It’s said that laughter is the best medicine. But are there some topics that are just too serious for jokes?

A new documentary tests that question through the lens of one of the worst atrocities ever, the Holocaust. Is it okay for comedians to joke about it? Take a look at the trailer for The Last Laugh.

• This is a movie about comedians telling jokes in bad taste. Does it make a difference if a professional comedian does it as opposed to you doing it?
• Is there any subject you think is beyond humor? (In other words, is there anything that should never be joked about under any circumstances?)
• Have you ever heard a friend tell a joke or make a statement that you found offensive? Did you say something or just laugh politely?
• Why do you think people are sometimes tempted to tell jokes or create humor around very serious, distressing or potentially upsetting subjects?
• It seems that many jokes you may hear are based on stereotypes (the thrifty Scotsman, the Asian who’s a bad driver, the humorless German). Is it okay to perpetuate such stereotypes in the name of humor? Does it matter who’s telling the joke?