“People on the right think I’m a libtard and that my wife writes my jokes, and then people on the left think I’m a Trumper.” The comedian Bill Burr chats with Andrew Marantz about why he views himself as “apolitical.”
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Burr thinks he's Denis Leary...he's not. Leary NAILS angry rants and makes valid, funny points. Often, Burr is just being a bitch on stage. Don't like it? Don't care.
He's not my cup of tea. He's frequently an ass and I can see why people get confused about where he might land. Because he can land all over the place. JMO
He isn’t really apolitical, as much as willing to poke fun at anyone. He is usually taken out of context in brief clips, by the left and right, which is likely why many view him as political. He is a comic.
Hello? Bill Burr always is straight up and straightforward. He might not obsess about policy and political theatre but he stands up for what’s right and calls out the bullshit.
Lead with that next time.
People on the left that think he’s a “trumper” are completely dysfunctional. People are complex… I still think it’s pretty obvious where most of his personal values lie politically. That don’t mean you will agree with him 100% of the time, I don’t but the all or nil support of people is wild.
I’ll have to add that if one reads his words in this article I think it is clear who he is. He may not articulate it in the way some want to hear but he’s not wrong. I think he’s tired of the arguing but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t abhorred by some of this shit we are seeing and he has spoken…
Up loudly on a lot of the things many out here are angry at. We do ourselves a disservice to read the headline without really knowing what his takes are on a lot.
Maybe his “apolitical” is clunky… I don’t think he is, he just doesn’t want to fight all the time. And let’s be real… that’s done mean…
The privileged lie, claiming to be “apolitical”, but that just means they benefit from the predatory fascist status quo, and thus give it their full-throated support.
I think Burr doesn't want to be called political because he believes that comedians who identify as political are unfunny hacks. Fans of his rant style of comedy also lean conservative. But neutrality isn't workable anymore; it never was. Neutrality is support for the status quo: conservatism.
The only people on the left who dislike him are PC morons. The he one thing I hate about woke culture is that comedians (all of us, really) are expected to walk on eggshells now. There's nothing wrong with being nicer and more accepting, but we should be able to joke about whatever the fuck we want.
This is no different than people on the right complaining about cancel culture. You can say what you want; no one stopped this man from speaking. But then you reap reap the consequences of what you said.
It steps over the line if government censors speech or…
…violence, or the threat of, is directed at someone because they exercised their right to protected speech.
But if you exercise your right to protected speech you can’t whine about someone else doing the same in response just because you don’t like what they said.
Not remotely the major part, not even a big part. There is a difference between targeted, mean spirited, cruel humor and using humor to point out the absurdity of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, & stereotypes. My comments aren’t about Burr as I have only heard a few routines.
You absolutely can and freely speaking has always had consequences, push back, comments back, looks off disdain. Being nice often requires not being cruel, mean, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, etc - I don’t feel like I’m walking on eggshells but then I don’t find targeted humor funny.
I was working the sign in booth at the Netflix picket during the writers strike, we’re doing crowd control and telling the picketers the rules: only use crosswalks, never go in the street, never block traffic and don’t call anyone a scab. Bill Burr shows up and signs up, grabs a sign, etc. 1/2
He sees a car turning into the Netflix parking lot, and immediately runs into the the street charging at the car screaming ”WHAT ARE YOU GOING INTO NETFLIX FOR YOU FUCKING SCAB”.
We all just look at each other and shrug, saying “just let him cook I guess”.
One can be balanced while calling out a corrupt, traitorous party serving oligarchs and tech-bros on one hand, while also poking fun at some of the cultural politics and limp congressional democrats. One side feels harsher than the other and it should. Sometimes balance works that way.
His perspective is closer to trump bro than anything on the liberal side. You don’t have to be political for your mentality to take sides for you. However, he’s quite critical of the trump side and coming from his angle, that’s pretty damning.
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He focuses more on the contradictions and inconsistencies of how people act rather than the specifics of any particular political philosophy. His claim that he just isn't smart enough to understand politics isn't true however. But good for him not wanting to get pigeonholed.
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I don’t know anything about his politics. I heard some of his jokes and heard a heavy misogynistic tone to them as well as hints of racism. So I stopped listening to him since those aren’t the types of jokes I pay attention to. So honestly I don’t know if his “political neutrality” is genuine
Food and beverage costs might not move him but if a family member gets suspended from school for their hairstyle or a neighbor gets deported, he may change his tune.
Actually, I'm a long time Urantia Book reader which does not reinforce my belief in reincarnation or astrology but still has some radical ideas, like Jesus born in summer and not walking on water and not rising physically from the dead.
He's on every construction site in Canada ,reads internet ,blabs at full volume,rince ,repeat.Gets all worked up if nobody listens or if someone tells him to fuck off and go see a doctor.
We need someone like this guy to be president. Points out the bullshit on both sides, knows his own shortcomings as a human, immense empathy, seeks to learn from the brightest people he can find, can apologize for his own mistakes without qualifications and he'd never want the job.
I absolutely love him and don’t think he’s a Trumper at all, he’s just not afraid to occasionally take the piss out of us liberals, which I honestly respect. Nobody should take themselves too seriously.
What I gather here is that the right wingers enjoy him and the left leaning folks don’t. Bill is welcome to stay apolitical. Audiences have already figured him out.
Bill Burr, in my opinion, can be an asshole. But he's the kind of asshole I might be able to have a beer with. Maybe not two. But I do laugh at his humor.
Bill's not always accurate (in fact, he's wrong quite often) but he's honest, direct, critical of everyone and all sides, and most importantly he's funny -- which is the only salient point because he's a comedian, not a politician or a pundit (no matter how many people try to make him one).
Anyone in the public eye, who claims to be apolitical - with what is happening in this country right now - is a coward and does not deserve our patronage nor our attention.
Respectfully disagree. It’s like Walmart or your local dry cleaners getting political. All businesses (and entertainers are their own business) have a right to stay apolitical and not alienate 1/2 of their customers.
If my local dry cleaners started refusing to clean fascists clothes, I'd be there every week. If they clean the uniforms for the Gestapo...well I'll stop there.
Most in the public eye - celebs, influencers, industry leaders, corporations, etc - have known political biases. Those who claim they are apolitical are cowards because they have a bias, but are afraid to lose money, and are therefore morally & ethically suspect due to their spinelessness.
Point is I think it’s hypocritical to judge a celebrity for being apolitical while we’re all on here calling them cowards while we’re posting under aliasas.
Sure sign of conservatism. Only a conservative can approach apolitical status. Liberals let it outweigh friendships, family, and balance in their lives.
…Evidenced by their maniacal obsessions and shrieking behavior. You just don’t see that extreme preoccupation in conservatives. Trust me.
Bill Burr has been speaking loudly and clearly about his distaste for Musk, Trumpy ignorance. I’m sure I disagree with a ton of his thoughts on the world. And I crave a stronger stance naturally
But his messaging is more impactful on ears that live in diff info loop by framing himself as apolitical
Love Bill Burr but you can not be "apolitical" because that's how traitors and complete idiots like trump get elected! Wake up America we are in the midst of a coup we have a Russian asset in office
I think if a neighbor or friend’s family member gets deported or a relative gets suspended for coming out to schoolmates or an in-law gets beaten by police while tied to a chair, then he may very well be forced into taking a stand.
He has criticized current regime and musk multiple times. Not aligning with either side doesnt mean he is not speaking out. More moderates that speak out the more Magas will realize theyre alone.
I’m sure Bill Burr is an intelligent man with functioning critical thinking skills & some level of empathy for other human beings, democracy & mother nature as a whole.
So when faced with the current existential threat to the above, being “apolitical” is a cowardly cop-out.
He has absolutely annihilated Elon Musk in the last few months, said Free Luigi on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and shut down a reporters idiotic questions on the red carpet by telling them to grow some balls and go after do nothing politicians
He’s constantly speaking out you just haven’t paid attention
He made a good stand when he told the press to grow a pair and stop asking celebrities for their opinions. The press used to actually ask the right questions to the right people now they just go for views and clicks which is why we're in this mess.
Both of these moments matter, it matter he says it aloud, it matters he not take this euphemism based stance in the press. Both things can be true, good lord.
Merriam-Webster Def.
apolitical
adjective
apo·lit·i·cal ˌā-pə-ˈli-ti-kəl
1: having no interest or involvement in political affairs
also : having an aversion to politics or political affairs
2: having no political significance
Now I’ll head back to the blindage and wait for the artillery.
Economics and politics are invariably tied, just ask the IRS. 'Billionaires should not exist' is a political statement about wealth stratification. Burr's statement is a much more aggressive version of that sentiment, as is characteristic of him. Hope that clears it up.
Apolitical is the wrong word. Bill is unbound from the arbitrary tribalism that has engulfed the two major political parties and resulted in.... just the hell we're in right now.
People just upset because he rightly calls out the Dems who have tried to appeal to everyone when they should focus on prioritizing … the middle. Sorry folks, this is why Dems will continue to lose.
Imagine, somebody who doesn’t necessarily want to follow Dem talking points and just has common sense opinions. I’m so tired of purity tests, this is why Dems lose so many damn elections.
This is where I'm at, politically. I think critically, and I won't blindly drink the Kool-Aid of either political wing, so both sides think I'm on the opposite side.
I listened to his podcast for years. He legitimately is pretty stupid and comes to both good and bad conclusions. Despite his flaws he might be the most naturally funny comedian (or person) on earth and I love him
These are glorious times we're living in my fellow Americans. We have been granted a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Not every generation gets to harass, fight, & overthrow tyranny.
We just happen to be the lucky ones. Grace is smiling upon America. Call up the militias.
Revolution is the solution.
Comments
It's not okay.
i hate comedian brain so much.
Lead with that next time.
Maybe his “apolitical” is clunky… I don’t think he is, he just doesn’t want to fight all the time. And let’s be real… that’s done mean…
1. I don’t think such a thing exists.
2. Being such a thing means you are ignoring the problem. “I don’t need to go to the doctor. I’m not sick.”
3. Comedians are very political. Humans make jokes from pain and misery.
and that there is no such thing
The privileged lie, claiming to be “apolitical”, but that just means they benefit from the predatory fascist status quo, and thus give it their full-throated support.
It steps over the line if government censors speech or…
But if you exercise your right to protected speech you can’t whine about someone else doing the same in response just because you don’t like what they said.
Say it now.
That bit feels way the hell off...
He has the same views as me, just with better delivery.
We all just look at each other and shrug, saying “just let him cook I guess”.
“Apolitical” was nobody’s impression.
.
.
.
.
Yet. 😑😒🤔😉😂😭
You’ve just lost your funny bone and you think this is the way to get notoriety back
it says a lot about you if you claim to not see the immorality, corruption, and sheer incompetence of komrade krasnov's regime.
That can be smart, especially when neither option really supports your beliefs.
I don't agree with him. But I do understand why he might go this route.
Fuck him.
his most recent "comedy" special
30 seconds in
you're welcome!
CALLED HONESTY...
If it's the latter, then no -- no one has the right to accept fascism for business reasons.
To do so is to be a collaborator.
Reconsider this.
And thank you, you do as well.
…Evidenced by their maniacal obsessions and shrieking behavior. You just don’t see that extreme preoccupation in conservatives. Trust me.
Be gone.
Eating the rich and free Luigi I think show where he stands morally as well as appropriately shitting on Musk.
But his messaging is more impactful on ears that live in diff info loop by framing himself as apolitical
You're a no mark mate.
That’s convenient
You can only call yourself apolitical if you have enough privilege to not be affected by politics.
The sooner you proclaim yourself one side or the other, you lose half your audience.
Besides, almost nobody is one thing or another. It’s all a spectrum. Reject the tribe.
So when faced with the current existential threat to the above, being “apolitical” is a cowardly cop-out.
Make a stand or STFU.
He’s constantly speaking out you just haven’t paid attention
apolitical
adjective
apo·lit·i·cal ˌā-pə-ˈli-ti-kəl
1: having no interest or involvement in political affairs
also : having an aversion to politics or political affairs
2: having no political significance
Now I’ll head back to the blindage and wait for the artillery.
People are now scared or ashamed to say they’re Dems or on the left because of Russian disinfo and propaganda.
And besides talent, Carlin really gave a shit.
You obviously have never really listened to Burr.
That said, Burr is 100% NOT a misogynistic.
Perhaps you are thinking of Carlin (wry grin)
He's political, he just wants to be able to say whatever and have everyone like him or hate him, depending on what kind of day he's having.
"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim." - Elie Wiesel
Not every generation gets to harass, fight, & overthrow tyranny.
We just happen to be the lucky ones. Grace is smiling upon America. Call up the militias.
Revolution is the solution.
I really wanna know what kind of Anarchist Cookbook shit he'll say after 5 beers.