Jim Breuer found a new legion of fans during the pandemic.
While most comedians deferred to government lockdowns, the “Saturday Night Live” alum questioned the status quo. He doubted Dr. Anthony Fauci’s wisdom on the pandemic and called out the hypocritical tactics aimed at reducing the virus’ spread.
He spoke truth to power.
For that he’s been mocked, attacked and dubbed an “ultra-conservative” comic. Reporters breathlessly reported on a gag he told earlier this year that they found tasteless.
Breuer isn’t a political comedian. His bread and butter gags don’t hinge on MAGA boasts or Biden blasts. He’s a blend of observational comedy marinated in his personal life. But he also calls out cultural curiosities as he sees them, like wondering how the U.S. government could literally lose an airplane.
On the latest episode of “Jim Breuer’s Breuniverse,” the comedian shared his frustration with fans who applaud his so-called partisan streak.
“I don’t like when people say, ‘I like your politics,’” Breuer began. “We gotta stop saying that. I don’t see myself as political. What is political? That I question things, that’s political? When did that become political?”
“I had a guy on Instagram say, ‘You’re a right wing nut job.’ What? What have I said that makes you go … what is even right wing?
“If I talk about [President Joe] Biden fumbling around on a stage, does that piss you off because you’re a Democrat or a liberal? It should piss you off as a human being, as a human being. If you see some banana walking on stage and they don’t know where it’s at, or someone who can’t speak, how is that political? The minds of human beings absolutely baffle me … ‘you don’t talk about my team. My team is doing the best they can.’ I’m not political.
“Politics is professional wrestling to its highest degree, except you don’t know you’re part of the script, you don’t know it,” he said.
Later he brought up how some comedy clubs demanded patrons get the COVID-19 shot before entering the building during the pandemic. Breuer found it farcical and fought back, both on stage and off.
One of the few people who had his back was fellow “SNL” alum Rob Schneider, his guest for the episode. The duo compared notes on upending cultural narratives, eviscerating Big Pharma and more.
Rob Schneider Says Big Pharma is a 'Legal Drug Cartel'
"Pharma is the legal drug cartel…Until there's a homicide charge it's going to continue. Why? Because it's the cost of doing business." pic.twitter.com/2uMK3TleAw
— Mariana (@lonestarherd) March 10, 2023
Those stances pushed them to the perimeter of Hollywood, Inc. It also brought them newer fans who appreciate their candor and counter-culture spirit. They debunked claims that their subversive comedy is part of a business angle or grift.
“It’s funny how they think people like us, ‘you’re grifters or you’re trying to make money off this.’ No. It’s cost us,” Schneider said.
“It’s cost me tremendously. It forced me to go in different directions,” Breuer added.
Breuer wasn’t always as topical as his today. In fact, he explained why comedians should think twice before getting on a soapbox in 2016.
“I’m not there to change the world. You’re paying to see me take you out of your misery for an hour, hour and a half. I’m not there to lecture you. You get that in school and at work and the news shows that are down your throat. I’m there to make you laugh.”
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