In a candid discussion that dissected the state of modern political humour, veteran comedian and former late-night host Conan O'Brien issued a stark warning to peers consumed by anti-Trump fury. Speaking at the Oxford Union on Tuesday, O'Brien challenged the prevailing notion that the former president has been a boon for comedy, arguing instead that pervasive anger is causing some comics to abandon their most effective tool: being funny.
The Challenge of Satirizing a "Bendy, Rubbery Line"
O'Brien directly addressed the common refrain that Donald Trump is "so great for comedy." He firmly disagreed, explaining that the unique nature of Trump's rhetoric and actions has created an unprecedented challenge for satire. The comedian argued that effective comedy needs a "straight line" to deviate from, a norm to subvert. The current political climate, in his view, offers no such baseline.
"We don't have a straight line right now. We have a very bendy, rubbery line," O'Brien told the audience. He illustrated his point with a real-world example: the controversial White House ballroom construction project. He noted that such an outlandish scenario would typically be the stuff of a comedy writer's sketch pitch, but loses its satirical punch when it actually occurs in reality.
Surrendering the "Best Weapon" to Anger
The core of O'Brien's critique focused on comedians who have let their material be overtaken by pure rage. He expressed concern that this approach ultimately plays into the hands of those they aim to critique.
"Some comics go the route of 'I'm going to just say 'F Trump' all the time' or that's their comedy. And I think well now, a little bit, you're being co-opted because you're so angry," O'Brien explained. He described this mindset as being lured like a siren leading a ship into the rocks, repeating the same furious mantra without deploying humour's sharp edge.
"You've now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you've exchanged it for anger," he declared, emphasizing that screaming vitriol is an inferior tool in a comedian's toolbox.
Channeling Fury into "Good Art" as the Perfect Weapon
O'Brien did not suggest comedians avoid difficult subjects or stifle their legitimate frustrations. Instead, he called for a more disciplined, artistic approach to channeling those feelings. He pushed back against the idea that the seriousness of the times absolves comedians from the need to be funny.
"If you're a comedian, you always need to be funny. You just have to find a way," he stated. The task, as he framed it, is to transform raw anger into potent, insightful art. "Good art will always be a great weapon, will always be a perfect weapon against power," O'Brien concluded, drawing a clear distinction between impactful satire and mere venting. "But if you're just screaming and you're just angry, you've lost your best tool in the toolbox."
His remarks at the prestigious Oxford Union forum provide a seasoned perspective on the delicate balance between political commentary and comedic craft, suggesting that in an era of political upheaval, the latter is more vital than ever.
