Comedian Stewart Lee on why he won't tour Trump's America

Comedian Stewart Lee on why he won't tour Trump's America

Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy · 2025-05-08
40:32

Once described as the 'comedian's comedian' Stewart Lee has been performing stand up since 1988.

He is known for pushing boundaries with his intelligent, self-referential and often provocative style of comedy but in his new show 'Stewart Lee vs the Man Wulf' he questions his place on the comedy circuit in an era of increasing populism rhetoric and the popularity of, in his words “$60m Netflix comedians of hate.”

In this episode of Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy he discusses the state of comedy today and what he thinks of the comedy style of comics like Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle as well as why he wouldn't tour America right now.

As The Observer, the world's oldest Sunday newspaper begins a new era under Tortoise media he also reflects on his column for the paper which he's stopped after 15 years.

Produced by Holly Snelling and Sachin Croker

Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

How can you change the world? Join Krishnan Guru-Murthy and his guest of the week as they explore the big ideas influencing how we think, act and live.

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