Political correctness, as defined by Britannica, is a "term used to refer to language that seems intended to give the least amount of offense," with particular regard to race, gender, and sexuality. Comedy, in the sense of stand-up comedy or a comedy show, is listed by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a form of "humorous entertainment."

As a personal lover of comedy, I've noticed over the past few years a relationship between political correctness, forming between separate opinions. On one hand, there are those people who believe that the rise in a need for political correctness has ruined comedy, while others say that political correctness should be applied everywhere in life, regardless of its intended meaning. Over the years, issues have come in with people saying that they have been offended by comedians who, in turn, have been defended by saying that they did not intend offense, that their words are only for the sake of comedy and making people laugh.

Of course, the concept is not so foreign. If you can't laugh at yourself, then what can you laugh at? However, others contend that comedy cannot be funny if it comes at the expense of another person. One example of controversy between political correctness and comedy comes from comic Daniel Tosh. In the summer of 2012, Tosh, at one of his comedy shows, was reported to have heckled a female member of the audience about rape and making jokes about rape. While other comedians defended Tosh, the topic came to the general question: what can be considered to be funny, and is it possible to be funny without offending anyone?

To this, I would dare to argue that there are different forms of comedy, but also should include the underlying idea that if it does truly offend or attack a group of people, then it should not be said in such a crass manner. Parodies, for example, are a form of comedy meant to playfully mock another object, be it a person, song, or otherwise. Is it mocking? Yes. Offensive? Not necessarily, not unless it is intentionally attacking the original in a mean-spirited way.

But is it possible to be funny while juggling political correctness and the feelings of millions of people? To this, I answer with a single name: John Mulaney. Mulaney, with several Netflix specials, thousands of followers, sold-out shows, and years of writing for SNL under his belt, seems, to me, to be a prime example of a funny comedian who does not offend anyone.

On April 14, Mulaney hosted SNL, and showed off several skits that never made it to air during his time as a writer. Highlights from the night included his lobster skit and his stand-up monologue. While, throughout many of his skits over his years of comedy, Mulaney has approached topics of gender and sexuality, but handles each tastefully and with care, never attacking another person through his words.

For those comics who feel that political correctness has ruined comedy, I disagree. Mulaney can boast a successful career all without ever placing another person under fire. If anything, the flaw is not with political correctness opposing stand-up comedy, but that we have allowed offense to seep into comedy for so long that we are unable to create entertainment without harming others. That, in my opinion, is the true issue at hand.