Conan O’Brien Urges Comedians to Reconsider Their Approach to Trump

During a talk at the Oxford Union Society, Conan O’Brien shared his thoughts on how some comedians seem to have lost their way, focusing more on anger towards President Trump rather than humor.

He expressed concern that many in the comedy arena have abandoned laughter for heated tirades. “We don’t have straight lines now. We have very bendy, rubbery lines,” he remarked, pointing out the chaotic nature of current political discourse.

Some comedians, he noted, have taken an approach that is solely anti-Trump. “I think some comics go the route of, ‘I’m always going to just say F. Trump,'” he said. O’Brien believes this constant anger blinds them to their best asset—comedy itself. “I think you’ve now given up your biggest weapon, which is fun, and replaced it with anger,” he added.

Finding a Balance in Humor

The 62-year-old comic emphasized that comedy should adapt to serious situations without giving up its essence. “Anyone like that would say, ‘Well, things are too serious right now. We don’t need to make jokes.'” But O’Brien believes that finding humor in difficult times is crucial. “Good art is always a great weapon, and it’s always the perfect weapon against power,” he explained. If the focus is just on screaming, then something vital is lost.

O’Brien reminisced about some of his best moments in comedy, where parody was a key element. He noted an example of outlandish headlines, like those from the National Enquirer, which are so absurd that they become almost impossible to mock. “How do you parody that?” he mused, highlighting the complexities of crafting comedic material around Trump’s often unpredictable behavior.

Reflecting on the current state of comedy, he further stated, “Comedy needs a linear progression,” but right now, “we have very crooked, rubbery lines.” He’s hoping comedians will find their way back to a more thoughtful and funnier approach.