Cancel Culture Is Good for Comedy? Michael Che Thinks So

In the latest episode of Boardroom Talks, Michael Che sits down for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, Saturday Night Live, his new Netflix special Shot in Minnesota, and the changing business of stand-up.

Che discusses why great comedy can come from outside the traditional gatekeepers, how social media has changed the path for emerging comedians, and why constraints can actually make artists more creative. He also opens up about his time as SNL's first Black head writer, the challenges of writing from a different perspective, and why criticism can be healthy for the creative process.

Che gets candid about his friendship and prank war with Colin Jost, the viral moment when he confronted Ye, the state of Black representation in comedy and television, and why he believes sitcoms have lost some of the magic of the 1990s and early 2000s.

He also talks about directing Shot in Minnesota for the first time, why he wanted the special to feel more like a live rock show, the comedians who make him laugh, his love of New York, his favorite music, and the best investment he's ever made: betting on himself and trying comedy.