The Shift of Satire

Satire as we know is used in popular media today in a wide array of different ways. Sometimes, however, it is not so often understood by audiences. Therefore, why has satire been so successful in administering itself in so many things today? How acceptable is it? Is there a line it’s crossed? The answers to those questions may vary from person to person, but I would personally think that it is all a matter of opinion, environment, and acceptance. When we look at shows such as Saturday Night Live that usually make fun of people or events that have occurred, we usually are bound to laugh at the ridiculous and humorous things they say and do. But, how appropriate is it and how has the line that was created in order to separate humor and offensiveness slowly shifted in order for us to accept more vulgarity without a problem or… is there even a line? Our culture has steadily moved into an ideology of moving forward and acquainting ourselves with various types of humor and sayings that have arised and been occurring more often as times has continued to progress. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve rarely seen shows such as SNL but I feel like what is said and occurs in such shows is all a part of our culture and acceptance today. When they say things regarding a certain race or person, our first instinct is to laugh (because we know it’s JUST a show), and society has instilled that it is ok to do so, though it was not always like that.