Ben Stiller says comedy is in a tough spot under Donald Trump’s second term
His comments follow a recent controversy involving 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' The late-night show was briefly suspended by Disney after a remark made by host Jimmy Kimmel.
Hollywood actor and director Ben Stiller believes that the rise of social media has made it harder for comedy films to survive. The 59-year-old star, known for classics like ‘There’s Something About Mary’ and ‘Zoolander’, feels that online reactions have made both filmmakers and studios too cautious to take creative risks.
In a recent interview with ‘The Times’, Stiller said that the instant feedback loop created by platforms like Twitter has changed how people react to jokes or controversial moments in films. “There are landmines everywhere. Twitter changed everything. It took off in 2009 and offers an immediate response,” he said.
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The actor recalled one particular controversy involving ‘Tropic Thunder’, the 2008 action-comedy he directed and starred in. The film included a spoof movie within it, called ‘Simple Jack’, where the title character had learning disabilities. Though it was meant as satire, some people found it offensive.
“We had issues on ‘Tropic Thunder’ with Simple Jack,” Stiller explained. “It wasn’t a Twitter storm back then. Everything didn’t blow up overnight. But now, instant reactivity can suddenly kill something before it even gets a chance to breathe.”
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According to Ben Stiller, this new environment of “immediate outrage” has made both comedians and studios more hesitant. He said, “Yes, you’re more trepidatious, and there’s no denying that the environment is more volatile. But when studios keep saying no, creatives will stop trying. They’ll just start making things that they think will get made. And that’s awful.”
He believes the obsession with massive box-office hits has also hurt the comedy genre. “Studios are trying to create movies that will make a billion dollars,” he said. “But comedy doesn’t work that way. People either laugh or they don’t. It’s simple, but it’s tough.”
The ‘Night at the Museum’ star also opened up about his latest project, a personal documentary titled ‘Stiller and Meara: Nothing Is Lost’. The film celebrates his late parents, beloved comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
“I just had to make something for my parents,” he said emotionally. “My dad died during Covid, so there was no memorial for him. When my mum died five years earlier, we did an event on Broadway. I felt pressure to do something for both of them.”
Ben, who grew up surrounded by comedy legends, said his parents’ passion for performing left a strong impression on him. However, he admits that their busy careers kept them away at times, a pattern he later saw in himself.
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