“It’s up to us whether we’ll ever laugh again”: Maureen Lipman says cancel culture can ‘wipeout’ comedy. She warns that something must be forbidden in order to really make people laugh.

  • Actress at 75 said that comedians were now afraid to offend anyone because of a “revolution”. 
  • He said that comedy was “like laughter in church” – and that ‘forbidden things’ are the best.
  • Recently Terry Gilliam had Old Vic  show cancelled after a post on Facebook 










Maureen Lipman of the University of Notre Dame fears cancellation culture is leading to a society that’s ‘at risk’ from comedy.

The 75-year old actress said that there’s been a revolution which has made comedians afraid of offending anyone.

A YouGov poll found that almost half of Britons would censor their views to protect someone they are just meeting. This figure rose to nearly two-thirds for sensitive issues such as trans rights.

Lipman 75, said there has been a 'revolution' that has left comedians so scared of offending anyone it was 'balance whether we're ever going to be funny again'

Lipman 75, said there has been a ‘revolution’ that has left comedians so scared of offending anyone it was ‘balance whether we’re ever going to be funny again’

Lipman stated that he believes it is a revolutionary idea, and it will be in the balance whether it ever becomes funny again.

It’s like laughing in church. You can’t have something that makes you laugh.

This cancel culture, that punishment is everywhere, it’s everywhere. Therefore, you have to stop working again. Comedy is on the verge of disappearing.

YouGov’s poll about cancel culture was shared with BBC. 49% would change or conceal their views to not offend someone they just met. 21% would do the same with their families.

Recently, the comedian Terry Gilliam broke his silence about his show being cancelled by The Old Vic theatre after he backed controversial US comedian Dave Chappelle

Terry Gilliam recently broke his silence regarding his cancelled show at The Old Vic. This was after he supported Dave Chappelle, an American comedian.

57% said that they hide their real views about issues like trans rights and immigration.

Terry Gilliam, the Monty Python actor broke his silence regarding his show’s cancellation at The Old Vic after backing controversial US comedian Dave Chappelle.

The 81-year-old was set to co-direct Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods next year when the iconic theatre in London announced the production had been called off last month.

The change came after Gilliam encouraged his 495,000 followers on Facebook to see Chappelle’s controversial Netflix series, The Closer.

A post was made on social media by the actor stating that his ‘unspeakable offense’ was suggesting to his followers via Facebook to view a show featuring a brilliant American comedian’.

The Old Vic was intimidated to cancel its production, which he said was very sad.

He stated that it was very disappointing for a cultural institution like The Old Vic to allow itself to be intimidated by a few closed-minded, humourless ideologues who work at their office, “The Old Vic 12 ”…as if the victim of cruel injustice trying desperately to fight for their freedom!”

The Monty Python star, 81, was set to co-direct Stephen Sondheim's musical Into The Woods next year when the iconic theatre in London announced the production had been called off last month

The Monty Python actor, now 81, had planned to direct Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods. However, the legendary theatre in London announced that the production was cancelled last month.

The comedian took to social media to say his 'unspeakable crime' was recommending to his Facebook followers to watch a show by a 'brilliant and provocative American comedian'

He took to social media and revealed that his “unspeakable crime” was suggesting to his Facebook friends to see a show from a “brilliant, provocative American comedian”.

“My unforgiveable crime was to recommend my Facebook friends to see a Netflix Special by an American comedy star. Then, they could share their thoughts with me.

“They did, and civilisation didn’t collapse!” The Old Vic’s artistic credibility has been a strong point.

“Freedom of Speech” is often attacked. But I didn’t imagine that Freedom of Recommendation could be at risk.

Russell Kane called the notion ‘nonsense’. 

In October, Gilliam took to Facebook and said he would 'love to hear the opinions' of those who had watched Dave Chappelle's new show

Gilliam posted on Facebook in October that he’d ‘love’ to hear from those who’d watched Dave Chappelle’s show.

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