Chinese officials warn women comedians that men are no laughing matter
The GuardianWednesday, July 23, 2025 at 3:50:32 AM
Chinese officials in Zhejiang province are telling female comedians to tone down jokes about men, arguing that humor shouldn’t fuel gender tensions. This comes after a viral stand-up routine where a comedian made light of her allegedly abusive marriage, sparking online debate. The authorities want comedy to be "constructive" rather than divisive—basically, don’t punch down (or up) just for laughs.
Editor’s Note: Comedy often pushes boundaries, but in China, those boundaries are getting clearer—especially when it comes to gender. Officials seem worried that viral jokes could amplify social divisions, so they’re nudging performers toward safer material. It’s part of a broader trend where authorities weigh in on culture to keep public discourse in check, even when it’s meant to be funny. For comedians, that’s no joke.
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