Add Tim Allen to the growing list of comedians who are concerned about the politically correct culture’s growing influence.
During a Thursday PaleyFest panel in Beverly Hills, California, to promote the seventh season premiere of “Last Man Standing,” Allen said it’s getting more and more difficult not to offend people today with comedy.
“You don’t know what you’re going to say to offend people,” Allen, 65, said.
Social justice warriors have gained more and more influence in recent years as numerous comedians have begun to lose gigs over jokes. Roseanne Barr lost her high-rated sitcom over a tweet that some deemed racist — this was after she apologized for it.
Norm MacDonald also recently had to apologize for several comments regarding the #MeToo movement. He also had an appearance on “The Tonight Show” canceled.
And comedians like Jerry Seinfeld have put their foot down and said they refuse to do standup on college campuses because of overly sensitive students.
Allen continued, “It is really like dancing on the thinnest ice. I’ve been in the comedy world for 30 years as a comic, and there’s nothing more dangerous right now for all of the comics I know, what we can and cannot say.”
He added that comedians are “basically anarchists” and he is no different.
“I don’t like being told what I can and cannot say and who’s telling me what I can’t do,” he said.
The comedian revealed in another recent interview that he was also a bit of an “anarchist” when it comes to politics.
“Politically I’m kind of an anarchist if you see my stand-up,” he said.
He added that Americans should judge President Donald Trump based on his actions, not his public persona.
“I’ve met [Trump] at [a] charity event years ago, and that certainly doesn’t fit with the man who tweets. I’ve met a lot of people in private whose public persona is a bit off. My perception is ‘Let’s see what he gets done.’ Let’s stop banging on the pilot’s door and trying to pull the guy out of his seat while he’s still flying. You might not like how he’s flying the plane, but let’s let him land it,” he said.
Fox revived the show after various petitions from fans and the seventh season will premiere on September 28.
Allen’s “Last Man Standing” was canceled by ABC after six seasons for what many believe to be political reasons — Allen is a right-leaning thinker, and he plays a conservative father on the sitcom.
Fox revived the show after various petitions from fans and the seventh season will premiere on September 28.
Check out a trailer for the new season below:
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