This morning we were bombarded by emails and messages about an incident that happened a couple of days ago at The Columbus Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant. It seems while on stage performing, comedian Vince Morris made several jokes about all types of things from race to religion, and some of which included transgender material. The transgender joke in turn made a heckler stand up and did his best to disrupt the comedy show.
It was reported to us and as we discovered, the Funny Bone issued an apology over the incident to all of its patrons who attended and was not as supportive as we would have liked them to be, especially since Morris received a standing ovation. With that being said, Morris released a statement via his Facebook page over the entire incident which we hear was extremely accurate.
Here it is;
In response to the backlash towards the Funnybone, and myself no one has asked ME what really happened. A lot of people who weren’t there seemed to have their own version.
I understand the Columbus Funnybone has issued an apology; Taking “full responsibility” of what happened and they don’t condone “Hate speech” or “Bigotry.” Etc. The Funnybone has NEVER condoned any of these things. NEITHER do I. I’ve worked for them for many years. Unfortunately that’s not what happened in THIS case. I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN ACTIONS AND MY JOKES.
First off: There was no “bashing”, “hatred”, “bigotry’, “discrimination”, etc. I don’t believe in that in my life or my comedy; but I DO believe in Freedom of Speech on stage and from the audience. With that being said:
Here’s EXACTLY what happened: Thursday, Nov 19 2015 Columbus Funnybone.
THE COMEDY CLUB IS FAIRLY FULL
I am about 15 mins into my act, the show is going very well after doing some local and social material. Then I go into another bit. This is the joke, set up, punchline and response verbatim,
“…Political correctness in enemy of the 1st Amendment, I think you should be able say what you want to say, act how you want; as long you don’t physically hurt anyone or take things out of context…life is to short not to laugh and keep it moving that’s what I do. If you’re anti black- fine with me! If you’re pro black- fine with me! If you’re anti government- cool! If you’re pro government- cool! If you’re anti gay- whatever! If you’re pro gay- you’re a faggot! Just laugh and keep moving!”
CROWD IS LAUGHING!
I then continue. This is the joke, set up, punchline and response verbatim,
“…Don’t get mad at peoples opinions, opinions make for great dialog, I think you’re an asshole? Well I think you’re wrong- good lets talk!”
CROWD IS LAUGHING MORE!
I continue with the next joke, set up, punchline and response verbatim,
“…. I’m talking to my cousin and he says, I think Caitlyn Jenner is a woman.” I tell him…”Bruce Jenner is man. Period. Because…he cannot have…a period! You have ONE Y chromosome and THREE ex-wives, you’re a man!…”
CROWD IS REALLY LAUGHING!
Before I can go into another bit. This is what happened and what was said verbatim,
A man stands up and yells “FUCK YOU!” I stop and look. I ask, “What?” He says, “FUCK YOU! You’re up there making fun of transgenders and calling gays faggot!”
LAUGHTER DIMINISHES A LITTLE.
I then say, “Making fun? These are ALL jokes. Were you not listening or were you just taking things out of context? (In reference to the first part of my joke.)
CROWD IS LAUGHING.
He says, “I’m offended!”
I look straight at him and say,
“Sir, you’re NOW offended? Let me get this straight….you weren’t offended when I did a joke earlier about the Mexicans building this comedy wall behind me? You weren’t offended when I did a joke about there being too many Africans in this area? You weren’t offended when I did a joke about a racist calling me nigger on my first day at work? THAT was all funny but NOW you’re offended?”
THE CROWD STARTS TO CLAP!
He says, “Making fun of transgenders is not funny, they experience a lot discrimination! You wouldn’t know anything about that!”
THE CROWD SEEMED SURPRISED. (OPENED MOUTHS AND GASPS)
I laugh. I look at my the back of my hand and back at him and say,
“Are you FUCKING kidding me? I wouldn’t know anything about discrimination?”
CROWD IS NOW ROARING!
He then yells, “YOURE AN ASSHOLE! BEING GAY IS WORSE THAN BEING BLACK!”
THE CROWD IS SILENT FOR A SECOND OR SO AND THEN GOES FUCKING BANANAS!
Some people began yelling at him, “FAGGOT!” “FUCK YOU!” “GET THE FUCK OUT OF HEAR!” “BEING BLACK IS NOT A CHOICE!” ETC…
I NEVER called HIM a “faggot” What I DID SAY TO HIM at that point was,
“Sir, you hearing the word faggot, telling me fuck you and being gay is worse than being black and now you’re storming out? That’s a faggoty move!”
The whole exchange lasted only about 2 or 3 minutes. He and his friends leave. The crowd quiets down. I am a little upset. I then “RE-CAP” what the fuck just happened! Continue doing another 45 mins. After an hour show, I then receive a STANDING OVATION! Additionally, after the show while I greeted over one hundred patrons, I received nothing but positive comments about my performance. In fact, many commended me, on how I handled what they saw was a disruption of my show.
Here is a clip of Vince’s performance a little while ago;
