That’s What She Said

WARNING: This column contains some vulgar language. Be advised. It is not in a derogatory sense, it is merely the name of a video. But you have been warned.

As I was perusing the Entertainment Weekly site today, I found this column by Mark Harris, a gay columnist at EW. His column takes issue with the video that has been floating around YouTube since the Oscars, “I’m Fuckin’ Ben Affleck.” This video, which features Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck singing the song, along with a choir full of celebrity cameos, was in direct response to Sarah Silverman’s video, “I’m Fuckin’ Matt Damon.”

Silverman and Kimmel have been dating for five years (I think – don’t hold me to this exact figure), and she is known for her raunchy and vulgar jokes and antics, especially on her Comedy Central program, “The Sarah Silverman Show.” So when she appeared on Kimmel’s show and debuted the Matt Damon video, everyone thought it was either A) hilarious or B) too vulgar. Perhaps some viewers thought it was both, but either way it became a huge national internet sensation virtually overnight.

In response Kimmel made the Affleck video. Why Ben Affleck? Because he is best friends with Damon. A fact that everyone knows. In fact I am pretty sure there have been numerous jokes revolving around that couple’s sexuality. The video was not funny because it was a gay couple, it was funny because of who the subjects were.Would it have made sense to use Matt Damon’s wife? No, probably not. She does not have the public life and friendship that most people know and associate with Damon and Affleck.

I understand why members of the gay community might take offense to the video, but by looking at it from the angle of the long-standing friendship of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, I can see the humor in it as well. The video should not be seen as an anti-gay video. I have not read any other resposnes from anyone from the gay community, but I would love to see what others think.

Was it wrong for Kimmel to make this video? Do other gays find it nearly as unfunny as Harris did? I want to know. Because I find it extremely funny, even if it is also extremely vulgar.

I wish we lived in a country or society where there was not such a division between the gay and straight communities. I’m a liberal and I believe in equal rights for all no matter one’s sexual orientation or race, etc. I’ve had countless arguments over the right for gay marriage to be legalized in this country. I find it despicable that it is even an issue. Being gay should not have the stigma it does, but unfortunately many people are homophobic and afraid of people who are the least bit different. But is it possible for the world to change when the outcasts refuse to see any humor? However where would we draw the line?

The column by Harris addresses some of these issues in reference to Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra making racial jokes to Sammy Davis Jr. and having the latter laugh whole-heartedly at them. We may never know if these jokes stung or not, but I know that Kimmel and Affleck never meant any harm by making the music video. It was only for humor and the subject was chosen merely for his very public friendship with Damon.

Why can’t we all just get along? No one is out to get anyone else.