Political correctness
Chris Rock On Finding The Line Between Funny And 'Too Far'
"No comedian wants to have to analyze and defend" jokes, says Rock, who wrote, directed and stars in the new film Top Five. He adds: "I'm not a politician; I'm not a thinker. I'm a comedian."
Maybe We All Need Some 'Sensitivity' Training
Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the word "sensitive" was complicated long before it was political. These days, "sensitivities" can be a stand-in for a lot of different attitudes -- some more defensible than others. Our modern stress on sensitivities, he says, probably set back cultural understanding as much as it has advanced it.
Lipstick On Your Choler (Or: Did You Call Me a Pig?)
When Barack Obama trotted out a well-worn, folksy phrase about cosmetics and swine, the political world developed a sudden rash. Linguist Geoff Nunberg asks what all the shouting was about.
Remembering George Carlin
In the 1970s, George Carlin's seven dirty words routine was the center of a famous obscenity case. More recently, the comic was named the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Carlin died of heart failure Sunday at the age of 71.
Political Discourse
Linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on the outrageous nature of political talk shows. He uses Ann Coulter's remarks describing Sept. 11 widows as witches to illustrate his point.
George Carlin's Iconic Look at 'Life'
The comic whose Beyond the "Seven Dirty Words" routine that sparked a famous obscenity case in the 1970s, George Carlin has been an icon of American humor for decades. Now he has a new HBO special, Life is Worth Living — a parody on life, death and suicide. The show, Carlin's 13th HBO special, will air on Nov. 5.
Comedian and Actor George Carlin
Carlin's seven dirty words routine was the center of a famous obscenity case in the 1970s. He has a new book When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? His other books include Napalm & Silly Putty, and Brain Droppings.
Novelist Philip Roth
His book The Human Stain is about a professor accused of racism who has a secret about his own ethnic identity. It's just been adapted into a new film starring Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman. The Human Stain won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It is the third of a trilogy that includes his American Pastoral and I Married a Communist.
Novelist Philip Roth
His book The Human Stain about a classics professor accused of racism has just won the PENN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It's his second such award. He won his first in 1994 with Operation Shylock. The Human Stain is the third of a trilogy which includes his American Pastoral and I Married a Communist.
Race and Language.
Geoffrey Nunberg comments about the return of the "N" word in American dialogue.