Zach Galifianakis has taken aim at the growing overlap between stand-up comedy, podcasting, and politics, arguing that comedians have increasingly positioned themselves as political commentators rather than simply doing what they are good at.
Speaking to Vulture, Galifianakis criticized podcasters for becoming too accommodating toward politicians, particularly when it comes to challenging the people they interview.
“It’s tough now because the podcasters have become justers for the politicians, right? They they don’t challenge them. They just like yeah, cool, right?” Galifianakis said.
The comedian made it clear that this is a role he has no interest in taking on himself. “And that I don’t want to do,” he added.
Galifianakis then expanded his criticism to comedians who have moved into podcasting and in the process, started presenting themselves as authorities on subjects well beyond comedy.
“This is my problem also with comedians. They became experts and podcasters,” he explained. “No offense, but Jesus Christ!”
Galifianakis’ point was not necessarily that comedians should stay away from podcasting altogether. Instead, he appeared to argue that there is something liberating about remembering what you actually are rather than assuming the role of an expert simply because you have a large platform.
“You’re just a comedian. And by the way, that’s my defense of them. You’re just a comedian. They’re just comedians,” he concluded.
As podcasts have become major platforms for long-form conversations, comedians have increasingly found themselves discussing politics, current events, and public figures alongside their traditional comedy work. For Galifianakis however, that expanded platform does not necessarily mean comedians need to present themselves as authorities.
