COMEDY BOOK: How Comedy Conquered Culture — and the Magic That Makes It Work, by Jesse David FoxOUTRAGEOUS: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars, by Kliph NesteroffDid you hear the one about cancel culture? But two new books share an exasperation with the common sentiment that there’s never been a worse time to express oneself than the present. Kliph Nesteroff’s fact-packed “Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars” finds American entertainers in a perpetual state of despair over the censorious climate of their day — whatever day it happens to be. To Jesse David Fox, the author of “Comedy Book,” the risk of backlash is part of the point. It’s what makes it more exciting than watching a bunch of men sprinting with helmets on.”

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Persons: Jesse David Fox, Kliph Nesteroff, you’ve, Kliph, Steve Allen, ”, Jerry Seinfeld, he’d, “, ” Nesteroff Organizations: —, Showbiz, New Locations: New York