Police investigating a report of a “hate incident” have said “no crime” was established after two Israeli audience members were reportedly heckled out of Reginald D Hunter’s Edinburgh Fringe show.
The US stand-up comedian issued a statement on Thursday following reports two people were booed out of his Fluffy Fluffy Beaver show at Assembly George Square Studios over their objection to a joke about Israel.
Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, described it as an “unfortunate incident”.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a hate incident, which reportedly took place at an event in Edinburgh on Sunday 11 August 2024.
“All information gathered was fully reviewed and no crime was established.”
Hunter, 55, was said to have made a joke comparing Israel to an abusive partner.
He was then heard telling the two Israelis to leave after they heckled him saying it was “not funny”, The Telegraph reported.
In his statement posted to social media, Hunter said: “There was an unfortunate incident in my new show Fluffy Fluffy Beaver.
“As a comedian, I do push boundaries in creating humour, it’s part of my job.
“This inevitably created divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bully.
“I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members.”
The Georgia-born comic’s “anti-war” reference appears to be a reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism charity said the “events described at the Edinburgh Fringe are extremely concerning”.
Posting on X, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but they also have a responsibility to their audience.
The campaign group claimed the two people were Jewish Israelis and were “hounded” from the show by the audience.
“We have seen this before in recent months, and venues must stand extremely firm against this kind of behaviour,” the post added.
Hunter and the Edinburgh venue have been contacted for additional comment.
IXMCMXCII on
Was this a comedy show or an academic thesis on the Pros & Cons of Israel? Honestly, comedy is subjective I agree. Heckling the comedian? Objectively Karen like behaviour.
qwerty_1965 on
As reported it appears Hunter’s biggest error of judgement was not intervening as some of audience showed hostility to the two who walked out. The star has power and should be willing to use it for civility.
Salty_Nutbag on
How stupid do you have to be to heckle a professional comedian.
In what world do you think you’re going to “win” that?
[deleted] on
[deleted]
Relative-Dig-7321 on
 Holy shit the police investigate a joke at a comedy show!Â
limpingdba on
RD Hunter has been posting a few strange things on twitter recently, conspiracy theory type stuff… no idea if it’s in any way relevant to the stuff he said in his show but its interesting that a previously reasonably safe and mild, prime time (UK) tv friendly comedian is facing criticism about his material whilst seemingly going a bit off the rail on his socials
Vudoa on
I mean it was utterly ridiculous when it was Sadowitz getting the heat and his materially is sooo.offensive (funniest live stand up I’ve seen though) — this is so tame in comparison
BamberGasgroin on
Fuck all to do with this, but Israel are destroying any sympathy the world held for them as quickly as they are destroying Gaza.
9 Comments
Police investigating a report of a “hate incident” have said “no crime” was established after two Israeli audience members were reportedly heckled out of Reginald D Hunter’s Edinburgh Fringe show.
The US stand-up comedian issued a statement on Thursday following reports two people were booed out of his Fluffy Fluffy Beaver show at Assembly George Square Studios over their objection to a joke about Israel.
Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, described it as an “unfortunate incident”.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a hate incident, which reportedly took place at an event in Edinburgh on Sunday 11 August 2024.
“All information gathered was fully reviewed and no crime was established.”
Hunter, 55, was said to have made a joke comparing Israel to an abusive partner.
He was then heard telling the two Israelis to leave after they heckled him saying it was “not funny”, The Telegraph reported.
In his statement posted to social media, Hunter said: “There was an unfortunate incident in my new show Fluffy Fluffy Beaver.
“As a comedian, I do push boundaries in creating humour, it’s part of my job.
“This inevitably created divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bully.
“I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members.”
The Georgia-born comic’s “anti-war” reference appears to be a reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism charity said the “events described at the Edinburgh Fringe are extremely concerning”.
Posting on X, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but they also have a responsibility to their audience.
The campaign group claimed the two people were Jewish Israelis and were “hounded” from the show by the audience.
“We have seen this before in recent months, and venues must stand extremely firm against this kind of behaviour,” the post added.
Hunter and the Edinburgh venue have been contacted for additional comment.
Was this a comedy show or an academic thesis on the Pros & Cons of Israel? Honestly, comedy is subjective I agree. Heckling the comedian? Objectively Karen like behaviour.
As reported it appears Hunter’s biggest error of judgement was not intervening as some of audience showed hostility to the two who walked out. The star has power and should be willing to use it for civility.
How stupid do you have to be to heckle a professional comedian.
In what world do you think you’re going to “win” that?
[deleted]
 Holy shit the police investigate a joke at a comedy show!Â
RD Hunter has been posting a few strange things on twitter recently, conspiracy theory type stuff… no idea if it’s in any way relevant to the stuff he said in his show but its interesting that a previously reasonably safe and mild, prime time (UK) tv friendly comedian is facing criticism about his material whilst seemingly going a bit off the rail on his socials
I mean it was utterly ridiculous when it was Sadowitz getting the heat and his materially is sooo.offensive (funniest live stand up I’ve seen though) — this is so tame in comparison
Fuck all to do with this, but Israel are destroying any sympathy the world held for them as quickly as they are destroying Gaza.
They have gone far beyond the pale.