Yes, I Can Say That

When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble

By: Judy Gold

Narrated by: Judy Gold

"No one makes me laugh harder than Judy Gold. If I had to pick one comedian to write a book about free speech, it would be Judy." (Amy Schumer)

From award-winning comedian Judy Gold, an equal parts thoughtful and hilarious polemic on the current efforts to censor comedians, arguing that they undermine the art - and purpose - of comedy itself.

“You can say anything that comes to mind as long as it is funny.” (Richard Pryor)

The fallout after Michelle Wolf’s roast at the 2018 White House Correspondent’s Dinner, Samantha Bee’s forced apology after calling Ivanka Trump a “feckless c--t”, Kathy Griffin’s being “blacklisted” from Hollywood after posting a photo with what looked like the president’s severed head, all represent a dangerous and growing trend - to censor comedians.

In Yes I Can Say That, comedy veteran Judy Gold argues that "no one has the right to tell comics what they can or cannot joke about.... Laughter is a unifier. It's the best medicine. It's also the most palatable way to bring up seditious, subversive topics.” For Gold, nothing is more insidious than enforcing silence and repressing jokes - the job of a comedian is to expose society's demons and confront them head-on, no prisoners allowed. In 10 impassioned polemics, she frames comedy as a tool of empowerment, a way to reclaim hateful rhetoric and battle the democracy-crushing plight of censorship.

Uninhibited and bold, Gold is as skilled at making people laugh as she is at exposing uncomfortable truths about our culture and society. In this era of partisan politics and gaping inequalities, Yes I Can Say That is the refreshingly candid, wickedly funny, and deliciously blunt manifesto we need.

©2019 Judy Gold (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Love love love it!

Thank G-d someone as intelligent and funny like Judy Gold tackled this topic. She is brilliant.

Required Reading

if I talk classes somewhere I would require this as part of the reading material

A life changer

This was a life changing book. Its even more enjoyable when Judy reads it herself.

Fantastic!

Fantastic! Will make you think and laugh! Judy is a treasure. Don’t miss this gem!

Thought Provoking

I've always enjoyed Judy Gold's comedy and knew she was an intelligent woman, but this book is proof of her intellect. Although I didn't agree with all of her conclusions, her stories were well chosen illustrations for the point being made and her research was quite remarkable. I learned a lot about what goes into comedy as well as being challenged to think about freedom of speech in a new way. Highly recommended!

Pure Gold

I've been a fan of Judy Gold since I first saw her on the TV show All American Girl back in the 90s. Even with that I have to admit I was hesitant to purchase this book. After the suckfest of 2020, I wasn't looking for a preachy book about the First Amendment. Boy was I wrong. I decided to give this book a try after listening to Judy promote it on The Stephine Miller Show. I'm so happy I did. This book made me laugh out loud. I can't think of a better way to end this year.

IT’S JUDY’S SHOOOOW!

I love this woman and have for years. She can make me laugh like no other.
She makes a lot of great points in this book about political correctness and how it has turned into a witch hunt. I don’t want my comedy watered down.
I don’t need to be protected.
Keep doing what you do, Judy.

Smart, hilarious and thoughtful

This book is mainly about the paralyzing effects of political correctness and cancel culture but in exploring that she covers a lot of territory and touches on so many different aspects of comedy and discusses other great past and current comedians to make her point. I love her sense of humor and intelligence and humanity. Hearing her read it is a bonus.

Must read for any stand-up comic

Was rivetted! As a stand-up comic closing in on 4 years of performing, was inspired.

very good

she tells a great store. heard of some female comedians that have been lost in the past.
get this book