Even comedy isn’t safe from social media

NO GROUP of people comes off worse in the social media age than comedians, which is why the BBC’s new “challenging” political comedy show with Frankie Boyle fills me with dread. In the past decade, comedians have become noticeably more partisan and ideological — it’s a humour-killer and mind-melter. Twitter has destroyed more comedy careers than depression and alcohol combined.

Comedy is about accepting the world’s imperfections but it should also make you uncomfortable with yourself, rather than mocking the out group. That’s why so much of the Daily Show style of partisan baiting sounds so tired; like people in theatres laughing at their own cleverness for getting the joke.