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Steve Harvey Says ‘Cancel Culture’ and ‘Political Correctness’ Killed Comedy

Photo from Steve Harvey’s Instagram

Steve Harvey Says ‘Cancel Culture’ and ‘Political Correctness’ Killed Comedy

By Movieguide® Staff

After comedian Dave Chappelle received backlash over his latest comedy special, TV personalities, other comedians, and actors have grown more vocal about the negative effect that “cancel-culture” has on comedy.

Recently, Steve Harvey condemned cancel culture at the Television Critics Association press tour while promoting his new ABC daytime courtroom series JUDGE STEVE HARVEY.

“The only way I can do one more special is if it’s at the end of my television career because it will end my television career,” Harvey said. “We’re in the cancel culture now. No stand-up that is sponsor-driven can say anything he wants to. Chris Rock can’t. Kevin Hart can’t. Cedric the Entertainer can’t. D.L. Hughley can’t. I can go down the list. The only person that can say what they want to say on stage is Dave Chappelle because he’s not sponsor-driven. He’s subscription-driven.”

Chappelle’s special, THE CLOSER, came under fire for jokes revolving around the transgender community. Despite the public outcry, Netflix defended Chappelle and kept the show available on their streaming platform.

Harvey doubled down on his criticisms of cancel culture, even noting that it could ruin comedy forever.

“If I had tried to continue as a stand-up, there’s no way I could maintain it,” Harvey said. “Political correctness has killed comedy. Every joke you tell now, it hurts somebody’s feelings. But what people don’t understand about comedians is that a joke has to be about something. It has to be about somebody. We can’t write jokes about puppies all the time. The joke can’t be about bushes all the time. Some of these jokes will have to be about people, because that’s the most interesting topic. So if I come back, I’ll have to wait until I’m done. And I’m not done. I want to do one more. I’ll probably have to call it ‘This Is It.’”

Harvey isn’t the only comedian to comment on cancel culture.

Movieguide® previously reported:

Actor Jimmie Walker, best known for his performance in the classic comedy series GOOD TIMES, said that he expects the current “cancel culture” to continue to hurt comedy.

Walker, 74, recently said that it is becoming more common for comedians to lose their entire careers based on one joke.

“I think that comedy is going to be really rough for the next few years,” Walker said.

Walker’s comments come after people are pressuring Netflix to cancel Dave Chappelle’s newest comedy special, in which he reportedly makes several politically incorrect jokes.

“Chappelle is lucky he’s in a great position. I wish him the best of luck. He’s obviously very talented, he’s made a lot of money and that’s going to help him tremendously. That’ll help him get past the cancel culture,” Walker said of the comedy legend. “I’m happy that he’s doing what he’s doing in terms of continuing on. That’s what I’ll say about that.”

Walker continued, “I think we’re at a point that you can’t make jokes about certain things. It’s going to change the whole face of comedy. I’ve said it onstage but you’ll never see another ‘M*A*S*H,’ you’ll never see another ‘Jeffersons,’ you’ll never see another ‘All in the Family.’ Those days are over, ladies and gentlemen, so I guess we’ll have to change up.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


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