rant · moment 15 of 17
Comedy Censorship, Ellen, and the Kathy Griffin Controversy
from The Gift · #97
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
3 minThe trio rant about comedians being unfairly blamed for social issues, defend edgy and provocative comedy as a mirror of society, and debate the Kathy Griffin Trump photo controversy and free speech traditions.
- 53:46Tim argues that comedy is supposed to ruffle feathers, and people should be able to turn it off if they don't like it.
- 54:08The skill in comedy comes from making edgy material funny because it's something you wouldn't normally say at work.
- 54:37Tim worked for Ellen and found her grouchy and cold, but doesn't think it's worth the fuss everyone makes about it.
- 54:50People should calm down—opinions aren't hurting anyone's brand, and attacking comedians doesn't serve creativity.
- 55:08Comedians aren't holding back social progress; art is a mirror to society, not the driver's seat.
- 55:35Tim was torn on the Kathy Griffin beheaded Trump photo—part of him thought it went too far, but part saw it as a joke.
- 55:50This country was founded on the idea you can hold the president in effigy or burn them; flag burning and political speech are protected.
- 56:18If you can burn a flag or overthrow the government theoretically, why can't you make a statement about somebody?
- 56:39Tim describes himself and friends as complex people—being gay, this, that—and says life is too short to avoid complexity and just blend in with sheeple.
- 56:56Living it up and embracing complexity beats being boring and fitting in with everyone else.