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Ben Stiller Warns Comedy Faces Tighter Limits, Urges Free Expression

His remarks follow ABC’s brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel over on-air comments.

Overview

  • In a Radio Times interview, Stiller said taking chances with comedy is more challenging in the current political climate.
  • He encouraged comedians to keep “speaking truth to power” and to remain free to say what they want.
  • He criticized Kimmel’s September hiatus, posting on X, “This isn’t right,” after ABC pulled the show on Sept. 17 and returned it on Sept. 22.
  • He said he declined requests to edit Donald Trump’s 2001 cameo from Zoolander, arguing it reflects its moment in time.
  • He warned that TikTok and Instagram are shrinking attention spans and diluting comedic craft, speaking while promoting his Apple TV documentary about his parents.