ARGUING YES
Comedian, Producer, Author of “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore”
ARGUING NO
Actor and Comedian
GUEST MODERATOR
Editor-in-Large of Reason
This week:
- Comedy: Does a culture of wokeness promote censorship or inspire better jokes?
- A closer look at unscripted comedy
- Your Sunday reading list
We hope that you are enjoying a wonderful holiday weekend. This week, a bit of levity as we look at a very serious question regarding free speech: Is wokeness killing comedy?
Headline comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Bill Maher refuse to do comedy shows on college campuses today, because they view student audiences as being too politically correct and not as much fun to entertain. So, we asked two professional comics to take the stage live at the Comedy Cellar in New York City to debate wokeness.
On one side, there is a longing for the old days of raunchier, no-holds-barred comedy and a concern that creativity is being stifled because of political correctness. They argue that this limits the comedian’s free speech and ability to tackle tough subjects. Those who don’t see wokeness as comedy’s downfall argue that comedy acts have always changed with the times and comedians shouldn’t need to rely on offensive jokes or stereotypes to make their skits funny, but can instead focus on crafting smarter jokes. They also argue that new norms have made comedy more inclusive, welcoming more women and minorities into the fold.
Arguing “yes”, wokeness is killing comedy, is Lou Perez, a comedian and Webby-winning producer who wrote the book “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore”. Arguing the other side is The State and Wet Hot American Summer actor and comedian Michael Ian Black. Editor-in-Large of Reason magazine Nick Gillespie guest moderates the debate.
Is wokeness killing comedy and chilling the free speech of comedians? Or is it taking the medium to new, possibly more evolved places? Listen to the debate now on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and our website. As always, let us know what you think, and have a happy, relaxing holiday weekend.
DEBATING THE DATA
The Types of Jokes That Make People Laugh
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?
YES: Lou Perez
“The environment that up-and-coming comedians are trying to work in right now, where liking the wrong joke could derail your career… makes it a, very, very tough time in a genre that’s already tough. It’s already tough to try to make something new, to make something great, to make something original.”
NO: Michael Ian Black
“There’s a difference between pointing out somebody’s ethnicity and using the tropes about it as humor versus having a thoughtful take on ethnicity or sexual orientation or gender. I think this movement has actually elevated comedy to make comedians, good comedians, more thoughtful about the jokes that they make. Because they can’t stand on those crutches.”
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
The Supreme Court Rejected an Attack on Medication Abortion, But the Fight Is Far From Over
Julia Kaye | June 25, 2024
Creators
Watch Julia’s mock trial on whether the Courts should restrict access to the abortion pill
Will Biden’s debate performance turn out to be fatal or just a bad night?
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Brookings Institution
Watch Elaine’s debate on whether primary elections are ruining democracy
Countering pushback to limiting social media for kids
Leana Wen | June 27, 2024
The Washington Post
Watch Leana’s debate on whether COVID booster shots are unethical
MAGA Is Not Getting Everything It Wants From the Supreme Court
David French | June 27, 2024
The New York Times
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