Too many comics today tell jokes with half their brains tied behind their backs.
Comedians know the woke revolution leaves them vulnerable to Cancel Culture attacks, large and small. Tell the wrong joke at the wrong time, and that next gig may suddenly vanish. Nice career you have there. It’d be a shame if something happened to it.
Most stand-ups act accordingly, either self-censoring their material or leaning into the progressive zeitgeist like Stephen Colbert and Marc Maron have done. The latter hope it will insulate them from any “problematic” jokes from their past. We’ll see.
The following comics, by comparison, are counter culture to the core.
These joke hurlers go wherever the funny leads them. They brush off Cancel Culture attacks, knowing there are enough people who still crave jokes that prioritize laughter over clapter.
Ryan Long
This Canadian import is the unofficial king of unwoke comedy. The biggest case in point? His viral video, “When Wokes and Racists Actually Agree on Everything.” He’s aggressively apolitical, but he sees comic gold in the Identity Politics space, and he acts accordingly.
Tim Dillon
Remember Howard Stern, or at least the older model who said whatever came to mind? That’s what it feels like to hear “The Tim Dillon Show,” a podcast that’s alternately dark and hilarious. Dillon is gay, but he doesn’t want your protection. He leans to the Right at times, but don’t dare call him a conservative. He’s got his comedy playbook in a death grip, and he dares anyone to snatch it away.
JP Sears
This faux healer is a one-man army against the woke agenda. He’s more brazenly political than some, but Sears uses his genteel shtick to push back against the progressive agenda. Hard. He’s actively mocking all things woke, from trans swimmers to the Thought Police. And he does it with a sheepish grin that says, “Just try and stop me. You can’t.”
Sebastian Maniscalco/Pete Correale
Maniscalco sells out major arenas. Correale is a go-to scribe for shows like Netflix’s “The Crew” and CBS’s “Kevin Can Wait.” Together, they share plenty about their off-screen lives on “The Pete & Sebastian Show,” or, “The Cast” as they call it. The show isn’t political, but the pair do deep dives on the culture sans apology. They’d rather share universal truths than worry about any stepped-on toes.
Tyler Fischer
The co-star of The Daily Wire’s “Terror on the Prairie” turned his back on traditional Hollywood. Why? He realized the Hollywood ecosystem wouldn’t let him say what he wanted to say, or embrace freedom like his comic predecessors once did. The result? A booming digital following, a rising film career and fans who appreciate his riotous take on mask mandates, Dr. Fauci and more.
Chrissie Mayr
This bawdy comic named her recent comedy album “Live from January 6th.” ‘nuff said.
Derek Richards
The cancer survivor got canceled for the silliest reasons possible by “Will & Grace” star Debra Messing. That hasn’t silenced his humor or spirit, and his “A Drink with Derek” podcast showcases his wit and willingness to avoid woke theatrics.
Michael Loftus
Few artists fight the Culture Wars with more vigor than Loftus. The comedian/podcaster/sitcom scribe took part in the recent Deplorables comedy tour, giving the other half of the country something to laugh about. Now, he’s fighting “Saturday Night Live’s” progressive agenda with “That Show Tonight,” a right-leaning sketch series echoing that show’s political satire, but with laughs.
Steve McGrew
This hellbent Southern gent has been poking the progressive bear since Bill Clinton lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Now, he’s taunting the woke mob with YouTube characters like Liberal Larry and creating comedy albums with titles like “Toxic Masculinity.” Fearless and funny, McGrew spends most days in Facebook jail for telling jokes he’s not allowed to tell.
Steven Crowder
The comic backs up his right-leaning bluster with piles of research and his rat-a-tat-tat delivery. It’s what a comic broadcaster needs to stand up to the woke Left. That, and a thick skin while conducting his signature “Change My Mind” public stunts.
Anthony Cumia
The “Opie and Anthony” alum could have called it a career when SiriusXM canceled him in 2014 following an altercation some called racially charged. Instead, Cumia read the comedy tea leaves and created a safe space for comedians to tell their jokes, their way. His Compound Media perch lets like-minded souls crack wise without a net. Cancel Culture can’t touch him now.
Dave Landau
You don’t spend time yukking it up with Cumia without it impacting your comic worldview. The former “Anthony Cumia Show” co-host may lean to the left, but he’s aghast at how woke has impacted not just comedy but the culture at large. Now, he’s part of the “Louder with Crowder” podcast family, delivering killer putdowns that either mock or ignore the woke bylaws.
John Cleese
He’s an icon and a Monty Python legend who hasn’t lost an ounce of his wit or comedy knowledge. So when he declares war on the woke Left, which he does on Twitter and elsewhere, it matters.
Ricky Gervais
“Cancel me. I dare you,” cried Gervais in recent interviews. He doesn’t care. He’s old school that way, understanding a culture that handcuffs court jesters isn’t one worth saving. Few comedians are as funny, or as unrelenting in their attacks on the woke mindset, than the “After Life” star.
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ricky-gervais-armageddon-tour-cancelled-b2004846.html
Adam Carolla
Call him the anti-Kimmel. Yes, Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel’s bromance fueled four seasons of Comedy Central’s “The Man Show.” Kimmel now follows the woke bylaws on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” while Carolla’s podcast and stand-up material won’t bow to the progressive Left. And if you’re waiting for the “Loveline” alum to apologize for a given joke, don’t bother. It’s not in his DNA.
Bill Burr
The Boston comic has carved out a career as a witty character actor, but he’s best known for telling it like it is on stages nationwide. His 2019 “Paper Tiger” Netflix special captured Burr at his irreverent best, swatting sacred cows and dismantling woke scolds with humor and heart.
Dave Chappelle
The “Chappelle Show” star knew the woke mob had him in its sights before he recorded the 2021 Netflix special, “The Closer.” He dared to joke about the trans community anyway, doing so with tremendous empathy. The Cancel Culture mob attacked all the same, temporarily shutting down his upcoming documentary and threatening his Netflix ties. Except the streaming giant actually had his back, hiring him for more comedy projects. He emerged stronger than ever, showcasing what it requires to thrive in our woke dystopia — Courage.
Joe Rogan
He’s the biggest podcaster in the country, and he refuses to do as told by the press and far Left, but we repeat ourselves. Yes, he unwisely apologized for uttering the n-word years ago (never said in a vicious way, and his critics weren’t satisfied). He still emerged from his recent Cancel Culture fight stronger than ever. Why? He won’t back down, and he refuses to follow the progressive Left’s playbook.
Dennis Miller
“The Dennis Miller Option” is no more, but the “SNL” alum still graces stand-up stages across the country to crack wise like only he can – just bring a dictionary. He never bought into the woke template, understanding the best comedy is based in truth and honesty, not illogic on steroids.
Lou Perez
The author of the upcoming “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” is the antidote to all things woke. He’s savvy and quick, and his best YouTube videos with We the Internet TV dissected the woke hysteria better than anyone could.
Greg Gutfeld
You don’t get to intermittently dethrone Stephen Colbert by echoing his woke agenda. Gutfeld is too smart, too willing to ignore cultural boundaries for that. The result? His Fox News brand bloomed anew with his late-night program, which skewers the woke left early and often.
Jimmy Failla
The “Fox Across America” radio host doubles as a “Gutfeld” regular, and for good reason. He’s quick witted, eager to reach across the political aisle and yet unwilling to play by the Left’s rules. And if you miss funny late-night monologues his Twitter feed is your salvation.
Andrew Doyle
Doyle’s “Free Speech Nation” podcast delivers exactly what it promises, but it’s his alter ego who earned his place on this list. Titania McGrath is the ultimate Social Justice Warrior, spreading her woke bromides across her 686K strong Twitter flock. And it’s Doyle, word for word, mocking woke types such as this through his sarcastic persona.
Nick Di Paolo
This Boston native has a word (or two) for the woke mob, and they can’t be printed here. His podcast reveals his no-nonsense approach to comedy, giving audiences a taste of humor before the Fun Police stepped in. He may have moved to the South, but that Beantown edge permeates his gags.
Terrence K. Williams
He might be President Donald Trump’s biggest fan. He also knows he’s not “supposed” to be so conservative given his skin color, at least to the hard Left. Williams shrugs off those expectations, focusing on his considerable online flock and chipper stage presence.
Adam Yenser
How do you survive as part of “Ellen’s” writing staff? Be funny. Be brave. And know that others think like you do, too. It’s been Yenser’s approach for some time, and why he’s now creating killer content for both The Babylon Bee and his own “Cancelled News” YouTube series.
Kvon
Meet the two sides of this Persian-American comic. On stage, he’s mostly clean and willing to share stinging observations we can all enjoy. He uses his podcast and Instagram perch to flex his right-leaning views and willingness to shred the woke bylaws as needed. Both Kvons are funny and thoughtful, showing a keen understanding of how the digital landscape works.
Josh Denny
How many times can a comedian get canceled? Denny might eventually find out. He’s all sharp elbows on social media, and he knows his brand of humor isn’t for the faint of heart. That won’t stop him, nor will Hollywood, Inc.’s attempts to silence his voice.
The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.