries to insult anyone on purpose, but their humor is very sarcastic (which I love) and can definitely be taken as insulting even if its not meant to be.

For anyone who really doesn't like that kind of humor I would recommend the WDW Radio show. The host goes out of his way to be super positive and non confrontational.

[lugnut33]

I find it hilarious

[Cheltenham]

To those who are saying that the dis-crew jokes about everyone, can you point me to times when they "joked" about African Americans or Muslims or the disabled? I guess you are saying that if it is ok to mock Catholics, it is ok to mock these groups as well. I don't think so. Personally I believe people deserve respect.

[Mike2023]

Originally Posted by Cheltenham

To those who are saying that the dis-crew jokes about everyone, can you point me to times when they "joked" about African Americans or Muslims or the disabled? I guess you are saying that if it is ok to mock Catholics, it is ok to mock these groups as well. I don't think so. Personally I believe people deserve respect.

Just because someone makes a joke does not mean they don't respect the demographic that the joke was about. Pope Jokes are all over the main stream media and relating them to racial comments seem a bit extreme to me.

You're aloud to be offended but I would not expect to come to the forum that is "pro" podcast team and find a lot of people are going to agree with you.

I'm not sure how long you have been listening to the podcast but this is nothing new. I think maybe this is just not the podcast for you thats all. Nothing wrong with that.

edited to add,

I think the crew made a Michael Jackson joke once or twice when Captain Eo made its comeback.

[davedmaine]

Originally Posted by Cheltenham

I am a few weeks behind listening to the shows. I only just recently listened to a show from the end of February which contained an insulting slur about the pope. The dis-crew chortled along.

To anyone who wants to remind me that "we live in a free country" or " it was only a joke" -- if you get your jollies from juvenile sexual humor and insults about other people's religion, you are welcome to them.

I don't know if the comment was intended to be mean spirited or not. I am just saying that it was insulting to to at least some Catholic listeners (and I would hope others) and that an on show apology would be nice.

Just forgive them and move on..

[LilyWDW]

Originally Posted by Cheltenham

To those who are saying that the dis-crew jokes about everyone, can you point me to times when they "joked" about African Americans or Muslims or the disabled? I guess you are saying that if it is ok to mock Catholics, it is ok to mock these groups as well. I don't think so. Personally I believe people deserve respect.

As a catholic, I really did not see the big deal of the joke you are speaking about. Honestly, I think you are taking it too seriously. I was not in any way offended. Even if I had been, I would have rolled my eyes at it and moved on.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by LilyWDW

As a catholic, I really did not see the big deal of the joke you are speaking about. Honestly, I think you are taking it too seriously. I was not in any way offended.

Everyone's threshold is different. Just because you weren't offended doesn't mean OP wasn't, or shouldn't have been. Personally, I'm very, very difficult to offend. I'm pretty easy going, secure in my beliefs, and don't much worry about what other people think or say (hence the comment the tag fairy made on my profile ). If somebody on the podcast makes an off-color comment, it doesn't stop me from enjoying the show. It doesn't stop me from coming back week after week to listen.

OP, only you can decide how you feel. If you can let it go and get past it, keep on listening and enjoying the show. If the comment was sufficiently offensive that it will affect your enjoyment of the show, perhaps it isn't the right show for you. Or maybe you want to shoot the team an e-mail to express your feelings directly to them.

[roomthreeseventeen]

Pete and the podcast team aren’t the political correctness police. They have strong opinions, at times, even political ones. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. To be honest, I was uncomfortable listening to the ladies’ podcast last week when they talked about owning a gun, because I am pretty anti-gun and believe that owning one increases your risk of being harmed by gun violence. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to listen anymore or that I don’t respect anyone’s right to say what they feel, even in a joking manner.