How to Pull Off Offensive Jokes Like Carlos Mencia

Ned Holness was born in Honduras as the 17th of 18 children. At 3 months of age, he went to America to live with his aunt and uncle. He quit college a few hours short of earning an electrical engineering degree when he won an open-mike comedy competition and decided that was his passion. During his stand-up career, Ned Holness became Carlos Mencia, started to pull off offensive jokes, and never looked back.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Be an equality opportunity offender. Carlos Mencia plays no favorites and offends everyone. By offending everyone, he can pull off offensive jokes with the claim that he hates all peoples equally. Therefore, individuals of any sex, race or religion should not take offense, because they are all targets.

2. Use the fact that you are minority as a shield to fend off criticism for offensive jokes. Carlos often makes jokes at the expense of his heritage and race. This makes it easier for him to tell offensive jokes about others because he is equally hard on himself.

3. Taunt people who take offense to your jokes. If you can create an attitude of self-confidence and face off with your critics, even while on stage in the middle of your act, it makes it easier to tell offensive jokes. Carlos Mencia often stops a show if he hears some groans of disapproval for his humor. He will then proceed to make fun of or tell the offended audience to relax.

4. Monitor the meaning and intent of the jokes carefully. There is a big difference between using offensive words or jokes and truly meaning to offend someone. Carlos Mencia staunchly defends the intent of his offensive. He maintains that people focus too much on the words but not the intent.