Eric Idle: “There’s a reason Hitler and Trump get rid of the comedians first”

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In a recent interview with TopMob, comedian Eric Idle expressed his disapproval of CBS’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s show. He also commended South Park for its courageous portrayal of Donald Trump.

As a lifelong film and comedy fan, I was really struck by something Eric Idle said recently. He was talking about the climate for comedy right now – specifically after Jimmy Kimmel faced trouble at ABC and Stephen Colbert’s show was cancelled – and he pointed out something chilling. He said there’s a pattern: dictators like Hitler and figures like Trump always go after comedians first. It’s because they absolutely can’t stand being mocked, and that really resonated with me as someone who believes in the power of satire.

He explained that comedy involves saying something truthful, even if it’s unexpected or inappropriate. He emphasized its importance, saying it’s about challenging those in authority and helping people cope with life.

Following the announcement of Kimmel’s suspension, Trump posted on social media: “Fantastic news for America! The struggling Jimmy Kimmel Show has been cancelled. ABC deserves credit for finally taking necessary action.”

Former President Trump criticized late-night hosts, claiming Jimmy Kimmel lacks talent and has lower ratings than Stephen Colbert. He then dismissed Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers as failures with poor viewership on NBC, urging the network to take action.

In a recent interview with TopMob, John Idle criticized the decision to remove Stephen Colbert from the air as “cowardly.” He pointed out that Colbert, who just won an Emmy for hosting The Late Show, has until May to express his opinions on television.

Comedian Bill Idle, while performing in the UK, praised the recent portrayal of Donald Trump on *South Park*, calling it “heroic.” He also believes the show’s sharp, often crude satire has significantly harmed the former president’s image.

The Comedy Central show depicts Donald Trump as small-minded and easily angered, and includes a storyline where he is romantically involved with the Devil.

Eric Idle, the writer of Spamalot, who is 82 years old, also mentioned that the series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone taps into a feeling of rebellion, which he believes is important.

“I was in the war, we laughed at Hitler and it made a difference. It diminishes their power.”

For tickets to see Eric Idle on the last few dates of his tour go to ericidle.com/tour.

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2025-09-19 18:04