Conan O’Brien expressed concern that the ongoing anger surrounding Donald Trump is stifling humor among comedians. Speaking at the Oxford Union recently, O’Brien reflected on how the heightened emotions linked to the current political landscape have made it difficult for comedians to find the humor in their craft.
“Comedy needs a straight line to go off of,” O’Brien stated. “And we don’t have a straight line right now. We have a very bendy, rubbery line. It feels like we have a Slinky or a fire hose whipping around.” This chaotic atmosphere, he argued, has made it a challenge for comedians to effectively engage their audiences.
O’Brien pointed out that some comedians resort to constantly expressing frustration towards Trump, which he believes can lead to them losing touch with their comedic roots. “When you replace humor with anger, you lose your best weapon,” he said, highlighting how focusing solely on anger can undermine the effectiveness of comedy.
He maintained that the argument claiming things have become too serious for humor is misguided. “If you’re a comedian, you always need to be funny,” he asserted. Instead of succumbing to anger, O’Brien encouraged comedians to channel their feelings into art, which he believes can serve as a powerful tool against authority.
Reflecting on his early experiences at The Harvard Lampoon, O’Brien mentioned the difficulty of parodying certain outrageous stories, such as those found in the National Enquirer, suggesting a parallel to the challenges of creating comedy around Trump’s actions. This was illustrated with a humorous anecdote about attempts to parody a scenario that turns out to reflect bizarre real-life events.
Despite his critiques, O’Brien has not shied away from standing up for the values of comedy. He supported Jimmy Kimmel when Kimmel’s show faced temporary suspension due to critiques of the administration. O’Brien condemned such actions, stating that they should be a concern to everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Comedians, like O’Brien, continue to navigate a complex landscape, balancing the intensity of current events while maintaining their comedic voices. The hope remains that humor can still flourish, serving as a meaningful outlet for both artists and audiences amidst tumultuous political climates.