Comedian Achey Urges Humorists to Respect Boundaries and Apologize When Necessary

Malaysian comedian Achey has urged his peers in the industry to be mindful of their jokes, stressing the importance of respecting boundaries and considering how their humor might affect others. He believes that creative freedom does not equate to the liberty to joke about anything without regard for the situation or the feelings of specific individuals or communities.

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For me, it all depends on the situation. If we bring something into a performance, we need to be sensitive about whether it is appropriate or not.

Achey explained that the appropriateness of a joke depends heavily on the context. He advised comedians to gauge whether their material is suitable, especially when it involves specific individuals or national issues, suggesting prior notification might be necessary. For public performances, he noted that guidelines are similar to television, while private events like ticketed stand-up comedy shows, where phones are prohibited, offer a different dynamic.

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If it involves specific individuals or touches on national issues, it's best to inform them first. We also need to see if the matter has sensitivity among the audience.

Understanding the subject of a joke is crucial to prevent misunderstandings or offense, according to Achey. He described good humor as knowing when to start and, more importantly, when to stop, warning against excessive repetition. If a joke becomes an issue or makes the target uncomfortable, he stressed the need for humility and a prompt apology, stating that no one, even in comedy, is always right.

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If the performance is open to the public, the guidelines are almost the same as television. There are still rules.

He acknowledged that current guidelines can sometimes limit creativity, but emphasized that comedians must be sensitive to evolving societal attitudes toward etiquette and propriety. Achey pointed out that certain topics, like body shaming or race, are off-limits. He concluded that comedy is broad, and while restrictions can make it difficult to develop, comedians must be intelligent in their approach, and audience reception remains a vital factor.

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To make a joke, it has to be at the right time. There's no problem if we joke on stage, but don't keep touching the same thing over and over until it's excessive.