Maron, who appears in Todd Phillips' Joker, responded to the director's claim that "woke culture" is killing comedy. "The only thing that’s off the table culturally at this juncture,” Maron recently told his WTF podcast listeners, “is shamelessly punching down for the sheer joy of hurting people.” Maron added, according to The Wrap: “There’s plenty of people being funny right now. Not only being funny but being really f*cking funny." There are still lines to be crossed and envelopes to be pushed, he continued, but “really, the only thing that’s off the table culturally at this juncture, and not even entirely, is shamelessly punching down for the sheer joy of hurting people. For the sheer excitement and laughter that some people get from causing people pain, for making people uncomfortable, for making people feel excluded.” But, Maron added, “it’s no excuse. If you’re too intimidated to try and do comedy that is deep or provocative, or even a little controversial, without hurting people, then I mean, you’re not good at what you do. Or maybe you’re just insensitive.” ALSO: Comedian Deon Cole says "cancel culture is horrendous," especially when it comes to Kevin Hart -- but Shane Gillis' SNL firing was justified.
TOPICS: Marc Maron, Deon Cole, Kevin Hart, Shane Gillis, Todd Phillips, Standup Comedy