Comedian Withdraws from Show for Fear of Negative Publicity

Comedian Withdraws from ‘bad Taste’ Comedy Show Amid Fears of Negative Publicity

A kiwi comedian has withdrawn from the Comedy Festival’s ‘Bad Taste Hour’ amid fears that association with the show’s off-colour theme could harm his chances of securing roles in television and the media.

The local comedian, who did not want to be named, has secured several television appearances and presenting roles, and has featured in television advertisements. He feared that these opportunities would be jeopardised if he was “too recognised doing some really unwholesome gags”.

The Bad Taste Hour is a late-night show where comedians appearing in the comedy festival are encouraged to perform their edgiest and darkest material.

Bad Taste Hour co-host Reuben Lee says: “I’ve got no big problem with Comedian X pulling out. Not every comedian in the world wants to be associated with the dark, edgy comedy we are encouraging for The Bad Taste Hour. Plenty of the comedians we have appearing in the show are TV regulars, while others aren’t. They can be as ‘out there’ as they want, but some don’t like going too far. It’s just a matter or personal preference.”

Lee adds: “We knew what we were getting into when we decided to put a show like this together. Businesses which have otherwise been supportive of comedy won’t put our posters up, they just don’t like the non-family friendly connotations”.

The Bad Taste Hour runs as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in Auckland and Wellington next month.

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