Cancel Culture's War Against Comedy: A Conversation from the Comedy Cellar
Join us for a Conversation on how comedy—practiced by professional comedians in comedy clubs—managed to survive cancel culture. Obviously, it was done with wit, but were jobs on the line, did comedy clubs close, what was it like for those in the business of laughter came to realize that their country no longer could take a joke—when the nation itself turned bitter and humorless. This was especially true on the college campus.
What topics were especially off-limits? Should any jokes (or humor that some deem to be offensive) ever be forbidden? Who kept the lights on in America’s funny houses and who notably and successfully pushed back against the tastemakers that prohibited comedy?
Join us with comedy club owner and free speech crusader Noam Dworman and comedians Judy Gold and Karen Bergreen. It will be an evening that will make you think, and most of all, laugh, at a time in American culture that may, or may not, finally be behind us.
This program is produced in partnership with the Comedy Cellar.
Noam Dworman
Comedy Cellar Owner
Noam Dworman owns The Comedy Cellar in New York City, The Village Underground, and The Fat Black Pussycat. He also owns Cafe Wha? He created the 2015 documentary Can We Take a Joke? and the 2018 docuseries This Week at the Comedy Cellar. Dworman also hosts podcasts Live From The Table and Live From America.
Judy Gold
Comedian
Judy has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She is the author of Yes I Can Say That: When They Come For The Comedians, We Are All In Trouble, a critically acclaimed book about free speech and cancel culture which debuted as the number one comedy release on Amazon and was featured in the New York Times Book Review. The solo show, Yes I Can Say That! directed by BD Wong and starring Judy premiered in March 2023 at 59E59 Theaters and received rave reviews. Judy is also featured prominently in Trevor Noah’s recent documentary XCLD: The Story of Cancel Culture. She hosts the weekly hit podcast, It’s Judy’s Show with Judy Gold.
Judy is featured in the new Netflix documentary Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, which explores the history of LGBTQ+ standup comedy. Judy’s recent acting credits include feature films She Came To Me (Susan Shaw), Tripped Up (Chef Missy) and Love Reconsidered (Susie). Recent TV credits: Showtime’s City On A Hill (Cassndra Kassell), FX’s Better Things (Chaya). Showtime’s The First Lady (Elizabeth Read), Apple TV+ Extrapolations (Sophie). Other guest stars include Hulu’s Life and Beth, Girls 5 Eva and recurring roles on Comedy Central’s Awkwafina, Netflix’s Friends from College and TBS’ Search Party.
Judy is one of the main subjects in the Hulu documentary Hysterical. . She has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show. From 1999-2010, Judy was the host of HBO’s At the Multiplex with Judy Gold. Judy also won two Emmy awards for writing and producing The Rosie O’Donnell Show. She was also a writer on the final season of Better Things.
Judy has written and starred in three critically acclaimed, Off-Broadway hit shows, the aforementioned Yes I Can Say That!, The Judy Show – My Life a s a Sitcom (Outer Critics Circle Nomination), and 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother (GLAAD Media Award – Outstanding NY Theater, Drama Desk Nomination – Actor). Judy received rave reviews as Gremio in The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park all-female production of The Taming of The Shrew. She also co-starred in Off-Broadway’s Clinton! The Musical, and Disaster! The Musical.
Judy has made numerous appearances on The View, The Today Show, The Drew Barrymore Show & and on MSNBC, CNN and NewsNation as a free-speech advocate. She often pops up on The Food Network, but she tries to forget competing on Chopped All Stars and Rachel vs. Guy.
Judy’s three albums, Conduct Unbecoming, Kill Me Now and Judith’s Roommate Had a Baby are available wherever you get your music.
Karen Bergreen
Comedian
Karen Bergreen is a stand-up comedian, author, podcast host, and educator. A New Yorker and Harvard grad, she left her law career for comedy. Karen has performed at Gotham Comedy Club, The Friars’ Club, and on Comedy Central, The View, and The Jim Gaffigan Show. She’s also the author of Following Polly and Perfect is Overrated. When she’s not making people laugh, she’s at home with her husband, two kids, and their needy dog, Tootsie.