Spring Break
Comedy Central Indecision 2008 sparks ECU controversy
Students and staff offended by comedian's act
Erin Edwards
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Features
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The comedian, who has appeared on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, Last Call with Carson Daly, Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien ventured to ECU for the Comedy Central Indecision 2008 tour on Aug. 18. The show served as a kick off to the ECU Weeks of Welcome, and was free to students and friends at Minges Coliseum.
However, some students and staff deemed the show, most notably Giraldo himself, offensive and vulgar. According to student accounts, Giraldo based his routine on making fun of the hearing impaired, along with asking the audience which animal he or she would like to have sex with.
"Greg Giraldo, in my opinion, was incredibly vulgar and offensive," said Joy Fitzpatrick, who attended the show.
Fitzpatrick added that Giraldo intentionally allowed his comedy act to make fun of those who required interpreters, using them as backup material through the entire show.
"I anticipate my opposing argument to say that college students are adult enough to think for themselves, and although they are, I am more concerned that this particular event was endorsed by such a great institution," Fitzpatrick said.
Kay Christian, the interim director of Student Activities and Involvement, says that the administration understands the concerns of offended students and apologizes for the incident.
"Every year our department brings a comedy act for students to enjoy during the Weeks of Welcome and anytime you have that, you can't necessarily control the comedian's material or what they say and do," said Christian. "We strive to provide a wide variety of entertainment to students, but sometimes there will be moments when some enjoy the show and others are offended."
"In the future, we will work hard to be sure we set our expectations with our entertainment acts beforehand. Without stifling free speech, we need to make sure they have appropriate material for the audience."
However, while some attendants of the events found the routine too vulgar, others enjoyed the show, including student Jason Wallace.
"I think that Mr. Giraldo did what a professional comic should do," said Wallace. "Any comedian can tell a series of jokes, but he has the skill and confidence to break the fourth wall and interact with the audience."
Wallace adds that although Giraldo might have offended those who attended, anyone who felt uncomfortable with the material of a show can always leave.
"If one chooses to stay, then one chooses to be a part of the entertainment, even when the entertainment might be them," he said.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Marshall
posted 9/04/08 @ 5:11 PM EST
I would like to inform the Student Activities and Involvement Department that I as a student am greatly offended. The people complaining about Mr. Giraldo's act should be ashamed of both their inability to take a joke, and their lack of awareness as to the nature of Mr. (Continued…)
Wow
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:26 PM EST
I doubt ECU will do much about this since they keep letting those idiotic preachers onto our campus.
Hah
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:51 PM EST
What kind of journalism says you can make a claim about what "some students and staff" feel about a subject and that "the ECU community isn't happy" backed up with ONE quote from ONE student. (Continued…)
Hah
posted 9/04/08 @ 8:53 PM EST
Correction: Ms. FitzPATRICK, not GERALD.
See what I did there? That's called journalistic commitment to accuracy...
Rebecca
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:07 AM EST
I think its really pathetic you guys come here and talk smack about the journalist. They are doing their jobs. They are given a limited amount of space and can not interview the 200 people i'm sure you would like them to. (Continued…)
Hah
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:39 AM EST
Their job is to go out and enact some good journalism not "try really hard and want to do well but just don't." Since when was has it become pathetic to demand a little journalistic gumption or at least SOME FOUNDATION FOR YOUR ARTICLE'S CLAIMS?! Is it so much to ask that the reporter interview, not 200 people as that would be impractical and stupid considering limited copy space, but at least SOMEONE in the staff that is claimed to be included in the amount of upset members of the community and perhaps just ONE other student to lend some credence to the idea that there are great swaths of the ECU community that is fired up over Giraldo's performance. (Continued…)
ECUGUY2
posted 9/05/08 @ 2:06 PM EST
Dear Writer,
I realy enjoyed your style. You did a great job at conveying the"OVERALL" opinion of ECU in respect to the comedian...Try not to pay attention to "hah" who I would have to consider as "an out spoken outliar", when it comes down to how people "realy" felt in regards to the show. (Continued…)
pirate21
posted 9/08/08 @ 12:45 PM EST
its a comedy show people...its meant to offend people! you cant take it so personally. like jason said in the article if you dont like it you can leave. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 9/08/08 @ 3:58 PM EST
No one should be surprised that Greg Girardo did offensive jokes. That's his schtick. If any one should catch hell for this, it should be the people who booked the show. (Continued…)
James
posted 9/09/08 @ 9:55 AM EST
If East Carolina is so worried about bringing in offensive comics, then they should pay attention to the several live comedy acts that perform on campus and around downtown. (Continued…)
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