Death Is Not a Joking Matter

As someone whose “jokes” have gone too far in the past, I am still extremely appalled by the latest “joke” that has gone bad by the Fox late-night show Red Eye. For those who do not know, host Greg Gutfeld has this show where he and a panel of guests discusses and pokes fun at various current events. On the March 17 episode, Gutfeld and one of his guests mocked the Canadian Forces, noting Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie's recent comment that the military may need a year to recover after Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011.

Gutfeld (left) said, "Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants." His guest, comedian Doug Benson chimed in and said, "I didn't even know they were in the war… I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada."

All this while more Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. (Below, from left to right, Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, are seen in this combination photo.)

Gutfeld has since apologized for his gaffe, after strong criticism from Canadians, including Defense Ministry Peter MacKay.

CBC Report:

Canadian Press Report:

Like I have said, I am a person whose jokes have gone too far in the past. And, I am the last person to say that there is no place for humour in our lives, that we should all day just be taking about serious things and have a stern face on. But something is just out of bounds. A life-threatening disease is not funny, a person’s disability is not funny, a person’s religious and/or cultural rituals are not funny, and death is NOT funny. I know this episode of “Red Eye” was done BEFORE the latest weekend where four Canadians were killed in Afghanistan, but this has been an ongoing mission, and people have been dying in the mission for a very long time. It is as dispicible as those losers who clapped their hands when the Twin Towers fell in 9-11.

The line between humour and flippancy is sometimes not all that clear, but as a public figure, Gutfeld and many, many others need to check themselves ever-more-closely: I always think you can be classy without being boring, and funny without being offensive. Sadly, many public figures cannot do that.