The Death of Comedy: Woke Culture IS Killing Our Laughter: OP-Ed=Personal Opinion

The landscape of comedy is not just shifting – it’s crumbling under the oppressive weight of extremist woke culture and the madness of political correctness. These self-righteous zealots are strangling the very life out of comedy, silencing some of our most talented comedians. This overzealous, misguided crusade for inclusivity and sensitivity, while perhaps rooted in good intentions, is creating an environment where true creative expression is on the brink of extinction.

Let’s get something straight: “woke” originally meant being aware of social injustices, especially related to race. Now, it has morphed into an insidious force that encompasses a whole array of over-the-top progressive ideas and practices. These so-called "woke warriors" insist on new practices to replace the old, policing every word and action to prevent the slightest hint of offense. They thrive on creating a power struggle between progressive and conservative values, stifling any real conversation.

PC culture aims to foster politeness, civility, and fairness – all noble goals. But in practice, it has become a tool for censorship, creativity-killing, and self-censorship. Critics argue, rightly so, that it stifles free speech and limits the boldness and creativity that comedy thrives on.

Comedy is bleeding out, and these cultural extremists are holding the knife. Comedians now face the impossible task of tiptoeing around the boundaries set by PC culture. Topics that were once considered fair game are now taboo, off-limits due to the fear of backlash and accusations of insensitivity. This pervasive climate of fear leads to rampant self-censorship, with comedians feeling forced to filter their material to avoid offending anyone.

Comedians should have the freedom to express their creativity. Instead, they are burdened with the oppressive responsibility of ensuring their jokes do not offend. This suffocating balance between sensitivity and humor is killing the healthy comedy scene we once had, forcing comedians to walk on eggshells instead of delivering sharp, thought-provoking humor.

Comedians are being bullied into adapting to the ever-changing, ridiculous expectations of an overly sensitive audience. Some choose to push boundaries deliberately, risking their careers, while others avoid controversial topics altogether, becoming shadows of their former selves. Open dialogue and adaptation are crucial, but the relentless pressure to conform kills spontaneity and the edge that defines great comedy.

Gabriel Iglesias, known affectionately as "Fluffy," is a prime example of this cultural disaster. Despite his immense talent, his recent special was criticized as overlong and underwhelming. Not because he wasn’t funny, but because he was forced to turn his special into a semi-political intervention to placate the hypersensitive. He had to explain that comedy often involves self-deprecation and while ti sometimes involves family and friends, it should not be taken seriously, diluting the essence of his performance.

Another tragic victim is Drew Lynch. During a performance, he was interrupted by a so-called "woke" audience member who didn’t understand comedy and spent the entire set on her phone. Lynch had to stop and explain his jokes (while trying to use examples of how it would be and trying to be funny), breaking the flow and running out of time. This incident highlights the growing disconnect between comedians and audiences increasingly brainwashed by woke and PC culture.

If this insanity continues, we will lose the vibrant, daring spirit that makes comedy an essential part of our cultural fabric. Extremist woke culture, cancel culture, and political correctness, driven by the far-left, are steering us towards a future where comedy is sanitized and homogenized. This isn’t just about millennials – most of whom, by the way, couldn’t care less about what people do. This madness is being fueled by Gen-Z and a vocal minority of millenials hell-bent on controlling every aspect of entertainment.

Comedy's role is to push boundaries, challenge norms, and provoke thought. It allows us to confront uncomfortable truths and laugh at our imperfections. Stripping it of its edge in the name of inclusivity will only serve to homogenize entertainment, leaving us with a bland, lifeless shell of what was once a thriving and diverse comedic landscape.

Photo byMarija ZariconUnsplash

Here's a video link of Lynch's performance