Ben Stiller says doing comedy is “more challenging” in current political climate

Ben Stiller has said that it is harder to make comedies now due to the current political climate.

The Severance director and film star opened up about his changing perception of comedy during a new interview with Radio Times, and said that he has noticed the genre becoming more difficult to navigate in recent years.

“We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging. You’re seeing that front and centre in our country,” the Meet The Parents star explained, adding that he still has hopes that the genre can thrive if creators continue to follow their gut.

“But I think it’s important that comedians keep doing what they’re doing, speaking truth to power and being free to say what they want. That’s the most important thing.”

Stiller also went on to cite social media as having an underlying impact on comedy, with audiences now used to short-form content on platforms like TikTok, and less likely to have the attention span to commit to a new film or series than in previous years.

“You have things that go out to huge audiences very quickly,” Stiller said. “I think we’ve reduced our attention spans down a little bit. I feel lucky to have grown up in the analogue world.”

Stiller has also spoken about the changing public attitude towards comedy before, and revealed last November that he thinks his film Tropic Thunder would stand little chance of getting made today due to the controversial nature.

“Obviously, in this environment, edgier comedy is just harder to do,” he said. “Definitely not at the scale we made it at, too, in terms of the economics of the business.”

Aside from roles in hit films like Tropic Thunder, Zoolander, Meet The Parents, Night At The Museum, and more, Ben Stiller has also been behind the camera for the first two seasons of the hit Apple TV+ drama, Severance, directing 11 of its 19 episodes so far.

The latest season received 27 nominations at the 2025 Emmys, and it was confirmed in August that he will not be returning as director for season three as he will be focusing on a film project instead.