Unbit Butter, a neo-futuristic comedy group at Millikin, is known for its outlandish skits and crude humor that tackles uncomfortable topics ranging from politics, human rights, and campus culture.
They are often known for their shock factors that create bold statements and make people think deeply. But everything changed when a frog was dissected.
A few weeks ago, the app YikYak (a campus community app) erupted due to Unbit Butter dissecting a frog on their Instagram page.
Many comments on YikYak were harsh criticisms of how this dissection was horrid and inhumane. Among other comments, such as one being that Unbit “sucks and is a sorry excuse for comedy on campus.
While reading through these comments, I wondered what triggered so many about a frog being dissected when, in middle school, I too dissected a frog, but for my science class. Not once did I vomit or think that this creature that was already dead would magically spring back to life and croak. I knew the concept of death from a young age and the basic understanding that a dead creature can’t feel anything.
Out of all the things to be outraged about in this school, half of YikYak was in a tizzy about a dead frog. Maybe it was the graphic scene of insides being turned out or the way the limp frog sat staring into the abyss. Whatever the case may be, I wanted to dive deeper into what caused discomfort and outrage.
Because of the hate on YikYak, one could argue that this recent show held last week on the Quad felt slightly off from the usual upbeat and “I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks” atmosphere. About 98% of its members were graduating seniors who were getting ready to spread their wings away from Millikin University. Looks of sadness and the hint of bittersweet were lingering in the air.
As I sat with friends for my last Unbit show of the school year, I watched in anticipation as the clock struck 12 and the hour countdown on a laptop began. It was crowded, lively, and hilarious. However, because of my gag reflex, I simply could not watch liquid ice cream toppings being spat in a bowl by all of the Unbit members. And eating that same spit-up made me have to make a 180 in my seat.
Many of the skits pulled my heartstrings. One of Unbit’s members, Max, a trans man, injected his testosterone into his leg to prove that the process isn’t as scary as many politicians make it out to be. Another skit depicted a story of sexual assault and its effects. One extremely powerful skit in particular talked about Dr. Wallace Sutherland and his mishandling of Title IX cases, as well as his strange misogynistic behavior around women.
A skit that I thought was notable was when the members of Unbit addressed the negative commentary on YikYak. When I watched, I could see the sadness in some; others found it funny and simply brushed it off. I thought about how, while the majority were graduating and this would indeed be their last show, a few others would still be here. They will steer the direction of where Unbit Butter will end up in the future.
While I was sitting there, it hit me why a frog, of all things, would make someone so outraged. It wasn’t about the frog. Well, it was, but it wasn’t. The frog dissecting symbolized the blatant, unapologetic nature of Unbit. Raw, untamed, and wild. Not afraid to ruffle feathers and make people uncomfortable. As Unbit members display their vulnerability, they put a mirror up to the audience and make us feel the same.
I think that, beyond the silliness, Unbit Butter is an art form of expression. It allows comedy to merge with serious real-life issues, whether that is in school or beyond this campus. And I think that’s why many students, including myself, find Unbit Butter to be not only hilarious but important to student life.