So Maureen Lipman has joined those complaining that comedy is under threat from ‘cancel culture’. Is this a real threat, or something that’s being exaggerated by conservative types who like complaining that the world is unjustly turning against them?

I have the perspective that there are some liberal types who are too sensitive and ready to complain that comedians they don’t like are unacceptable. But I also think this is used by some old comics who have lost the knack of making a big audience laugh, and some people who don’t like having their perspectives challenges.

I’m aware of two clear examples of cancellation: Roy Chubby Brown being bumped from Sheffield City Hall, and a whole stream of Andrew Lawrence gigs being cancelled. In both cases it seems this was down to decisions by the individual theatres rather than part of a widespread campaign. I haven’t seen any of Brown’s material for a long time so wouldn’t comment on whether he has crossed any lines; but Lawrence’s tweets were clearly racist and I can understand why many theatres didn’t want to let him on their stages. (Would also say he’s the one I’ve seen in the past, about ten years » Continue Reading.