Marc Maron responds to Joker director Todd Phillips’ comments about “woke culture” supposedly ruining modern comedy. The conversation surrounding the issue continues almost a week after it started. There have been multiple people who pushed back on Phillips, the man behind films such as Due Date and The Hangover trilogy, most notably Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit helmer Taika Waititi. But the latest to share his two cents on the matter is Maron, who coincidentally was in Phillips’ latest film.

Phillips’ Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, Arthur Fleck - a failed comedian who eventually assumes the persona of the Clown Prince of Crime. It also features a stellar supporting cast, including Robert De Niro’s Murray Franklin, Zazie Beetz’ Sophie Dumond and Brett Cullen’s Thomas Wayne. Maron didn’t have much screen time, playing the producer of Franklin’s nightly show, Gene Ufland, but he did make his presence known. Despite having minimal involvement, the actor still worked with Phillips. Couple that with the fact that he’s been a stand-up comic for many years, and people are obviously intrigued to hear what he has to say about the director’s recent controversial comments.

On the latest episode of his podcast WTF with Marc Maron, the veteran comic addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Phillips’ comments. As someone who has first-hand experience in all of this, he points out some insightful ideas that give fans a better look at the status of modern comedy.

More than a harsh response to Phillips’ claims, Maron’s comments is a great guiding light for those who somehow relate to the Joker director’s sentiments. People have the freedom of speech and comics have the right to practice their craft in however they want to do it - without any intention of hurting other people. Regardless if they feel like this PC culture is hindering them from putting out material, at the end of the day, they can’t please everyone. So comics should stay true to themselves and perform their comedy, albeit with the knowledge that actions sometimes have consequences.

“There’s plenty of people being funny right now. Not only being funny but being really f***ing funny. There are still lines to be rode. If you like to ride a line, you can still ride a line. If you want to take chances, you can still take chances. Really, the only thing that’s off the table, culturally, at this juncture  - and not even entirely - is shamelessly punching down for the sheer joy of hurting people. For the sheer excitement and laughter that some people get from causing people pain, from making people uncomfortable, from making people feel excluded. Y’know, that excitement.”

“Bottom line is no one is saying you can’t say things or do things. It’s just that it’s going to be received a certain way by certain people and you’re gonna have to shoulder that. And if you’re isolated or marginalized or pushed into a corner because of your point of view or what you have to say, yet you still have a crew of people that enjoy it, there you go! Those are your people. Enjoy your people.”

On the other hand, people overall, and especially public figures, are definitely more mindful of what they say nowadays due to the fear of becoming a social media target. Additionally, people often jump to conclusions and are more than willing to write someone off without knowing the whole context of the situation. The public should certainly be more careful in doing that, since it’s also unfair to jump the gun and “cancel” someone right away just because of a single social media post or potentially inflammatory statement. That said, Maron is right when he says that comedy is still very much alive.

More: Joker Director Won’t Clear Up Questions About the Ambiguous Ending

Source: WTF with Marc Maron

  • Joker Release Date: 2019-10-04 Birds of Prey Release Date: 2020-02-07 Wonder Woman 2 Release Date: 2020-12-25 The Batman Release Date: 2022-03-04 Suicide Squad 2 Release Date: 2021-08-06 Super Pets Release Date: 2022-07-29 Aquaman 2 Release Date: 2023-12-25