But hey, don’t worry about it, that was a year ago, which is like, a lifetime, pretty much, and he was only young then, and people change, and besides it’s comedy, and what’s more comedy than laughing at Jews and “fat chicks”? NPR presents the minimizations:
Updated at 4 p.m.
Comedy Central has now responded to the criticism directed at comedian Trevor Noah. In a statement cited by Politico, it said:
“Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included. To judge him or his comedy based on a handful of jokes is unfair. Trevor is a talented comedian with a bright future at Comedy Central.”
Ah yes, he pushes boundaries and is provocative, and what’s more boundary-pushing than laughing at Jews and “fat chicks”?
Almost anything. There are few things more conventional and within the boundaries than making fun of people for being things like fat or Jewish or ugly or Chinese or short or ill or ragged or in any way a deviation from the meritorious norm of being an attractive tall strong prosperous white male of the correct ethnic origin.
That’s what. (Since Trevor Noah isn’t white you’d think that would occur to him, but whatever.)
But hey, it’s comedy, he’s a comic, so lighten up and get over yourselves and join the fun.