Owen Benjamin, one of the last real comics standing, hosts the latest video from Prager University, “The Strange Death of Comedy.” He shares his hilarious yet thoughtful insight into how the world of comedy is being affected in the age of identity politics.
“In today’s hyper-sensitive world, it’s hard to know what’s funny anymore. And as someone who makes his living as a comedian, that’s a big problem,” Benjamin says. “Ask Jerry Seinfeld. He’s announced he won’t play college campuses. He doesn’t want to deal with all the political correctness. And he’s not exactly edgy.”
“Comedy is important. Why? Because it’s a pressure valve that allows us to discuss uncomfortable truths in a friendly way. Laughs are better than punches. But identity politics is killing the gag,” Benjamin says.
The comedian discusses how the hypersensitive challenge anyone who dares to offer an opinion if they veer from their designated victim group.
“Comedy only works when we agree on certain realities,” he says. “Take this joke. ‘Why do you always go fishing with at least two Baptists? Because if you only take one, he’ll drink all your beer.’”
“The reason this gets a laugh is because most of us recognize that many religious people are a little more religious around other religious people,” he says. “That hypocrisy is funny because everybody can relate to it on some level. We’re all a little hypocritical now and then. The problem is that today, fewer and fewer people seem to agree on the basics. You know… shared assumptions.”
Benjamin discusses how comedians are trading their jokes for political correctness and how it is stifling their audiences.
“There’s no shortage of things to laugh about. We just need to find them. Together. And if we don’t, we’ll explode,” he warns.
Watch the video below: