Hi all,

I'm looking for suggestions for left-wing comedians. Most of the people I know are getting up there in years and I'd like to find some new names.

Bonus points for people with more explicit socialist (or anarchist etc) orientations as well but I would like to be somewhat broad here while avoiding garden variety identity politics or liberalism as much as possible. Examples of some comedians who fit this description to varying degrees:

UK: Rob Newman, Mark Steel, Mark Thomas, Stewart Lee, Alexei Sayle

US: Lee Camp, Ted Alexandro, Judah Friedlander, David Cross, Nato Green

Italy: Ascanio Celestini

France: Guillaume Meurice

Germany: Volker Pispers

Spain: Facu Diaz

As you can see, I am interested in other languages as well and look forward to seeing your suggestions.

Thanks!

Josie Long, Linda Smith, and Frankie Boyle are all socialists I think.

Quote: jsg @ 5th July 2020, 11:48 PM

Josie Long, Linda Smith, and Frankie Boyle are all socialists I think.

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Thanks....yep, they all are (or in Linda's case, were) indeed. Any other comedians come to mind?

Quote: Tribale @ 6th July 2020, 2:27 AM

Thanks....yep, they all are (or in Linda's case, were) indeed. Any other comedians come to mind?

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Johnny Vegas as well actually. He's best known for the PG Tips advert, but he's a great standup and comic actor.

It seems to me that most comedians nowadays are left-wing?

Diane Abbott?

It's subjective, in that Britain is left of America politically. I checked out Lee Camp to get a flavour. His first two clips where on Russian TV and his stand up show was labeled "Not allowed on America TV" and yet he was just complaining about Trump and the wars. I'm guessing Frankie Boyle and Nish Kumar would be further to the left. Also Eddy Izzard, but more so off stage and Russell Brand thinks he's Che Guevara (he's not).

It's been many a long year since I heard a comedian on TV espousing any form of right-wing ideology.

I think most people (comedians or otherwise) have always wanted a more egalitarian society.

So I suppose that makes most people left-wing, doesn't it?

On the other hand, a few people would like to be able to criticise members of minority groups when they deserve it - without being labelled "Nazis".

So I suppose that makes those people . . . er . . . Nazis.

Quote: Rood Eye @ 6th July 2020, 4:00 PM

It's been many a long year since I heard a comedian on TV espousing any form of right-wing ideology. I think most people (comedians or otherwise) have always wanted a more egalitarian society. So I suppose that makes most people left-wing, doesn't it? On the other hand, a few people would like to be able to criticise members of minority groups when they deserve it - without being labelled "Nazis". So I suppose that makes those people . . . er . . . Nazis.

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There's a tremendous difference politically between what Mark Thomas or Rob Newman do and what Jimmy Carr, Micheal McIntyre or Seinfeld do just for starters.

And as for not having seen a comedian espouse right wing views, have you not seen comedians like Roy Chubby Brown, Nick Di Paolo, Adam Corolla, Dominic Frisby, Drew Carey, Jeremy McClellan, Jim Davidson, Pat Condell, Dennis Miller, Norm MacDonald, Lee Hurst, Geoff Norcott, Simon Evans, Leo Kearse, Andrew Lawrence, John Sessions, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Chad Prather, Tim Allen etc?

And that's without considering the contingent of comedians like Bill Burr or Joe Rogan who regularly espouse right-wing talking points without being necessarily as consistently right-wing.

As I said, it's been many a long year since I saw Roy Chubby Brown or Jim Davidson on TV saying anything at all - never mind espousing right-wing ideologies.

John Sessions, unless I'm much mistaken, hasn't been doing much stand-up on TV in recent years.

As for the rest of the people you mention, most of them I've never heard of and the very few that I have heard of, again I haven't seen on TV in recent years espousing right-wing ideologies.

Maybe I'm watching the wrong channels?

I think your original post, Tribale, and jsg's initial follow-up, pretty much complete the list of British comics whose material is particularly pushing a socialist agenda. Most are, as has been said, left-wing, and will refer to their individual ideologies in different ways through their act, but I think that's pretty much everyone for whom it is their act, which I think is what you were asking.

If you don't already, it'd be worthwhile checking out some Radio 4 topical news programmes and exploring anyone from those that you like the sound of.

Quote: Will Cam @ 6th July 2020, 9:06 AM

It seems to me that most comedians nowadays are left-wing?

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Agreed.

Quote: Aaron @ 6th July 2020, 8:39 PM

I think your original post, Tribale, and jsg's initial follow-up, pretty much complete the list of British comics whose material is particularly pushing a socialist agenda. Most are, as has been said, left-wing, and will refer to their individual ideologies in different ways through their act, but I think that's pretty much everyone for whom it is their act, which I think is what you were asking.

If you don't already, it'd be worthwhile checking out some Radio 4 topical news programmes and exploring anyone from those that you like the sound of.

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Thanks Aaron...if any other comedians or places to look should happen to come to mind, please let me know

Ben Elton started as left wing, Thatcher bashing but I think he swings both ways now. He should remember this old adage:

"Stand at the kerb of capital,

Striving not to be misled,

Do not look to the left or right,

Keep your vision straight ahead."

Quote: Will Cam @ 6th July 2020, 9:06 AM

It seems to me that most comedians nowadays are left-wing?

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It's easier that way. Say 'Trump's a dick' and you get a round of applause. Try a witty, insightful analysis of Trump's actual policies and you get booed off stage.

Quote: john tregorran @ 6th July 2020, 9:51 PM

Ben Elton started as left wing, Thatcher bashing but I think he swings both ways now.

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It's fascinating that when Elton and Lloyd Webber collaborated, Ben was demolished for selling out but Andrew was praised for being broad minded. I'm a leftie and quite honestly I think we're more bigoted than right wingers.