Its really odd how different cultures see humour differently. I saw the QI programme concerned, and thought the observations quite funny, but there you go, I thing its fair to say that black humour has always been a feature of British comedy.
Personally I think Ricky Gervaise is about as funny as toothache, but even I was taken aback that the biggest offence taken at his by now notorious Golden Globes rant was over his remark that he thanked God he was an atheist. That would get a laugh over here but apparently religion is the big no-no for comedians in the states.
Different cultures - different reactions.