The awards shows stopped being classy because we don't have many classy celebrities left to choose from. Our standards have lowered dramatically since the days of Bob Hope.

To listen to all the pundits I don't know what to think. I do know the Lincoln joke was gross

wow are you all so old.LOL Bob hope was censured by broadcasting standards at that time. Humor in this country has always been blue. Hello Buddy Hackett for example. If you dont like the humor turn it off. If its too blue thats a sign of the times and maybe you should thank George Carlin. Freedom of speech allows you to shut it off.

You know what, I don't want to turn them off. I want to watch them, but I also want us as a society to be a little bit better. The point to the blog is that I am not old, or offended by them. I very much enjoy "blue humor" (which by the way is pretty antiquated terminology). I am in a fraternity, laughed at most of the jokes on the broadcast, including many of the ones that were inappropriate. The title of the blog is that there should be a time and place for off-color humor and searing satire. It shouldn't be when you've invited a room full of classy individuals to be honored for their work and their excellence, only to ridicule them and embarass them. Worse, if they don't like being ridiculed or embarassed, making them feel out of touch, uncool, or old. Our freedom of speech keeps us from being arrested or censored by our government (usually). It does not protect people from being chastised or mocked for being in bad taste. I really don't even blame Seth McFarlane, who did exactly want everyone expected him to do. He did what he does. It is the fault of the awards shows who are choosing edgy comedians to try and reach for the lowest common denominator rather putting on shows highlighting talent and performance (which clearly is still there as evidenced by the rest of the performances. It is also our fault as a society for allowing the lowest common denominator to take over. There are many who are bored by anything that isn't controversial.

I actually disagree vehemently with Vincent. I believe that there are tons of classy celebrities. In fact the room was filled with them. They sat there and tried to maintain their dignity, while we did our best to tear them down. Let's please not confuse the ground-breaking cutting edge comedy of pioneers like Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock with our participating in dragging a gala event down into the gutter. Loving cutting edge comedy does not coincide with watching classy celebrities like George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, etc. squirming trying to not be offended by insults and ridicule that were barely funny. There is a distinct difference between the Kardashians who are clowns and warrant ridicule and someone like Helen Hunt who took a chance playing a role that involved nudity, only to be foolishly mocked in a pretty stupid song in front of her peers on a night she was nominated for perhaps her greatest performance. It isn't about being funny or not (and it certainly isn't about being old or not). It is simply about a lack of class. Something that many in our society have difficulty even measuring anymore.

all they need is empathy, which , in addition to our thumbs, is what makes us human

I was so disappointed, I really expected good comedy from him and, the classless issue aside, he couldn't even deliver a laugh. When I, a Trekkie, start cringing at the sight of Captain Kirk, then you know its not funny.

And as for the tasteless comedy, when you need to use a 9 year old as a part of your joke, then you crossed a line.