Comedian Jay Leno commends former NFL star Tom Brady for his sportsmanship during his recent Netflix roast, highlighting the importance of resilience in the face of comedic jabs.
Legendary comedian Jay Leno has praised former NFL star Tom Brady for his ability to handle the barrage of jokes thrown his way during his recent Netflix roast. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Leno applauded Brady's good humor and resilience, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of comedy.
"GROAT: The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady," featuring a star-studded cast of comedians, sparked renewed discussions about cancel culture and the boundaries of humor. However, Leno maintains that when it comes to comedy, if it's genuinely funny, societal norms should take a backseat.
"Again, if it's really funny, all bets are off," Leno said. "See, the trouble is only when it's inappropriate and not funny. Then people [go], 'Oh, now I'm offended! I'm offended because A. It's not funny because it's inappropriate.' Then they'll go, 'It's inappropriate, but it's really funny!'"
Specifically addressing the Brady roast, Leno singled out comedian Nikki Glaser for her standout performance. "She killed me. She was really funny. A lot of people might say it's inappropriate, but if it's really funny, it makes it OK."
Reflecting on his own career, Leno acknowledges that comedians must adapt to the changing societal landscape to remain relevant. "I'm not a big roast person, it's not something I do, but it's just a different kind of comedy, and it's fine, it's good."
Leno has previously spoken about the need to adjust material based on the audience, even if it means sacrificing certain jokes. "When I do a gig in Utah, and they'll go, 'Look, we don't want any drug jokes, we don't want any sex jokes. I go, 'OK, I'll take those out,' and I do something else," he said.
In an era marked by heightened sensitivity, Leno believes that the key is to carefully navigate the line between humor and offense. "With the #MeToo movement, all of a sudden, the sexist jokes everybody used to do, you can't do anymore. So you either change with the times or you die. You adapt to the circumstances."
While acknowledging past criticisms regarding jokes about Asian culture, Leno has since issued an apology and expressed his willingness to learn from his mistakes. "If I see somebody who's really hurt by something I did, that's not my job," he said. "The idea is to get them to laugh."
Leno's philosophy aligns with his belief that comedy, at its core, remains timeless. "Comedy hasn't changed. It's exactly the same thing. It doesn't change. Things come in and out," he said, comparing comedy to the enduring humor of Buster Keaton's physical comedy.
As society continues to evolve, so too must the art of comedy. Leno's ability to navigate the complexities of modern humor, while maintaining his commitment to eliciting laughter, serves as a testament to his staying power as a comedic icon.
