David Mitchell says people are too sensitive for edgy jokes.
The \'Peep Show\' star admitted that he is now more conscious of how his humour will be perceived by people than he used to be and he is less likely to take risks with his material anymore.
He said: "I came into comedy when you could swear and didn\'t have to worry about being audited.
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"But in the past 10 years people have been quick to take offense- they are less accepting if you cross a certain line.
"So for practical reasons I stay away from edgier jokes more than I have done in the past."
David and his wife Victoria Coren have a three-year-old daughter together and he believes his child may have contributed to him toning down his humour.
He said: "Having a small child gives you an insight into human vulnerability. The world seems harsh and frightening, I don\'t feel strong and young anymore and so I don\'t have a taste for darker humour."
He also admitted he hates when people compare his latest sitcom \'Upstart Crow\' to \'Blackadder\'.
The 44-year-old comedian is sick of people criticising his show and says comparisons to older shows are one of the most irritating things about the series.
He told The Telegraph: "One of the most annoying responses to the first series was when somebody wrote \'why the canned laughter? They didn\'t need it in \'Blackadder\'.
"Well firstly, it wasn\'t canned [it was a live audience] and secondly there was on \'Blackadder\' but of course I had no comeback to this idiot."
7 February 2026 - 4:44 AM
