From the Publisher
Kat uses her acerbic wit to destroy the mythos that anything is comedically off-limits. She gives me hope for the future of satire and I’m honored to call her my friend. — Ben Kissel, Last Podcast Network
My mom first introduced me to Kat Timpf, and this book shows why I’m so glad she did. Kat delivers biting, savage commentary with enough heart to make it hard to stay mad at her. By targeting everything she’s not supposed to target and laughing at stuff that’s supposed to be too dark, she shows us why it’s important to respect all kinds of speech. — Jerry Only, bassist for the Misfits
In You Can’t Joke About That, Kat Timpf takes us on a personal journey into the power of comedy. With sometimes gross anecdotes and an impeccable use of semicolons, she reminds us that intent and forgiveness matter, free speech is an indispensable cultural value, and laughter is the best medicine for so much of what ails us. I learned a lot about Kat in this book and found myself agreeing throughout, which is genuinely extraordinary. I can’t wait to recommend it to everyone. — Justin Amash, former member of the US House of Representatives
A ruthlessly honest exploration of comedy and cancellation in our era of outrage. By courageously exposing her every foible, Kat, a free-speech absolutist, makes the case that no topic is off-limits. From ostomy bags to death, Kat catapults us through her most extraordinary decade and teaches us that when we give people the freedom to take risks and speak freely, we find connection with those around us. — Dr. Drew, television host, addiction medicine specialist, and New York Times bestselling author of It Doesn’t Have to Be Awkward
Kat Timpf lays herself hysterically bare in her first triumphant book. The best Kat is bare Kat, and this honest and beautifully written love letter to free speech makes me love her even more. — Kennedy, Fox News cultural icon
bassist for the Misfits Jerry Only
Kat delivers biting, savage commentary with enough heart to make it hard to stay mad at her. By targeting everything she’s not supposed to target and laughing at stuff that’s supposed to be too dark, she shows us why it’s important to respect all kinds of speech.”
Dr. Drew
Kat, a free-speech absolutist, makes the case that no topic is off-limits. From ostomy bags to death, Kat catapults us through her most extraordinary decade and teaches us that when we give people the freedom to take risks and speak freely, we find connection with those around us.”
Kirkus Reviews
2023-05-18
A libertarian TV personality defends comedy against a wide array of charges.
“When someone says ‘You can't joke about that,’ what they really mean is ‘this is a subject that makes people sad or angry,’ ” writes Timpf at the beginning. In the "sad" category are the deaths of close relatives and pets. In the "angry" column are racism, sexism, transphobia, body positivity, and the like. "Candor and comedy really do connect us as humans," writes the author. It’s a good point, but it’s difficult to ignore the politicized backdrop of the author's commentary, featuring repeated references to her essays for the National Review and position with Fox News. Some of Timpf’s arguments are marred by logical fallacies. For example, a woman asked her how her mother felt about her grandmother's death. Sadly, Timpf's mother had also recently died, and she felt awkward saying so. If you don't understand why, she recommends, “the next time you’re at a party, just try breaking a small-talk silence with the question ‘So, who here do you think is gonna die first?’ ” The other person will likely "get weird," as she claims, but this does not prove the point that there is a widely enforced social stricture against talking about death. Elsewhere, the author makes solid, well-researched points in defense of freedom of speech. For example, in an amply documented chapter about the removal of problematic past episodes of TV shows from streaming services, she writes, "Although some people may see erasing what’s become unacceptable as a sign of progress, signs of progress are exactly what you are erasing." Timpf recounts plenty of dust-ups and scandals involving comedians including Chris Rock, Norm MacDonald, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and more. "Comedy is my religion," she writes, but the relentless politicization of comedy makes this a less powerful call for unity than it might be.
Those in the choir will enjoy the preaching; others may still find a few notes that resonate.
