Ben Stiller shares uplifting advice to comedians tackling the complexities of comedy amid Donald Trump’s second term. The actor-director-producer behind iconic comedies spoke candidly during his promotional tour for the Apple TV documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, in an interview with Radio Times.
Stiller’s Perspective on Comedy
Reflecting on the changing comedy landscape, Stiller remarked, “We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging. You’re seeing that front and center in our country.”
“But I think it’s important that comedians keep doing what they’re doing, speaking truth to power and being free to say what they want. That’s the most important thing.”
Ben Stiller
A Response to Controversy
Stiller’s comments came after Disney briefly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! Days earlier, host Jimmy Kimmel faced backlash following a statement on his September 15 episode that drew criticism from FCC chair Brendan Carr among others. Kimmel commented on political tensions, stating, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
In support of Kimmel, Stiller expressed his disapproval of the suspension on social media, writing, “This isn’t right.”
Stiller’s Political Voice
Known for his critical stance on the Trump administration, Stiller has been active politically, previously endorsing Kamala Harris and participating in the Unite For America call hosted by Oprah Winfrey ahead of the 2024 election. Though he has shifted more towards television recently, notably as an executive producer on the Emmy-winning drama Severance, his comedic legacy remains strong with films like Zoolander, Zoolander 2, and Tropic Thunder, among others.
Reporting based on the original article; quotes reproduced verbatim.
