Stephen Merchant, co-creator of “The Office,” recently commented on the ongoing cancel culture debate, particularly its impact on comedy. In an interview with The Guardian, Merchant, 49, noted that while policing of comedy has always existed, the enforcers have shifted from the political right to the left. He expressed that this shift has made comedians more cautious about their work to avoid backlash on social media.

Merchant acknowledged the evolving nature of societal sensitivities and stated that people are entitled to critique and question comedy. He emphasized that while sensitivity can sometimes constrain comedic experimentation, it’s important to recognize changes in audience perceptions over time.

Other comedians, including Ricky Gervais, John Cleese, and Jerry Seinfeld, have also expressed concerns about how cancel culture affects their ability to perform satire and address controversial topics. Gervais, for instance, faced criticism for a joke in his Netflix special “Armageddon” and defended his work by questioning the validity of the offense taken by critics.

More broadly, the discussion highlights tensions in the comedy world about balancing creative freedom with the evolving expectations and sensitivities of modern audiences.