Jay Roach on woke culture killing comedy: There's no serious limitation on being funny

"Bombshell" director Jay Roach does not believe that woke culture has come in the way of making successful comedies.

Earlier this year, "Joker" director Todd Phillips, known for blockbuster comedies including "The Hangover" series, said he quit the genre as "woke culture" had made it impossible to make comedy films.

In an interview with PTI, Roach, who has helmed global comedy hits including the "Austin Powers" films and "Meet the Parents", said good humour always finds an audience.

"I don't agree that it's somehow making comedies impossible because of the new questions in our culture," Roach said.

"There are so many great examples, especially on TV lately, starting from 'Bridesmaids' to incredible shows like 'Veep' and one of my new favourites, 'Fleabag'. We evolve and the things that need to be talked about or made fun of (also) evolve," he added.

The director, whose latest film "Bombshell" is based on the accounts of several women at Fox News who set out to expose CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, believes one has to find new topics for comedy.

"I don't see that there's any serious limitation on being funny. I just think you have to evolve with the time and figure out what the issues are."
"Maybe women are at the forefront in the comedies I listed because some of what needs to be made fun of are male-centric cultural status quo, even in comedy. 'Fleabag' is so incredibly good, it's so funny. These shows prove that comedy isn't dead."
The director said he would like to figure out a way to make comedies a "must see in theatre events."
"To somehow make going back to the theatre and laughing your head off with strangers in a big giant room... To make a spectacle, a cinematic kind of comedy, with big comic set pieces, whatever it takes so that you're not just comfortable at home and watching."
"I do think it's possible. I don't know what form it will take, but I very much want to find that project that somehow earns a big theatrical audience."