Explaining what defamation means for comedians, by lawyer-turned-comedian Matt Ritter

Lawyer-turned-comedian/producer Matt Ritter sent me this video today, which is not “legal advice” as he points out, but rather some points of clarification regarding defamation law. Which might come in handy for comedians who may or may not land themselves in proverbial hot water over jokes they’ve told and/or written and/or typed.

Or as Ritter described it for his YouTube upload: “In light of recent events where one comedian may have defamed another comedian for no reason whatsoever, I thought it would be helpful so we all know how to avoid it. Not being an a*shole is probably the easiest way.”

I thought about this when I wrote my piece yesterday. Glad to see Ritter offer some legal clarification.

Roll the clip!

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →