Graham Norton Challenges John Cleese's Views on Cancel Culture

Monty Python icon John Cleese, who's long railed against so-called cancel culture, was criticized recently by an Irish actor who says that free speech isn't necessarily "consequence free."

The remarks from Graham Norton, longtime host of the Eurovision songwriting competition, came during a recent festival. His comments about cancel culture have since gone viral on social media.

"In what world are you canceled? I'm reading your article in the newspaper, or you're doing interviews about how terrible it is to be canceled," Norton said. "So I think the word is the wrong word. I think the word should be 'accountability.'"

Someone may be considered "canceled" if they receive personal or professional blowback over unpopular words or actions.

Norton further said that Cleese is a "man of a certain age" who's long enjoyed a platform to share his views. He said it "must be very hard" to then face accountability, adding: "It's free speech, but not consequence free."

Cleese is a fierce proponent of the view that "wokeism" is squelching open expression. Likewise, conservatives worldwide have blasted cancel culture, accusing liberals of trying to forcefully install a progressive agenda.

The Monty Python alum recently announced that he'll soon host a show on GB News, which he described as a "free speech channel." Cleese also said that if the BBC had approached him for a gig, he would have declined.

"I wouldn't get five minutes into the first show without being canceled or censored," he said. He further described himself as an "old-fashioned liberal" and denied that GB News leans to the right.

Other celebrities have also pushed back against the "woke mob." Harry Potter mastermind J.K. Rowling has claimed to have fallen victim to cancel culture over her remarks about transgender people, which the LGBTQ community and its allies have widely condemned as ignorant and harmful.

Meanwhile, Star Trek: The Next Generation actor LeVar Burton pushed back against the term, calling it a "misnomer" that should be switched out for the phrase "consequence culture."

Newsweek reported last year that Burton's comments came during a time when conservatives were stoking fears that beloved children's book author Dr. Suess was being canceled. His estate had announced that it would stop producing several books deemed to contain offensive or racist content.

"In terms of cancel culture, I think it's misnamed, that's a misnomer," Burton said at the time. "I think we have a consequence culture, and that consequences are finally encompassing everybody in the society."

Newsweek has reached out to Cleese, Graham and Burton for comment.