I'm Being Blackmailed...

Summary

In this video, Australian comedian Isaac Butterfield shares the story of fellow comedian Biddy O'Lan, who faced severe backlash and cancellation after making jokes about trans women. Butterfield highlights how protests and threats from LGBTQ+ groups led to financial and logistical challenges for a show, forcing him to cancel her appearance. He later invites her to perform in Adelaide, showing support for her against cancel culture. Butterfield advocates for free speech in comedy, urging others to stand behind comedians pushing boundaries, regardless of controversial topics or reactions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Isaac Butterfield shares his experience with cancel culture surrounding comedian Biddy O'Lan.
• 😀 Biddy O'Lan faced backlash for making jokes about trans issues, leading to protests and a canceled gig.
• 😀 Isaac's venue in Melbourne faced threats of protests, resulting in additional security costs and the cancellation of Biddy's performance.
• 😀 Despite canceling her show in Melbourne, Isaac invited Biddy to perform in her hometown of Adelaide to support her.
• 😀 The show in Adelaide was a success, with a sold-out crowd of 800 people attending and Biddy performing.
• 😀 Biddy O'Lan addressed her cancellation, explaining how it led to unwanted media attention and the loss of her gig.
• 😀 Isaac supports comedians who push boundaries, even if their jokes are controversial or offensive to some.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of standing up for free speech and resisting cancel culture.
• 😀 Isaac criticizes the concept of silencing people based on offense, encouraging others to either rebut or ignore controversial speech.
• 😀 Isaac encourages all comedians to keep experimenting with their humor, regardless of potential backlash, as long as the audience responds positively.
• 😀 The video emphasizes that cancel culture affects not only the individuals involved but also the comedy scene as a whole, with potential long-term consequences.

Q & A

Why did Isaac Butterfield initially invite Biddy O'Lan to open for him in Melbourne?

Isaac invited Biddy O'Lan to open for him in Melbourne because he admired her willingness to push boundaries in comedy and supported her right to joke about sensitive topics, despite the controversy surrounding her.

What caused the cancellation of Biddy O'Lan's appearance at Isaac's show in Melbourne?

Biddy's appearance was canceled because the venue received numerous complaints from protesters, including the LGBTQ+ community, who threatened to protest at the show. The venue then decided that extra security would be needed, which would cost a significant amount of money.

How much did the venue estimate it would cost for extra security due to the protests?

The venue estimated that the extra security needed to manage potential protests would cost around $10,000.

What was Isaac's reasoning for canceling Biddy's appearance despite initially inviting her?

Isaac canceled Biddy's appearance due to the high cost of security, which would fall on him and the venue. He felt it was a more practical decision, despite wanting to support her.

How did Isaac respond to the situation after canceling Biddy's appearance in Melbourne?

Isaac chose to perform in Biddy's hometown, Adelaide, where she had been canceled, and invited her to open for him at that show instead. This was an act of support for her and a statement against cancel culture.

What happened when Isaac and Biddy performed in Adelaide?

The show in Adelaide was a success, with a sold-out crowd of around 800 people. Biddy opened for Isaac and performed well, despite the controversy surrounding her.

How does Isaac Butterfield view cancel culture and its impact on comedy?

Isaac views cancel culture negatively, believing it stifles free speech and creativity in comedy. He feels that comedians should be able to perform and say what they believe is funny, without fear of being canceled for offending others.

What message does Isaac send to other comedians through his support of Biddy O'Lan?

Isaac encourages other comedians to stay true to their comedic instincts, take risks, and not be afraid of backlash. He emphasizes the importance of trying new material and accepting that not every joke will resonate with everyone.

What is Isaac Butterfield's stance on free speech in Australia?

Isaac advocates for free speech and believes it should be a priority in discussions about the future of Australia. He argues that people should be able to express themselves freely, even if their opinions or jokes are controversial or offensive to some.

Why does Isaac think Biddy O'Lan's situation is important for the comedy community?

Isaac believes that Biddy's situation highlights the dangers of cancel culture and the need for support from the comedy community. He thinks it is crucial for people to stand behind comedians who are pushing boundaries and trying to innovate, rather than silencing them.