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Billy Connolly takes aim at politically correct comedy, labelling it ‘vomit-inducing’

Oct 03, 2023
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In his latest candid conversation, Connolly didn't disappoint when he was asked what makes him chuckle these days. Source: Getty Images.

Legendary comedian Billy Connolly has taken a no-holds-barred swipe at politically correct comedy, branding it as “vomit-inducing.”

Connolly has always been celebrated for his unfiltered comedic style and fearless approach to sensitive topics. During his lengthy career, Connolly has addressed everything from politics to religion, never shying away from the controversial or taboo.

In his latest candid conversation, he didn’t disappoint when he was asked what makes him chuckle these days.

“Oh yeah … there’s a school of black comedians who are generally in their 50s or 60s, and they are so politically incorrect it almost doesn’t bear watching. It’s fantastically good for you,” he told The Guardian

“They just say it like it is – it’s breathtaking. That’s wonderful and I’m glad they exist, because the social worker-ation that has passed through comedy is vomit-inducing.

“Comedians never used to worry about what was correct to say. You said it, and you soon found out whether it was correct or not. And then you got on with it. And that was a good enough rule for me.”

In the same interview, Connolly also offered some insight into his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, offering fans a candid glimpse into his life as he bravely confronts this “cruel” adversary head-on.

In 2013, Connolly publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since then, The Big Yin has remained candid about his struggles with the disease that affects movement control.

In his latest update, the comedian revealed that he has noticed “a deterioration” in his balance which has resulted in “a couple of serious falls”.

“It’s very difficult to see the progression exactly, because a lot of things come and go,” he said.

“Recently I’ve noticed a deterioration in my balance. That was never such a problem before, but in the last year that has come and it has stayed.

“For some reason, I thought it would go away, because a lot of symptoms have come and gone away … just to defy the symptom spotters. The shaking has reappeared.”

Connolly’s wife, Pamela Stephenson, revealed that “the balance issue has been most significant” which resulted in “a couple of serious falls”.

Famous for his ability to find the humour in any situation, Connolly explained that his recent fall reminded him of a joke he would often share during his stand-up performances.

“It’s funny, that fall I had when I landed on my jaw reminded me of a thing I used to do on stage,” he began.

“I used to say: ‘I fell out of bed, but luckily my face broke my fall’.”

While Connolly still retains a positive outlook, he admitted that he is “being encroached upon by the disease”.

“It’s just added to the list of things that hold me back. I feel like I want to go for a walk, but I go for 50 yards and I want to go home, because I’m tired,” he said.

“I’m being encroached upon by this disease. It’s creeping up behind me and stopping me doing things. It’s a cruel disease.”

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