Am I the only one

[LolaCola]

who's offended by them using that particular bus on NBC's "Last Comic Standing"?

The producers of LCS have chosen to shuttle the comics back and forth from their residence to shows, in a small bus painted bright yellow, with "Last Comic Standing" where it normally says "Schoolbus". Some of the comics have made jokes about the "short bus" or "riding the short bus".


I do admit, I can be a little thin skinned when it comes to adults making "short bus" jokes, but it just seems so wrong, even just seeing the promos for that show.

In my mind, it sets a bad example. It implies that it's okay to ridicule or mock those busses and, by extention, the riders of those busses. It just seems so wrong to do this toward people, who for the most part, may be least prepared to defend themselves against such mockery.

Aren't we trying to get people to stop making fun of the differently abled? Or am I just overly sensitive about this?

 

[KPeveler]

I think if they plastered the word "retarded" across the bus, it would be completly offensive. so I fail to see why implying these people are funny because they are "retarded" rather than just saying it is less offensive...

I agree the promo was in poor taste, if what you said is true. I havent seen it, but based on your word, it does not sound like a very good decision.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I think I'm probably thin skinned too (although I prefer to think of it as aware); but I also find it offensive; it's a cheap, below the belt shot at a population that is vulnerable. Low, really low.

 

[LolaCola]

Well, I admit it. I sent an email/comment. (http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/)



"I am writing to tell you how offensive I find your usage of that particuar bus for transporting the comedians on your show "Last Comic Standing"and I will tell you why.
By using a "short bus" you are making a mockery of people who rely on those busses, people least likely to defend themselves against such ridicule. You set a disturbing example, encouraging young people to see the busses and their riders as a joke or punchline.
Please rethink continuing to use this particular mode of transport for your comics.

My real name
Proud mother of a special needs child"


This is not the first year they've chosen this method of transport. With all the other options open...a clown car, a VW beetle converted to limo, a car desinged to look like a rubber chicken, the Oscar Meyer weiner mobile...instead they chose to continue to use the little bus.

I don't think it's right and I want them to know why.

 

[arminnie]

I have to tell you that until I read about it on the DIS I had never heard the term "short bus".

Honestly in all my years of living in many different states I was never aware of that term or that a different bus was used sometimes. Maybe it's because bus transportation was not as readily available in the western part of the U.S. where I have mostly lived.

Now that I know that it would be offensive - but I probably would have had no clue except for the DIS. My only sightings of that kind of bus have been at car rental lots or at airport off-site parking lots. I probably would have thought that they hijacked a Hertz small bus.

 

[lvanleer]

If you have a problem with them using those buses....then don't come to Montgomery County Maryland, our Ride-On bus system uses the shorter buses on weekends on routes where ridership is low.....so would you complain about that....they are short buses.

 

[LolaCola]

If you have a problem with them using those buses....then don't come to Montgomery County Maryland, our Ride-On bus system uses the shorter buses on weekends on routes where ridership is low.....so would you complain about that....they are short buses.

Yes, because my issue is with the busses themselves.

I do not like that show using that bus becuase they are trying to imply the comics are mentally deficient in some way. The comics themselves have made jokes about to that effect while on the bus. From there, I don't think it's a big leap to the assumtion that those busses are seen as an acceptable target for ridicule, especially to impressionable young people.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

If it was just that they were using a shorter bus I wouldn't mind it, but the frequent short bus jokes would be offensive to me. Why can't we move on from that?

I do have to say, I love my district. The busses the kids with special needs ride (Those who can't ride the regular bus) are all the same size. You wouldn't know by looking at them what they are for, which takes away a lot of the stigma IMO.

 

[mechurchlady]

I am in a chat room with kids from about 8 up and adults. I had to explain to the kids that a short term for computer was something you did not say in Hispanic homes. A kid made a typo and got kicked from chat for cussing by a bot.

Words are just characters on the screen or page. Words however in certain context are politically incorrect or nasty. I watch them kids and it is sort of "Say it once, oops. Say it thrice, you forgot. Say it 10 times and you know what you are doing, missy, so knock it off, NOW!".

Comics are know for their putting down anything in society. Gender, age, race, handicap, religion, you name it and they get some heat then go back to doing it again and again. Short bus jokes are wrong and if I was prone to writing I would.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I'm not offended at all. They don't need to use a longer bus because they don't have the number of ppl it takes to fill such a bus. Short buses are used for plenty more things than disabled children/people.

The jokes they made about the "short bus" may not have been politically correct and may have been offensive to some, but so are MANY of the other jokes they and all other comics tell, just to different groups of ppl (i.e. race/color, gender, religion, jobs, wealth/poverty, etc.). Comedians make jokes about everybody and anybody - that's their job, whether somebody takes offense to a particular comment or not.

Last year's (or was it the year before?) winner was a man with CP. Most of his jokes were about CP and being disabled and some were about other things. They might have offended some ppl - sometimes comedy does that to some ppl. Sometimes, you just have to laugh. (And he was stinkin' hilarious!! I don't think any of this year's comics are quite as good, though there have been some good jokes and sets in there.)

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I don't think it's a problem that they're using the bus. But, if by referring to it as "the short bus" they are making fun of people with disabilities, then I do think it's a problem.

I have heard that term used many times in a derogatory manner. In the special ed preschool class where I work, we once told a dad that his son was eligible for door-to-door bus service. He said, "No way! My son's not riding the short bus!" So, in his mind, it was OK for his kid to be in special ed but not OK for him to ride the "short bus."