Nigerian comedians react to a report that jokes
about a politician can adversely affect his
political career, writes Maureeen Azuh
Generally, comedy is seen as a form of relaxation
even as it can be employed to address societal vices.
In Nigeria and other countries, most humour
merchants seek not just to impress their audience
with jokes but to also make comments that would
engender social change.
However, a recent report conducted by an
Assistant Professor at Towson University, USA,
Amy Becker, indicates that comedians’ jokes that
tend to ridicule a political candidate may spark
negative attitudes towards that individual.
The study focused on the 2008 presidential election
where Barack Obama and John McCain were top
candidates – representing Democratic Party and
Republican Party respectively. In the course of it,
some participants watched a video clip from The
Colbert Report mocking the McCain campaign,
while other participants viewed a clip of McCain
mocking himself on an episode of Saturday Night
Live.
While participants from both sides appreciated
McCain’s self-deprecating humour, viewing the
SNL clip did not result in a significant change in
attitudes towards the Republican Party
candidate. Viewing Colbert’s hostile humour,
however, resulted in significantly more negative
evaluations of McCain.
But reacting to the report, Nigerian comedian,
Gbenga Adeyinka, says it may not be entirely true.
According to him, what matters is the personality of
the politician and not what people say about him.
“If you go on the Internet, you will find that the
American President is the biggest material for
comedy,” he says.”What we should be weary of is
abuse; I always tell comedians not to be abusive.
And to the politicians, if funny jokes are being
thrown at them, maybe they need to buckle up.
Obama has been the butt of jokes for years, but
he is still the president of America. Comedians
will not create jokes out of what you have not
done.”
For comic actor, Basorge Tariah, comedians have
the right to point out the shortcomings of public
office holders. He says the joke merchants are not
just jesters but are also social commentators.
“Like journalists, comedians have the right to
comment on issues that affect people in the
society, no matter the politician that is involved.
It is their moral obligation to do so. But whether
it is done intelligently, stupidly or as an
outrageous attack to make the individual
involved sit up, is another matter altogether,” he
explains.
Tariah however adds that comedians, both young
and old, should have some kind of check and not
abuse the privilege.
As the 2012 American elections held on Tuesday
drew to a close, the study predicted that more
shows would mock the presidential candidates –
which, of course, came to pass. It also said
Saturday Night Live received heavy media
coverage because of the show’s humorous
portrayals of Barack Obama, Republican party’s
presidential candidate, Mitt Romney and his
running mate, Paul Ryan.
But the researcher notes that candidates may still
win over voters’ attitudes if they can handle the
ridicule, and even joke about them, rather than
going on the defence.
While some politicians may not be favourably
disposed to humourous jabs at them, there are
some who are not only indifferent to such jokes
but also enjoy them.
Member, Women Affairs Committee, House of
Representatives, Ayo Omidiran, says she enjoys
jokes.
“Personally, I am humorous,” she says. “But I
think jokes should be used in an effective and
positive way. Sometimes people make jokes to
ridicule others but they should also know that
our senses of humour are not the same. I
appreciate jokes because they can only be about
the things I did.”
She adds that throwing jokes at politicians is normal
but such humourous comments should not be
aimed at castigating the individual involved.
Another comedian, Ajibola Adebayo, (Holy
Mallam), notes that comedians should be
cautious about the jokes they throw at
politicians.
“A joke can damage a politician’s career if it goes
viral because out of every joke is seriousness,”
he says.
Asked if he had ever been caught in the web of
denting the image a politician through his jokes, he
says, “I shy away from such things, not because I
am pro-anybody or against anybody but because I
am cautious.” (Source: Punch)
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