Comedy Under Siege: John Cleese Leads Fight Against ‘Woke Scolds’ and Self-Censorship
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The future of comedy is facing a reckoning as veteran performers grapple with increasing pressure to conform to modern sensibilities, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on creative expression.
A growing number of comedians are voicing concerns about the limitations being placed on their art, with john Cleese, the iconic star of “Monty Python,” emerging as a leading voice against what he calls “woke scolds” attempting to stifle humor. Cleese has publicly raged against attempts to censor classic television shows and films, and also the broader trend of restricting topics and encouraging performers to preemptively sanitize their material.
The issue extends beyond established stars.Comedian Whitney Cummings recently shared on X (formerly Twitter) a personal realization about hypocrisy,stating,”I think I recently realized I was a hypocrite for complaining about censorship but was also self-censoring.” She detailed receiving backlash for a podcast clip criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s travel to china, posting the clip on January 3, 2025.
https://twitter.com/WhitneyCummings/status/1742389876543219456
Further illustrating the pressure, a post from November 12, 2023, highlighted comedian Bill Burr admitting that his wife acts as a filter for his jokes.
https://twitter.com/alpharivelino/status/1724289987654321098
A Divided Python: Idle’s Approach to Modern Comedy
While Cleese actively resists the perceived constraints, his former “Monty Python” colleague, Eric Idle, appears to be adopting a different strategy. According to reports, Idle, now 82, is proactively seeking guidance on what material might offend contemporary audiences.
The Times of UK, citing an upcoming BBC Radio 4 interview, revealed that Idle consults with his daughter, Lily, and his goddaughter before incorporating jokes into his act. “Sometimes I’ll ask my daughter or my goddaughter… I’ll say, ‘Can I say these things?’ And they’ll say, ‘Yeah, that’s OK’, or not,” Idle explained. He added, “But I don’t worry about [being cancelled]. I’m not saying terribly controversial things; I’m trying to make them laugh.”
This approach has drawn criticism from those who see it as a capitulation to a restrictive cultural climate. Some observers suggest that Idle’s willingness to adapt may explain why other established comedians, such as Jimmy Kimmel and Howard Stern, have seemingly embraced more progressive viewpoints, potentially to avoid scrutiny of past material that could be deemed problematic.
The Complicity of Comedy Gatekeepers
The debate is further complex by the role of media outlets that cover comedy. Cracked.com, a website with roots in the satirical magazine Mad, is facing accusations of hypocrisy. Once a champion of irreverent humor, Cracked.com now openly promotes what it terms “woke bylaws” and actively criticizes comedians who challenge prevailing norms.
The site reportedly mocked Cleese for his outspoken stance while simultaneously praising Idle for his willingness to self-censor. This dynamic raises questions about whether certain media outlets are actively contributing to the stifling of comedic expression, prioritizing ideological alignment over artistic freedom.
The situation underscores a growing tension within the comedy world: a battle between those who believe in the power of unrestricted expression and those who feel compelled to navigate an increasingly sensitive cultural landscape. The long-term consequences of this shift remain to be seen, but the current climate suggests that the future of comedy may depend on who ultimately prevails.
