All articles tagged with #cancel culture
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy says free speech should come with accountability: you can be criticized for offensive remarks, but there’s a line between holding someone to account and dredging up years of dirt to smear them. He argues that politicians are a different case and even floated a potential run against NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani while promoting his new book Cancel Me If You Can.
Louis C.K. re-enters mainstream comedy with the Netflix special Ridiculous, his first major stand-up since #MeToo; the piece argues he hasn’t truly changed—delivering sharp, provocative humor with a gleeful amoral edge and little acknowledgement of past misconduct—while noting his profitability and ongoing touring make a full redemption unlikely, even as some fans and critics debate what accountability should look like.
François Arnaud’s earlier quip about Hudson Williams has resurfaced as new controversy erupts over throwback high school images; friends say the markings don’t reflect Williams’ beliefs, while fans debate cancel culture and the Heated Rivalry dynamics.
Megyn Kelly weighed in on Donald Trump’s calls to fire Jimmy Kimmel, arguing that while the comedian’s joke wasn’t especially funny, free speech should be defended and that ABC/Disney’s cancel-culture standards shouldn’t silence political voices; she criticized Trump for pressuring a private employer over speech and noted that public reaction to the feud is mixed.
An opinion piece arguing that canceling Jimmy Kimmel over a pre-incident joke would miss the bigger issue: a 2020s culture in which violent rhetoric and demonization come from both sides and are amplified by media and entertainment. It cautions against censorship as Orwellian, urges more responsible speech and personal accountability, and suggests unity and calmer discourse as the path forward.
Jonah Hill’s Outcome frames a world‑famous actor’s fear of cancellation, with Keanu Reeves as Reef Hawk and Hill directing, co‑writing, and co‑starring as the crisis attorney guiding him through an apology tour. The piece traces Hill’s career arc from early comedic stardom to directing Mid90s, his Netflix doc Stutz, and ongoing real‑life controversies, suggesting the film’s ensemble—Diaz, Bomer, Susan Lucci, Scorsese—delivers sharp performances in an 83‑minute ride. Yet while Outcome probes fame and public judgment, its central argument about cancel culture feels muddled amid Hill’s own public narrative.
A Netflix shark-disaster Thrash, an Apple TV drama Outcome about Hollywood cancel culture, Halle Bailey rom‑com You, Me & Tuscany, and Neon’s Exit 8 are reviewed together: Thrash is hamstrung by tonal indecision and cheap effects despite a high-concept setup; Outcome flirts with insightful critique of fame but stays surface-level and self-involved; You, Me & Tuscany aims for buoyant rom‑com energy but is visually dull and overreliant on clichés; Exit 8 builds a calm, game-like atmosphere through repetitious hallways, yet its pacing becomes tedious. The piece paints a mixed picture of ambitious premises that struggle to cohere into satisfying entertainment.
Kanye West’s return has sparked a global split: the U.K. quickly moved to cancel his Wireless Festival slot over antisemitism concerns, while in the U.S. his Bully era shows drew big crowds and cautious optimism. Critics warn his apology reads more like image rehabilitation and worry he remains a vessel for hate speech and political controversy, leaving unanswered questions about accountability and genuine change. With upcoming dates in India and elsewhere, the trajectory of his comeback remains uncertain and deeply polarized.
The piece argues cancel culture hasn’t kept Kanye West from a comeback: after a long history of inflammatory remarks and antisemitism, he issued a one-page apology and sold-out shows, drawing celebrity attendance and fan fervor, illustrating how public demand can outpace accountability and underscoring the need to protect marginalized communities even as West tours internationally.
Jonah Hill's Outcome tries to dissect cancel culture within a comeback drama but largely avoids a hard reckoning, while the piece also reviews You, Me & Tuscany, Exit 8, and Hamlet, noting a mix of ambition and flaws—from clunky visuals to uneven storytelling—across the slate.
Chris Pratt reportedly stood up for James Gunn when Gunn was fired by Marvel, telling executives that removing him was a mistake and rallying the Guardians cast to support him. The cast publicly expressed solidarity, the stance helped Gunn be rehired for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the Holiday Special, and Pratt credited Marvel/Disney leadership for the reversal, with Gunn later taking a leadership role at DCU.
Matt Damon told The Joe Rogan Experience that cancel culture sticks with celebrities for life and joked that some canceled actors would have preferred to serve an 18‑month jail sentence to ‘pay their debt’; he also addressed past controversies, stressed learning and justice, and noted his career remains active as he promotes Netflix’s The Rip and other projects.
Wanda Sykes discusses her comedy career, her views on political and social issues including Trump and cancel culture, her experiences hosting events like the Oscars, and her role in the final season of 'The Upshaws,' emphasizing her advocacy for free speech and her efforts supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
Luca Guadagnino's film 'After the Hunt' attempts to explore cancel culture and complex moral gray areas within academia, but it ultimately fails to provide meaningful insight, instead presenting a muddled and heavy-handed critique that leaves viewers questioning its purpose and message.
'After the Hunt' is a poorly executed #MeToo drama set among academic elites, criticized for its superficial social commentary, overuse of buzzwords, and lack of nuance, ultimately delivering a frustrating and offensive portrayal of campus politics and cancel culture.