Was it too much? Was it not funny? Well, it wasn’t very subtle, certainly. And it wasn’t hugely funny, although I’d defend that one by pointing out that MFD isn’t always “funny” – sometimes I just get a kick out of the potentially disturbing juxtaposition of weird situations and cute pictures. Believe it or not, however, yesterday’s post wasn’t the first draft of the basic idea. I previously played around with some slightly softer scenarios, like this one:
My question to you is: Which of these two versions do you prefer? The milder but more left-to-your-imagination “hot tub” or the original “crying boy”? I’ll not make it a poll or anything, but please do let me know your thoughts.
Oh, and just in case you were upset...
42 comments:
Better with more left to the imagination--and with the emphasis more on the voyeurism. The other version felt forced, as though you were trying to augment the sickmindedness in order to gloss over the scenario's rather tangential connection to the image.
The implication was that the little boy was being abused and there is no way that that can be funny. I don't think you can deny that you linked the bedroom, the handcuffs, the restraints and the boy crying. You didn't think of the policeman father idea yesterday! I wish somebody had been looking through the window when I was a little girl being abused in a man's bedroom - and had helped me rather than write a "funny" blog entry about it. I'm afraid I'm not going to follow this blog anymore but the best of luck to you.
I prefer the crying boy 'cause for me, a good joke is a cruel job, especially in your style. The hot tube version is too conventional for you (and me). Continue, i like your humor even if my english is far from perfect.
See you soon.
J-L
Original and nasty is how I like it. Gimme a crying boy any day! I've always loved this blog...don't let a panty-bunched audience sway your micheviousness! Keep it real. Peace!
I prefer you leave it to our imagination. Yesterday's version was a bit too much.
I didn't dislike yesterday's post because it wasn't funny or wasn't subtle; I disliked it because it wasn't clever. I can be entertained by something disturbing but funny, or by something disturbing but which makes me pause for a moment. But something which is straightforward, bland, and disturbing is something I'll skip over.
I much prefer the hot tub version, leaves more to the imagination. I like sarcasm but the image of a little boy being abused was a little much. Sorry, I have two little kids and I couldn't take that one.
I prefer the hot tub version, leave a little to the imagination. I like the sarcasm and the dark humor but I draw the line with child abuse, especially sexual abuse.
Maybe you could have found a happy medium? I think the main problem(s) were that A. it was a boy (underage) and B. he was crying (nonconsenual). Perhaps if it was something freaky but legal it would have gone over better? "From this bough we can see handcuffs, leather restraints, and a naked man with a bullwhip"? Consensual freaky sex stuff is always funny.
I love My First Dictionary, and the more snide the better ... but yesterday's just wasn't funny at all to me. I guess it went too far, for my sensibilities.
The hot tub version is much, much better and in the style of older MFD entries. The handcuff version isn't humorous. It's not even about "appropriateness," it's just not really funny.
The first one is pretty harsh and not really funny, but it's striking and interesting. I am not against it and I don't think the second one is as good. So, I'm not sure. Depends on whether you want to edit yourself or not. Sometimes editing can be beneficial. Sometimes it can curb imagination.
The crying boy was too much for me too. I've felt just wee bit guilty for laughing at some of the others, but this one was over the top for me. I can't say I really like the hot tub version either though. It's too obvious.
You asked, so my advice is back to find a third one that doesn't make a joke about children being abused, but still keeps your sick edge. If this had been the first time I'd read your website, I wouldn't have come back.
Crying boy. If someone reads and gets upset, then they're too PC (tm) to be comfortably part of your audience anyway. No loss. Keep up the good work, and the constant surprises.
Don't, ever, worry about going too far.
Yes the first read suggested well what it suggested but I also don't think that you were aiming to offend anyone just for the laughs. To be honest I think the second one that you've just released is the best one but to each their own.
Your show, your rules. The first version worked for me.
I prefer the hot tub version, agree with Robert Seddon't somment above – leaves more to the imagination.
Both are good, though!
Actually, the biggest problem I had with it was that the bit marked on the picture is the trunk. A sentence subtly implying that the mark was blood would have been better than either.
However, with the choice given I'd simply drop the handcuffs and restraints from the crying child - it leaves far more to the imagination and gets rid of the overt implication of abuse: he could have been locked in his room or be ashamed that he'd wet the bed. Perhaps that's why he'd been locked in. Or because Mrs May is busy while Mr May is out.
I prefer the "crying boy" version, is more disturbing, it hits the imagination because you don't expect it.
I understand who think it was too much; but the hot tube version is... too little: tasteless.
I totally agree with Gia: better a "happy medium".
Irene
Both were good but I preferred the 'crying boy' version. The P.C Brigade who get all up in arms about jokes like this, saying that there is nothing funny about child abuse, firstly need to stop reading this blog and read a 'fluffy bunnies in happy land' blog instead and secondly need to realise the difference between a joke and real life.
Crying boy was great.
And as the joke goes, "...your brother wanted to go to prom too."
I prefer you leave it to our imagination. Yesterday's version was a bit too much. very good this post
regards
alfredo villegas
chicas desnudas
horoscopo del dia
I've enjoyed both, the boy and the tub, but wait! what am I saying?
I don't quite get this "It's not funny because it applies to me" logic. All your posts have dark themes that could be upsetting to some people, but I've always assumed that was the point. as someone has already said, it's your show and your rules. Going around the internet scolding people for saying things that you find objectionable would be a never-ending task for any one of us.
First one was fine by me - as someone said earlier: 'Your show, your rules.'
I prefer the more subtle one, because it places (I feel) more emphasis on the word being defined. The more explicit version felt forced, as in, it had too much stuff that was not really relevant for the definition. This second one just has the "hot tub" that is sort of unnecessary, but one thing is funny, whereas the other one had three different things. Cannot really explain this, but the "rhythm of the joke" was wrong in the explicit version.
I have nothing against the twisted jokes on this site as such.
It's not necessarily got anything to do with being PC, Dippie. More, I would suspect with many, about being re-traumatised.
why all the sudden rage? did everyone forget Gramps and the propitious day he settled for a hand job? the reason your humor works so well is because it never fails to shock!
This stuff is MEANT to be sinister and disturbing- a reflection on our world.
The sensitive should stay off-line.
Lest they find stuff like: http://assholebaby.blogspot.com/
I think you're hitting the inevitable backlash of reaching a broader audience. I say stick to your guns.
It's funny how something reaches a level where people stop walking away when they're offended or unsatisfied, and instead start demanding that it gets retooled to suit their sensitivities. It's like it's become too big to ignore, so now they have to try to control it. Don't tone things down for these people. Don't let them tell you the Hot Tub version is "more in keeping with the original spirit of this blog." BS! This has been no holds barred from the beginning. Keep it that way!
I like the second one better- you've never been one to limit the creepiness of the little stories, because you elide so many details. The second one works better in that sense.
Keep it creepy! But I agree with Richard, it's creepier if you leave something to our warped imagination.
PS I don't believe the police story, they don't take their gear home with them.
I prefer the first one. Both are good, though.
Hmm. Nobody got upset about abandoning a child at a post office or cutting up a cat or the father who drowned his daughter in the bath tub, or any of the other sick and twisted things that go on here.
Sick and twisted is what you do. Be brave. Stick to your guns. But most importantly, don't start censoring yourself. The hot tub, IMO, was sub-par.
And for those who think it was too much, please remember - It's only make-believe.
It was too much for me. We like this blog because of the disturbing sense of humor, but yesterday's one was far too much, combining several aspects of cruelness.
I think the boy one is best.... it's certainly the most accurate :D
The important thing always to remember is: it's your blog. Which do YOU prefer? Sure, one is pretty rough but it's more you than the hot tub version. Nevertheless, it's YOUR blog.
Ross, Ross...you are a naughty naughty lad. I would never tell you what you can or can't do on your blog. Nor should anyone else.
Oh, I have a tawse for your naughtiness.....
Your funniest posts are always those that are most cruel. If it offends people, fuck ‘em, they don't have to come back.
When you mock a fat bloke, I'm not going to burst into tears and run screaming from my screen - I can see the humour in most things, even if it’s considered unpalatable by others.
I’m sure most things you’ve posted will offend somebody – Daily Mail readers are everywhere after all – but does that mean you can only post items incapable of offending anybody at all? Fuck off....
No jokes about small cocks though eh?
No, I'm sorry, but this is p*ssy (being that you're moding comments, I thought I better keep it clean). If you're going to tone it down to avoid offending, then I'm probably going to end up stopping reading My First Dictionary. I read it for twisted humor.
As several people have pointed out, it's your blog and you should be able to write what you want. I'm guessing that the offended readers are relatively new since you've posted similar things before and haven't gotten so much backlash for it. Both versions are pretty funny to me, though the first one is obviously darker in tone.
I would suggest putting some sort of blurb on the sidebar warning about possible triggers. I don't think you should have to do it (again, your blog and all), but it'll let you cover your backside if more of the PC Brigade shows up. "Waaah! You've insulted our delicate sensibilities!" "Well, you were warned... Not my fault you don't read. *e-shrug* "
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