Provocative comedian performs at Centre In the Square
Maybe it was destiny that landed the rowdy comedian Jim Jefferies in the same theatre most recently visited by the infamous Bill Cosby. Kitchener’s Center In the Square theatre sold out two back-to-back Jefferies shows last Thursday night.
The things Jefferies said cannot be reiterated in public, if at all. Maybe there was a time, in the 80s or so, when you could get away repeating these jokes in the workplace, but now not only would you be terminated, but your pink slip would end up on Reddit, embarrassing you for eons to come. Jefferies takes the max advantage of his comedic license and is not afraid to shy away from controversial topics, no matter how polarizing.
While always teetering on the edge of way too far, Jefferies manages to have prolific, personal, and political undertones to his work. If you strip away the obscene and leave aside the humor, what is offered is fresh perspective on LGBTQ rights, donor insemination, parenting, and being in the one percent.
Jefferies described Canada as the Australia of North America, from where he originally hails. He lamented that taxes are so atrociously high, but he has the money and doesn’t mind paying. What was interesting is that he went on about how the real problem is that the money given provides no safety net or free healthcare. With this in mind, it must make Jefferies one the most NSFW leftist comedians in North America today.
One could compare Jefferies’ act to the series South Park. It is certainly not for everyone, but once you lick through the façade of filth, harsh words, and metaphors, you can reach the political chocolate nugget core.
Getting back to Cosby. After Jefferies made his entrance to ACDC’s “Highway to Hell” (also Australian), he instantly began to lambast Cosby and all of his supporters. This included everyone in Kitchener who may have gone to see him in the few weeks prior. After his total annihilation of Cosby, he got into the dirt, which got cringe-worthy – just how Jefferies must like the crowd to feel. He is one of the last pushers of the in-your-face “did he just go there” style of comedy.
It has been brought to the forefront of his attention that his work can be extremely misogynistic. He unapologetically explained that what he does is tell jokes and that is his job. Immediately after, ever so famously, he used his phrase “but this is real” and went head-on into a joke for his defamers.
Oh and by the way, yes, he did just go there. All over. Everywhere.
To see his madness, you can catch his Netflix special titled, Jim Jefferies: BARE. This is not for the faint of heart, and it would be advised to wear headphones if in a public area. Or don’t. It’s your life, after all, so laugh until your heart is content, just don’t blame us for what happens next.