At the recent TIME100 Summit, comedians Michelle Buteau and Josh Edelman engaged in a lively conversation moderated by TIME Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs, delving into the significant role comedy plays in fostering empathy, openness, and societal change. “If you’re making people laugh, they’re listening, and they’re receiving. So now, maybe their hearts and minds are a little bit more open,” Buteau asserted. “We’re definitely missing a lot of levity right now. Everyone’s yelling ‘I’m right,’ ‘No, I’m right’ on this point. Okay, everything can be right, and then nothing gets accomplished. I really love comedy being that conduit to force openness and change.”
Edelman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of empathy in comedy, particularly in his experience infiltrating a white supremacist meeting. “If you want to actually reach someone, you actually stand a much better chance by extending your empathy and trying to listen to them without trying to convince them,” he explained. Edelman also highlighted the value of audience interaction, holding Q&A sessions after each of his shows, recognizing “Americans have this desperate desire to not just be empathized with, but to empathize with others. And there actually aren’t a lot of outlets for that.”
Regarding the future of comedy, Edelman observed the emergence of two distinct “teams”: long-form comedy, primarily seen in live stand-up shows or specials, and short-form comedy, prevalent on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. He expressed curiosity about what might break through the current noise and captivate audiences, suggesting, “I think communicating truth in a more interesting way” could be key. Buteau expressed optimism about the future of comedy, stating, “I personally am not that concerned about the state of comedy. Something great is going to break through and change things a little bit.”
The conversation took an amusing turn when the comedians delved into a digression about dairy, specifically ice cream flavors. Edelman humorously argued against the trend of gourmet-style flavors, proposing hypothetical concoctions like earl grey, blue cheese and pear, and strawberry balsamic as “salad dressings” rather than ice cream. “We need really good, regular ice cream flavors again. And that’s why I’m running for president,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. Buteau countered his stance, asserting, “Listen, I just want to say there can be diversity of flavors in ice cream. It doesn’t just have to be the traditional flavors.” Edelman feigned discomfort, prompting Buteau to declare, “Exactly, there we go. Making white men uncomfortable is my platform for president.” This lighthearted exchange showcased the comedians’ ability to use humor to address even sensitive topics.
The TIME100 Summit brings together influential individuals from the global TIME100 community to discuss solutions and inspire action towards a better world. This year’s summit featured a remarkable lineup of speakers from diverse sectors, including politics, business, health and science, culture, and more. The event provided a platform for thought leaders to share their perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations that aim to shape a more positive and just future.
