Blue Comedy

French artist Henri Matisse said, “When I paint green, it doesn’t mean grass; when I paint blue, it doesn’t mean sky.”  

In the comedy world, though, blue means something very specific: indecent or vulgar material.

More formally known as ribaldry (which sounds like an outdated word to me), blue comedy is a particular style of humorous entertainment that breaks taboos. It relies on coarse material involving profane language, sexual themes, cursing, bodily functions, or other impolite subjects. 

I personally think blue comics aren’t very clever because it requires work to be creative and funny without being crass. Everyone has their own taste, however, and there are many comedians who only work blue because that’s what their audience likes and expects. 

Do you like blue comedy?