Judy Gold - Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble

Contents

YES, I CAN SAY THAT . Copyright 2020 by Judy Gold. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Excerpt from The Great Depresh 2019 by Gary Gulman. Reprinted with permission.

Smith, Bob, TREEHAB: TALES FROM MY NATURAL, WILD LIFE 2016 By the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Reprinted by permission of the University of Wisconsin Press.

Cover design by Stephen Brayda

FIRST EDITION

Names: Gold, Judy, 1962 author.

Title: Yes I can say that : when they come for the comedians were all in trouble / Judy Gold.

Description: First edition. | New York : Dey Street, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: "Judy Gold, a concise, funny, and thoughtful polemic on the current assault on comedy, that explores how it is undermining free speech and a fundamental attack against the integrity of the art. From Mae West and Lenny Bruce to Richard Pryor and Howard Stern to Kathy Griffith and Kevin Hart, comedians have long been under fire for using provocative, often taboo subjects to challenge mores and get a laugh. But in the age of social media, comedians are at greater risk of being silenced, enduring shaming, threats, and damaged careers because of angry, censorious electronic mobs. But while comedians work has often been used to rile up detractors, a new threat has emerged from the left: identity politics and notions like "safetyism" and trigger warnings that are now creating a cultural and political standard that runs perilously close to censorship. From college campuses to the Oscars, comics are being censured for old jokes, long-standing comedy traditions, unfinished bits and old material that instead of being forgotten, go viral. For comics like Judy Gold, todays attacks on comics would have Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce "rolling in their graves." "No one has the right to tell comics what they can or cannot joke about. Do you tell artists what they can or cannot paint?" she asks. Freedom of speech is fundamental for great stand-up comedy. Humor is the most palatable way to discuss a subversive or taboo topic, but it better be funny. A comics observations are deliberately delivered to entertain, provoke, and lead to an exchange of ideas. "We are truth tellers." More important, the tolerance of free speech is essential for a healthy democracy. In addition to offering readers a quick study on the history of comedy and the arts (noting such historical reference points as The Hays Code) and the threats to them., Gold takes readers on a hilarious ride with chapters such as "Thank God Don Rickles is Dead," as well as her singular take on "micro-aggressions," such as: Person: "OMG! Youre a lesbian? I had no idea. I mean you wear make-up. When did you become a lesbian?" Judy Gold: "Coincidently, right after I met you!" (micro-assault!) In this era of "fake news," partisan politics, and heated rhetoric, the need to protect free speech has never been greater, especially for comics, who often serve as the canaries in the coalmine, monitoring the health of our democracy. Yes I Can Say That is a funny and provocative look at how safe spaces are the very antithesis of comedy as an art form-and an urgent call to arms to protect our most fundamental Constitutional right. Theres a good reason it was the FIRST amendmentProvided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019054781 | ISBN 9780062953759 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780062953773 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: ComedyPolitical aspectsUnited States. | CensorshipUnited States. | Freedom of speechUnited States. | Political correctnessUnited States.

Classification: LCC PN1929.P65 G65 2020 | DDC 792.7/6dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019054781

Digital Edition JULY 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-295377-3

Version 06122020

Print ISBN: 978-0-06-295375-9

In memory of Uncle Bob Smith, whose reverence for language was unparalleled; whose unrepentant honesty, dignity, and pride in being gay was intoxicating; and whose hilarious comedy changed the conversation. Thank you for filling our lives with love and laughter. We miss you every second of every day.

And to all of the comedians on stages all over the world, who every single night fearlessly tell their stories, speak truth to power, and make the world laugh.

Contents

J udy, why are you writing the foreword to your own book? Because I hate asking people for favors unless it includes some type of massage.

Since our beginning, human beings have instinctively known that laughing is good for you. The saying laughter is the best medicine is derived from the book of Proverbs. And, despite the passage of thousands of years, people today are pretty much laughing at the same things our ancestors were laughing at in biblical timeseach other, ourselves, our differences, and the flickers of recognition that confirm were all the same. Good jokes are infused with human emotions accessible to everyone.

When I was approached to write a book on the freedom of speech from a comedians perspective, I was elated that someone at a large publishing house thought that my point of view on the topic warranted enough interest to write a book. But, the more I wrote, the more I realized that there was no way to fit in everything and everyone. The list of comedians, actors, satirists, cartoonists, journalists, writers, and other artists whose work exemplifies the sacredness of our First Amendment rights is far too long for me to pay homage to them individually. Suffice it to say, I believe we are all blessed by those who paved the way and broke down barriers so we could laugh while speaking truth to power.

My viewpoints and opinions are based on my almost four decades of experience as a comedian. I performed my first stand-up set in 1981, and from that point on, I was hooked. I have been far from perfect with my use of language, and I, like most comics, regret bits or jokes Ive done that went too far. In the 1980s, comics working in comedy clubs could basically say whatever they wanted. No subject was taboo, but the key wasand still isthat if you were going to joke about a subversive topic, like race, religion, sex, politics, or death, it had to be funny. Some people would laugh. Some people wouldnt. Some would applaud. Some wouldnt. Then theyd pay their two-drink minimum, and wed all go home and move on with our lives.

Several months ago, one of my favorite comedians, Dave Attell, asked me if I thought he could include a joke in one of his specials without backlash. Dave is arguably one of the funniest, quickest, most fearless, and most politically incorrect comics working today. I couldnt believe that even he was worrying about possible retaliation for one of his hilarious bits. Its terrifying out there right now for stand-ups.

My goal was to write a book that not only makes people think but sparks conversation. As you make your way through these pages, I hope you gain some understanding of what its like to be a comedian in 2020. I sincerely want you to develop an appreciation of the role comedy plays in fostering healing and cohesion during difficult periods like the present, when our fragile democracy is under attack. But most of all, no matter what, I want you to keep laughing.

Eternity is a mere moment,

just long enough for a joke.

HERMANN HESSE