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Has ‘wokeism’ killed comedy?

Hope I won't be shot down for daring to ask this question ...

It may seem like comedy is no longer possible, because if it offends a single person in society the comedian will immediately be “cancelled”.

Over the past few years, people have become more sensitive when it comes to topics concerning race, gender identity and sexuality. We have seen some important benefits due to this. Granted, we still have a long way to go, but we have made great strides. And because of this, we have become more aware of how jokes can harm – for example, by reducing a group to a single, inaccurate stereotype.

Take a look back to the sitcoms of the 70s – how many of them would be screened today? And also more recent comedies such as Little Britain and Citizen Khan.

As a result of this increase in “wokeness”, comedians have been affected.

According to the BBC, Little Britain will no longer be streamed on iPlayer because “times have changed”. Netflix followed suit and added Matt Lucas and David Walliam’s other hit series, Come Fly with Me, to the banned list.

When we were growing up, it was acceptable to make light of all sorts of things that today we can’t make jokes about.

Is comedy a ‘casualty’ of the ‘woke culture war’? Do you think this is a good thing? 

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