(Pt 2) History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech

We continue with the literal trials of Lenny Bruce - and the nature of free speech in comedy clubs.

Does free speech mean that we occasionally have to listen to what we don’t want to hear?

We dive into the gamut of free speech from the controversy of Milo Yiannopoulos appearing at a NYC comedy club - to comedian Ahmed Ahmed having a comedy club patron call 911 on him for making ‘Middle Eastern’ jokes.

Are there limits to Lenny Bruce’s plight?

History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech

Lenny Bruce was a comedian who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. And because of that, he became a martyr for free speech. Between 1961 to 1964, he was arrested on obscenity charges 8 times - for performing stand up comedy. You might have seen a fictional portrayal of Bruce on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

In this CH101 episode we dive into the history of Lenny Bruce, censorship, and free speech in stand up comedy.

(Pt1) CH101 Select: Comedy That Crosses The Line

On this episode of CH101, we explore the history of comedy that crosses the line. You know, the edggggy comedy. Sometimes it’s comedy that’s revolutionary and creates change, such as the comedy of George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. And sometimes, its comedy that goes too far - and is there just for shock value. (Michael Richards - we are talking to you.)

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