Comedian Reginald D Hunter has found himself at the center of controversy after a show at the Edinburgh Fringe festival led to accusations of antisemitism. The Eastwood Theatre in Giffnock has dropped his upcoming show following objections from two Israeli audience members.
Hunter, a well-known figure in comedy circles and on TV shows, issued an apology for the incident, acknowledging any stress caused to his audience. However, he also defended his boundary-pushing style of humor, stating that it is part of his job as a comedian.
The decision to cancel Hunter’s show was made by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, citing his “controversial comments” as the reason. The organization emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating that they take their values seriously.
Despite the backlash, Hunter repeated the controversial joke at a subsequent show, receiving laughter and applause from the audience. The incident has sparked a debate about the responsibilities of comedians and the boundaries of free speech.
The BBC has reached out to Hunter’s management for comment on the situation. This incident comes on the heels of another controversy at the Edinburgh Fringe involving comedian Paul Currie and a Palestine flag, highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of comedy in today’s society.
