Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble

by Judy Gold

"No one makes me laugh harder than Judy Gold. If I had to pick one comedian to write a book about free speech, it would be Judy." – Amy Schumer From award-winning comedian Judy Gold, an equal parts thoughtful and hilarious polemic on the current efforts to censor comedians, arguing that they undermine the art—and purpose—of comedy itself. “You can say anything that comes to mind as long as it is funny.” — Richard Pryor The fallout after Michelle Wolf’s roast at the 2018 White House Correspondent’s Dinner, Samantha Bee’s forced apology after calling Ivanka Trump a “feckless c*nt,” Kathy Griffin’s being “blacklisted” from Hollywood after posting a photo with what looked like the president’s severed head, all represent a dangerous and growing trend—to censor comedians. In Yes I Can Say That , comedy veteran Judy Gold argues that "no one has the right to tell comics what they can or cannot joke about…. Laughter is a unifier. It's the best medicine. It's also the most palatable way to bring up seditious, subversive topics.” For Gold, nothing is more insidious than enforcing silence and repressing jokes—the job of a comedian is to expose society's demons, and confront them head-on, no prisoners allowed. In ten impassioned polemics, she frames comedy as a tool of empowerment, a way to reclaim hateful rhetoric and battle the democracy-crushing plight of censorship. Uninhibited and bold, Gold is as skilled at making readers laugh as she is at exposing uncomfortable truths about our culture and society. In this era of partisan politics and gaping inequalities, Yes I Can Say That is the refreshingly candid, wickedly funny and deliciously blunt manifesto we need. 

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy, Politics, Audiobook, History, Essays

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2020

Reviews

[Katie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Political correctness and cancel culture are phrases that have popped up quite a bit in recent years. I think it is fair to say opinions vary when it comes to the topic of free speech. In this book, comedian Judy Gold talks about the dangers of suppressing comedic voices.

Judy Gold makes a living telling jokes so it was interesting to hear her perspective. She does a fairly good job articulating her thoughts on the value of free speech when it comes to comedy. Whether or not you agree with her, I think you can at least understand where she is coming from. With so many late night comics and other comedians issuing apologies lately for things they have said or done, it's a very relevant topic.

Now unfortunately this was not an engrossing read for me. It was one in which I would read a chapter or two, and then set down for awhile. I think your level of interest in the topic of free speech has to be fairly high in order to get the most out of this book. I wish the author would have found a better balance between the critical thinking and humor, as I wanted to laugh more while reading. Comedy is subjective though, so maybe other readers will get more out of the humor than I did. I do feel like I gained some valuable insight though so the book earned its placement in the decent read category.

I won a free advance copy of this book from HarperCollins but was not obligated to post a review.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook, it's been ages since I've been to a comedy show, felt great to laugh! Wonderful walk down memory lane, touching on so many comedic greats, but the thrust is about censorship and with dictatorship on the rise the timing was perfect.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because the whole freedom of speech thing (something we don't actually have in the UK, as much as people think we do) has never been more threatened on a world-wide scale than it is right now.

I had never heard of Judy Gold before, and so wasn't familiar with her style of comedy, and had no idea what to expect from this. I guess "angry rant comedy" is how I would describe it (the master of which is Dennis Leary, IMO. His No cure for Cancer show sets out to insult absolutely everybody, and is absolutely hilarious with it.).

I had no real problems with the material in the book, except for the fact that, especially the political parts, are very, very American. This is only to be expected, as she's an American stand-up commenting on what she sees happening around her, but as someone living in the UK, with only a basic overview of American politics (I know the names of the players and some of the really big stuff, but otherwise, unless it happened on The West Wing, I'm fuzzy on the details of most day-to-day American Politics) a lot of the content misses because I have no clue what she's talking about.
I also don't watch talk shows (except for the occasional episode of Graham Norton, because...), which accounts for another gap in "getting" some of the jokes/points she makes here.

I think it opens very strongly, and I really enjoyed the segments where she talks about some of the great stand-ups (Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, etc), but overall the message gets a little confusing after a while. It could be that I'm just missing something because I didn't get so many references, but the basic idea seemed to come down to: Freedom of speech is an unassailable right, but only if you're funny.

[Colleen Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, and I did with reservations. Judy Gold gives a great discussion regarding the history of the censorship of standup comedians as well as the ins and outs of the profession. She reviews the careers of many of the greats. I enjoyed remembering them and reading so many jokes, those that worked and those that didn't. She proposes guidelines for making great comedy without crossing the line, always a delicate balancing act. In this day of heightened awareness of what is PC, comedians have a difficult task. I did not like her extended vitriolic rants about Trump. I agreed with her, yet I doubt that anyone who likes him would read this book anyway. She is preaching to the choir and I thought it detracted from her main objective.

[J.S. Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book has very good points about the ridiculousness of political correctness today, there was a lot more hypocritical writing than the common sense needed in our culture today of “if you don’t like it, turn the channel.”
There were more instances of “those of a specific race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, political party, are all completely evil.” (Said in all seriousness, not as a joke) than there were funny passages, realizations that we are all humans & therefore valid & let’s all just laugh together because we’ve all got both good & bad aspects.

serious respect to her for the courage to speak her mind regardless of the PC police & inevitable social media keyboard warrior backlash.

[Kostas Kanellopoulos · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I free speech absolutist I think Judy Gold should stop tolerating woke culture more. Americans just can't understand Charlie Hebdo

[Kevin Shoop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and very necessary book! Thank you Judy Gold! The title is provocative, but it is NOT repeat NOT about defending her right to say the "n" word. Rather, it's about the principles and importance of free speech and the power of comedy to satirize and to make us laugh. Too often, especially in very divisive times, we are unwilling to hear voices that challenge us "from the center." That is, a person on the right is more willing to hear a critique from the right (you need to be more conservative!) and same on the left (you need to be more liberal!). Rarely are we willing to be critiqued in the opposite way. Judy is no "centrist," but she challenges the current progressive-based cancel culture with convincing, nuanced and (most importantly) hilarious arguments. But this is no diatribe against the Left either. She spends plenty of time lambasting the intolerant right, especially the maga king himself.

[Christa Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess librarians should all enjoy this book, the premise is that censoring comedians will lead to a lot worse. Gold makes a good case. If you can't laugh at it, you can't really understand and deal with it. She is quite funny herself but the best parts are when she gets mad about something. It was lovely hearing her narrate her own book.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's just sad that we need a book like this. But here we are...

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy Gold’s book is about the importance of comedians in society. Now, that might sound a little pretentious but she is absolutely right - comedy is about free speech and free speech is so important that it is mentioned in the very first amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Let’s take a moment and review exactly what our country’s founding document says: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech....”

Abridging the freedom of speech? Isn’t abridging what Reader’s Digest does to books? Abridging means shortening while keeping the initial meaning. Ah, but this is political speak and politicians and lawyers (often one and the same) do not use words in the same way as the general public. In this regard, abridging means diminishing or reducing in scope. In other words, the first amendment is about censorship.

Judy begins her book with a quote from Eddie Sarfaty, “Going to a comedy club and expecting not to be offended is like going on a roller coaster and expecting not to get scared.” Comedians make fun of things. Their targets can be people, places, things or ideas. They can be light hearted, inane, or they can be deadly serious - as long as the material makes us laugh. And they definitely can be offensive.

Gold’s book is about the importance of making fun of things; of looking at life from different angles and learning to laugh at yourself. But there have always been people who do not think laughing about things is a good idea. In the movie, The Name of the Rose (staring Sean Connery) we learn that clergy in the middle ages were anti-comedy because, if the peasants learned to laugh, they might laugh at the priests. Is this an out of date idea? Well, last year a University of Minnesota student was sentenced to prison in China for tweeting cartoons making fun of President Xi Jingping. The powers that be have always been afraid of comedy and, that alone, makes comedy free of censorship very, very important.

Gold points out that with the internet, comedians are being attacked and censored more now than ever before. Certain people want them to be “politically correct” but that is exactly what comedians never have been. The phrase "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" comes to mind. BTW - Voltaire did not say this, Evelyn Beatrice Hall said it in her book about Voltaire as a way to summarize Voltaire’s thinking.

Gold has a lot of important things to say in this book. She also includes a lot of very funny bits by a wide range of comics. While I think that her message could have been clearer and more succinct (something I have never been accused of being), the importance of her message definitely comes through. This book addresses some very important points and is well worth reading.

[Denise Pietrzyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ Some validity in her argument and I don't envy being a comedian these days but the "just grow up, stop getting your feelings hurt" tone of it all was a bit simplifying. I appreciated a brief history on how comedy has changed and the nature of censorship with it but I'll still stand by the fact that words have power, they have history and some will always be wrong despite the context and intention.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Censoring comedians during a time of hyper-political correctness is a serious topic, but two-time Emmy Award-winning standup comedian Judy Gold ("25 Questions for a Jewish Mother") tackles the subject with insight, reason and laughs on every page. In YES, I CAN SAY THAT, Gold offers an illuminating history of how censorship of comedians has been around for decades, and has only increased in recent years. Some censorship landmarks discussed include Lenny Bruce's on-stage arrests; Howard Stern's battles with the FCC; CBS's cancellation of the top-rated Smothers Brothers variety TV show; and Kathy Griffin's death threats, FBI investigation and being placed on a no-fly list because she held a Trump mask doused with ketchup. Gold quotes Jon Stewart: "I don't understand why in this country we try to hold comedians to a higher standard we do not hold leaders to."

"The best comedy lives on the edge of what's acceptable," Gold writes. "Jokes are nourished by tension; laughter is a release." Her compelling, well-researched and hilarious book on the freedom of speech from a comedian's perspective offers her an opportunity to spotlight numerous comedians' funniest and most biting material.

Gold's four decades as a standup comedian gives readers an insider's perspective on the industry, the clubs, the audience and other comics. She calls Joan Rivers "the funniest and most fearless of women," while Bill Cosby is "a hypocritical and arrogant rapist prick." Her chapter on beloved-then-reviled comedians like Cosby, Louis C.K. and Roseanne is thoughtful and original. YES, I CAN SAY THAT is a hilarious showcase for edgy comedians and a thoughtful look at standup comedy and the First Amendment.

Judy Gold's decades as a standup comic give her authority and insight to tackle the subject of censorship on stage and spotlights hilarious material by edgy comics at their best.

[Becky Hartung · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is so much to unpack about the role comedians have in pushing society forward, but Gold lacks the nuance in her argument that is necessary for such a strong claim. Comedy, joke-telling, and laughter are all forms of communication and communication shifts and changes across generations, eras, and social norms. It didn’t feel as if Gold holds enough respect for the role of communication in culture which makes her tone was dismissive, harsh, and outdated. Gold defends a comedians’ ability to say whatever the fuck they want, but doesn’t seem to extend the same grace to the “snowflakes” who say what the fuck they want too. Gold is determined to convince you that a dominant crowd exists who only speak in trigger warnings and calling out micro-aggressions. Her inflammatory rhetoric and flippant dramatization sounds so familiar because you’ll hear the same generalization on a right-wing AM radio station. Gold fails to set up boundaries between the “snowflakes” and the actual racist comedians. She acknowledges that racists and misogynists exist in comedy, but how would we have determined that if there weren’t critics saying, “Hey, this is offensive?”

Gold highlights some important historical eras where comedians have told truth to power, but this didn’t seem like it was the main focus of the book which leaves it disorganized and disconnected from a main idea.

I was looking for a much more in-depth exploration of the role of censorship, comedy in society, criticism of comedy, and a path forward for the new world. Instead, Gold seems to suggest that if you don’t think a person is funny that is YOUR problem, not theirs. Sometimes it is their problem, but only when it’s the ACTUAL problematic comedians—the ones we don’t know how to determine, because Gold just wants us to “take the fucking joke.”

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points about the power of humor and its influence on society. Gold discusses how we generally need to become less offended, and sometimes we need to address the elephant in the room in order to cope with tough situations. This sort of "dark humor" can be beneficial in processing. When it comes to limits on what is okay and not okay to joke about, Gold replies, "As long as it's funny." But of course this is up to interpretation. I do not always interpret humor the same way as Gold does, as the adult content in certain parts was not my cup of tea. But the essay “Lighten the F*** Up” was solid, if you can pardon Gold's French. I also appreciated the final chapter on the danger of social media in ruining a comic's career. Gold explains how it only takes one joke taken out of context, or one statement that offends someone, to derail a comedian's career. This certainly seems to apply to much that gets posted on social media, and I agree that this "one strike and you're out" policy can jeopardize free speech. And it leaves me to concur with Gold that "I [may] disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

[Ronald J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad a comedian finally addressed this issue, and did it in a serious, but still amusing style. There is a lot of good history here of various groundbreaking comedians (Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, etc.). Gold points out that the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” is derived from the book of Proverbs. She writes: “Comedy is the most palatable way to acknowledge the universality of our idiosyncrasies, eccentricities, and shortcomings. The best comedy lives on the edge of what’s acceptable. Jokes are nourished by tension; laughter is a release.” So true. As John Cleese said, “All humor is critical” (one chapter title: “It’s Not Funny Until the Fat Lady Cries”). But in these days of political correctness run amok, if you say anything that offends, you could find yourself cancelled—by the left side of the spectrum. Gold provides many examples of this. After providing the dictionary definition of a “microagression,” Gold adds: “Expanded to feel insulted, invisible, or uncomfortable. Excuses for crybabies to make mountains out of molehills.” As Fran Lebowitz once said, “Being offended is a natural consequence of leaving the house.” A small number of comedians could get away insulting the audience, Don Rickles, Jeff Ross, Joan Rivers, Robert Smigel, gifted with a quality that Gold’s friend Eddie Sarfaty calls “the caustic warmth.” Gold would know, she’s Jewish, a lesbian, and six foot two. This is one of her most powerful points:

“I play the victim, and when you choose to play the victim, you can pretty much blame everyone and everything else for all the bad things that happen to you. It’s a really destructive and unhealthy way of thinking, Who the fuck are we protecting by forbidding words and ideas? I think the saddest part is that it’s coming from the left. The right doesn’t give two shits if you’re insulted by their beliefs or rhetoric, but the left acts like an exposed nerve. They’ve become the PC police, and they should know better—they’re supposed to be the smarter party.”

This book expresses what I’ve been thinking for a long time: comedians are the canary in the coal mine of a culture, and if we lose the right to laugh, to criticize, to say edgy things, we lose our liberty. Just look at the USSR, China, North Korea, among others, that will put you in jail for cracking a joke against the government, or its leaders. As she writes: [Comedy is a] “shield to deflect anger, judgment, and hate. I can’t think of anything worse than a world without laughter. …If there’s anything so horrible you can’t joke about it, pray you never find out what it is.” And quoting Oscar Wilde: “It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously.” There’s also no redemption with Political Correctness.

She tells the story of comedian Ahmed Ahmed, born in Helwan, Egypt: “He was working at Off The Hook Comedy Club in Naples, Florida. Ahmed opened his set by asking, ‘How many Middle Eastern people do we have in the audience? Clap if you’re from the Middle East.’ ‘All right. We’ve got a handful of us in here, nice. But hey, it only takes one of us [pause] to tell a joke. But seriously, lock the doors.’ Some idiot called 911 and actually asked the operator, ‘Is that something that, ah, should not be said?’ “Ahmed was a true gentleman through all of this. He took advantage of the press he was getting, ‘Terrorists don’t do meet and greets! We don’t say, ‘Death to America!’ and then, ‘But wait, let’s do selfies first.’” Gold’s final point sums up nicely where we are today:

“Laughter is an integral part of a happy and fulfilling life. Look on any dating site and you’ll see I’m right. The most important attribute when seeking a potential mate: a sense of humor. To my fellow comedians, I say, ‘We need to stop apologizing unnecessarily.’ When it comes to freedom, we’re canaries in the coal mine. Attacking us distracts from more important issues. Stop attacking the people whose only goal in life is to make you laugh. We’re not the enemy.” This is a smart, funny, and poignant book, and it’s great to see comedians pushing back on the PC and cancel culture nonsense.

Some of my favorite jokes Gold cites:

“In Jewish faith, when does a fetus become a human being? When it graduates medical school. What do Jewish women make for dinner? Reservations.”

Richard Lewis: “I’ve always been a hypochondriac. As a little boy, I’d eat my M&M’s one by one with a glass of water.”

Dick Gregory: “I need to take my act to Mobile like Custer needed more Indians. Like the Rev. Martin Luther King needs a convention of dime-store managers. I won’t even work the southern part of this room.”

Mort Sahl, political satirist: “I’m for capital punishment. You’ve got to execute people. How else are they going to learn?”

“Those who learn nothing from history are condemned to rewrite it.”

“Comedian Pat Paulsen made his first run at the Oval Office in 1968, representing the S.T.A.G. (Straight Talking American Government) Party. ‘Will I solve our civil rights problems? Will I unite this country and bring it forward? Will I obliterate the national debt? Sure, why not?’”

Will Rogers: “Everything is changing. Now people are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke, when it used to be vice versa.”

Mark Twain: “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”

Ted Alexandro: “Have you ever been in church, preacher’s preaching, choir’s singing, you look up at the crucifix and think, ‘Wow . . . Jesus had great abs’? Because he was cut, could have had his own workout videos, like Abs of a Savior, Body of Christ, Cross Training. Because that’s what you want in a savior. You want him to be in shape. Because have you seen Buddha? Sloppy! Sloppy, sloppy, slopp-ola. A few crunches, Budd! Clean it up. The last supper shouldn’t last forever.”

Sarah Silverman: “You know what Facebook is? Munchausen syndrome. allow people to portray a perfect life that, sadly, they’re not living.”

[Zach Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and relevant read about comedy and audiences taking offense at comedy over the decades. Great recap of a lot of comedy history and some commentary on the present moment.

[Chaitra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a frustrating book. I put this on my TBR in 2020 when it came out, because it seemed like a relevant topic. The topic is still relevant but the book is so sloppy.

I don't get it. She says at one point that she can't understand people who laugh at videos that show someone falling off a bike/running into doors etc., because she says she can't understand people who find other people's pain funny. But then she speaks disapprovingly of snowflakes who face micro aggressions and call these out; approvingly of Joan Rivers who milked Liz Taylor fat jokes and Gottfried who made the Japanese tsunami jokes the day after it hit - is only physical suffering pain? What kind of shallow ass thinking is that? But she also argues that constant bullying in her young age made her develop thick skin (debatable) and a sense of humor so I don't know. I was constantly criticized when younger because I was darker than my peers and I was short, and I learned to pretend it didn't bother me but I can't say that my self esteem didn't take a hit that took decades to recover. It didn't make me develop a sense of humor when the target is only me and I only have a facade of thick skin. I kind of resent that she would speak for those of us who have faced bullying and reacted differently.

She argues for no consequences for comedians on the basis of them being comedians basically. Which is a horrendous argument and to her credit she tones it down when it comes to Cosby. But only Cosby though, only for convicted rape. She goes to bat for Louis CK and her only argument against him is that he didn't apologize well enough and when he went on his comeback tour he didn't acknowledge his elephant in the room. She doesn't really talk about his accusers so it's just about him - like he committed some victimless crime. He might not be Cosby but he's not Kathy Griffin or (let it not be said I'm one sided) Roseanne Barr. They made failed jokes, he's a pervert. Why him? There are comedians aplenty who aren't perverts, why support the one who is? She mentions Kevin Hart who got canceled from the Oscars show as someone who deserved a second chance even though he had made reprehensible homophobic comments not that long ago. She also mentions how the gay men she knew were happy that he didn't get to host it as the comments were harmful to them, but she thought he was a model of someone who could learn and grow etc. But why him? There are so many good comedians who never made those comments in the first place, why not reward constant human decency?

The thing that she's really arguing against is cancel culture and how the younger generation has no humor and that is cramping the comedian's style in this age of social media etc. While I absolutely agree that social media tends to knee jerk overreactions, I have also noticed that people who have to lie low for a bit after backlash also tend to come back far more easily than before social media. And some of them never go away - as a terminally online person, I have noticed that everyone whining that they've been canceled are doing so loudly and on every platform that they can get. And why not treat the younger generation as a tough audience that you have to win over. Not everyone shares the same sense of humor and sometimes a whole generation doesn't think you're funny if you're doing rape or gay jokes.

The only time I wasn't contentiously engaged with the book was when reading excerpts of past comedians' comedy bits. It's a good topic that needs a book but I'll leave this with an echo of Joan Rivers on Fredericka Whitford: maybe she just wasn't the right person to write it.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foreword, Conclusion and 11 essays on comedians, comedy and freedom of speech. One of my reading goals of 2020 was to read more women, nonfiction, essays. There's a bit of comedy history and some memoir / bio bits. This one checked some boxes. It was a slow read for me as I was reading several books at the time. Ms Gold addresses several comedy faux pas in recent memory, i.e., Michelle Wolf, Samantha Bee, Kathy Griffin. It's interesting to read her perspective as a professional comedian and social commentator. Love she dropped comedians, past and present day, and their comedic gems throughout the book. Humor is subjective and it's a tough road to travel today with thin-skinned, over-sensitive, politically correct critics … audience members. "In our pluralistic society, pretty much everyone's an outsider, whether because of their race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, size, political leanings, mental or physical capabilities, age, trauma, family history or combination thereof." That's today's comedian's audience. Tough crowd. Early in book she writes "Jokes are nourished by tension; laughter is a release." I think nourish is an interesting word choice. Right, wrong? Not sure. She later writes … "Bad comics do, indeed, make it harder for the rest of us … . Substituting shock for humor, bullying people, denigrating women and minorities, inciting hatred … ." I think some of her examples of censored comics are guilty of some of these things. Making freedom of speech a very slippery slope. I marked tons more thought provoking comments. I think it's a must read for a fan of comedy, freedom of speech, and good writing.

I was lucky enough to win a copy of Yes, I Can Say That from Dey Street Books / Harper Collins, but I didn't let that alter my review. A good read.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughter may be a medicine induced by comedians. But medicine is not always sweet, often it may be bitter. At least that is one of the conclusions Judy Gold came to while growing to be taller than everyone in her family. And that is part of why she became a stand-up comic. At least as a comedian, she could be in charge while on stage.

Judy Gold in Yes, I Can Say That explores why she became a stand-up comic providing the reader insight into her thought process and family history. She also spends time discussing what to expect when going to a comedy club. As one chapter heading mentions, you are likely to be insulted or offended while there, but is that not the reason you went? And context is everything! If you have to explain a joke, it is no longer funny. And the comedian is not necessarily the same as her/his stage act. So be warned when reading this book, you are likely to be offended once or twice.

And then you get to politics. All sorts of politics - academic, national/state, and other hot-button issues. And the poor comics. Everyone picks on them. So why do so many people have issues with jokes? Are they so insecure that words disturb them enough that they try to silence the speaker? This goes for right, left, center, and #MeToo as well. And then the politicians get into the act of trying to regulate what can be a joke. Well, if a politician can't stand being laughed at, maybe they should get off the stage.

So while I may not agree with everything Judy Gold says (although you could do worse than looking her up on YouTube), I do agree with her that she has the right to say that!

[Steve Sabo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I agree in principle with a lot of what she writes in here, and Judy Gold is actually a fine writer. The problem is that this book ends up being mostly a giant anti-Trump rant which instantly makes it cringe-worthy. Page after page after page of blaming the former president for the hate that is in this world. I feel like we have all had our fill with that rhetoric at this point. She acknowledges that it is the left who is trying to stifle free speech and it is refreshing to hear someone who is clearly incredibly liberal (and proudly so) admit such truths. I think it is actually quite progressive to not agree with everything that you political allies do. But Trump didn't start the hate-- his enemies did. And even if he did-- be better than that. Get over it. Dwelling on the past in such an overwhelming way just seems really sad. I am not pro-Trump, I am anti-bullshit. I am a Democrat but not far left. I simply don't think that demonizing half of America because of their political standings is a way to reach understanding or agreement. The book is about why comics should be allowed to say whatever they want, and why YOU have a right to listen, or change the channel. I agree with that whole-heartedly. Stick to the message and you have a strong and worthwhile read. I enjoyed the history lesson and the jokes from some of comedy's best. Just despise the politics that are overwhelmingly present.

[David Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this was both enjoyable and thought provoking. Some of the best parts are her repeating bits from other comedians, but that's what happens when you quote legends in your field. I enjoy and mostly agree with the idea of people getting being too quick to be offended by what comedians say. I'm not personally sure I'd go as far as Gold seems to want to go with it. I think comedians, like anyone else should be allowed to say whatever they want, and society should be allowed to react to it however they feel appropriate. I certainly think comedians should be given more leeway in this area than most, considering their line of work, but I don't think if I was making the point I would have used Gilbert Gottfried tweeting about a deadly tsunami as an example. I'm certain I wouldn't have brought it up twice if I did as Gold chose to.

The book had an odd feel in that Gold seemed upset that people get so angry about things and used the word "triggered" a lot, but she sounded triggered about people getting triggered. None of this makes the book bad in any way, and if you like comedy, I think you'll enjoy it, and have plenty of thoughts about it. In fact, I think I'd pay to watch a book club discuss it.

[James P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile (and mildly self-indulgent) look at the strange and forbidding place once known as a nation built on the first amendment.

Yet, here we swim, afloat in a sea of political correctness, awash in hateful social media flotsam, bobbing on waves of misinformation and at the mercy of self-righteous (and extremely hypocritical) crewmates and self-appointed guardians of virtue.

Gold makes a convincing case for a vaccine to combat this deadly situation: Comedy.

As a stand-up, Gold feels the pressure to reign it in and she’s plenty peeved about it.

Throughout Yes, I Can Say That, she makes valid points, citing many brief comic bits and offering some history. Graciously, she pays tribute to the comedians who preceded her, for example Lenny Bruce (we need you, Lenny!) and, in particular, Joan Rivers.

These and other brave souls dared to speak truth to power. They pushed the boundaries, risking offending people along the way. So be it. Bring it on.

As the subtitle suggests, all of us suffer—along with the freedoms we profess to embrace—when everyone is required to just “play nice” and not offend anybody.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This needs to be talked about!
Comedians/Venues are often forced to "water down, sanitize & discard certain material to the detriment of the art of comedy."
We are holding comedians to higher standards than the highest level of office!

I've read MANY memoirs & especially those by comedians.
Comedians do not have an easy job. Audiences complain about being offended (don't go to a comedy show then!), comedians get heckled (kick those people out!) or harassed after their shows (or targeted by Homeland Security...I mean WTAF), they get ragged on for doing some of the same material (but you go to see bands playing the same songs!). It is so hard to break into the industry & hard to come up with even a solid 15 let alone an hour special.

Comedy helps heal. It makes people laugh because it is real & relatable. It teaches.

Comedians are the freaking best. Give them a break & let them do their thing.

[Bookgrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a funny & thoughtful look at the censorship of comics, and how this destroys the very purpose of comedy. Like when Gilbert Gottfried joked about the Fukushima nuclear disaster & was immediately fired by Aflac. When Kathy Griffin held up a Halloween mask with ketchup on it & became Public Enemy #1 (and to this day cannot answer her own phone). And of course we can go back to Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, the Smothers Brothers, etc. Judy really takes aim at the PC culture & holds no punches.
I really appreciate that this book was written by a comedian, not a journalist. Judy has been a stand-up comic since the 1980’s, and is friends (or knows) most of the comics named in the book, so her opinions are authentic af.
Since this is a no-holds barred book, do not read if you’re easily offended. Actually, I take that back. You should DEFINITELY read this if you’re easily offended. Maybe it’ll expand your mind a bit.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the free speech-focused books I've read, this was by far my favorite. It went beyond the typical arguments, instead focusing on the history of comedy, primarily women in comedy. I learned so much about early women comics who paved the way for the likes of Sarah Silverman and Maragaret Cho, and what those pioneers had to endure in order to earn women a seat at the table.

Yet, sadly, our thin-skinned environment is limiting that progress. While much of the blame lies with right-wingers ("So-called moral experts have NO sense of humor. It's wonderful that they're still deciding what's funny."), I love that Judy doesn't let the left off the hook ("Attempts at censorship are now coming from the so-called progressive left as well.").

I'm walking away with an even stronger appreciation and admiration of comics. If you pick one free speech-esque book to read, I suggest you make it this one.

[Penny Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, timely look at comedy and how important it is to a free press. Gold uses jokes and comedy bits as examples of political commentary, making for a book that is funny and thoughtful. One of the best chapters is on the importance of female comedians and their opinions on sexism and related issues, especially since there are still relatively few female stand-ups compared to male stand-ups. She includes some biographical information when relevant but this is more on the history of comedy and how comedians are often banned (from Lenny Bruce to Kathy Griffin) for their thoughts on politics. For fans of politics and stand-up comedy, this is a relatively quick but thoughtful read.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more likely to make you think about free speech than it is to make you laugh. It does have some funny moments, but its real goal is to defend the rights of comedians to speak freely and question the limits some would impose on speech.

While I think some of the examples Judy Gold uses are in very bad taste, freedom of speech is essential, and outside of incitements to violence or true slander, we're unwise when we let the government pick and choose what people can say. Similarly, the world of social media is damaging the exchange of ideas.

Is this the finest writing ever? No, but Judy Gold is a comedian, not a novelist. Overall, a good book.

[Chrystal Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, and the many well-selected quotes from other comics which were included to illustrate points.
And it does make great points.
It's astonishingly bright considering that it was written during the Dark Years, when censorship was on the rise with no end in sight, and thus the topic had to have been heavier than ever.
It was released / finished before the global pandemic, which has been a major blow for stand up comics and other live performers.
What am I trying to say?
I enjoyed it, and consider it a sort of miracle in light of its timing.
Worth reading, for some perspective if nothing else.
It made me laugh, and think.

[Daniel DeLappe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have liked to have given this a better score, but the sided political horse shit sunk the book to damn near unreadable. I get you hate Trump. So do eye. One mention would have served your story better. I another problem is the our side is smarter then the other. Thinking Hilary calling anyone deplorable is a good idea was when you lost me. The first amendment is an important subject. So why after reading this sloppily argued little tome I’m not convinced the author understands what the first amendment truly means. I always enjoyed the authors stand up and this makes the book to me even more disappointing

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for telling the truth about censorship and the history of standup comedy: Judy Gold is a hero! I have watched many standup comedians on TV, and couldn't always relate to their stories, but I admire anyone who has the courage to be vulnerable in front of a bunch of strangers. It's a precarious profession, especially when there are always people who want to suppress anything they find offensive, and many a comic has been banned, jailed, and otherwise attacked for their words. This is an important book, especially so in 2025 (the book was published in 2020, during Trump's first term), when there are more efforts than ever to silence anyone who disagrees with the regime.