Kevin Hart On Bill Maher, Kathy Griffin Controversies: Comics 'Always Take Risks'

This article originally appeared on Entertainment Weekly. 

Comedy has always been a risky business, but Kevin Hart says the stakes are even greater in the era of social media.

In an excerpt from his Wednesday appearance on The View, Hart weighs in on the recent controversies sparked by Bill Maher uttering the N-word on the air and Kathy Griffin posing in a photo depicting a decapitated Donald Trump. According to Hart, comedians have to be especially careful because negative sentiments proliferate so quickly these days.

“Times are different now, and as a comedian, you have to understand and respect that,” he says. “If you put yourself in a position to be viewed in a negative way from the public, with social media being the way that it is, if it’s negative it’s going to spread. … I think you have to use better judgment.”

Regarding Maher’s remark and Griffin’s photo (both of which they apologized for), Hart says, “You’re just looking at comics being comics. We always take risks, but sometimes it can be distasteful.”

He adds, “Kathy Griffin, I get that it was a joke — it wasn’t received well, you apologized, you should step away from it. Whatever happens after that, it happens. Bill Maher, I don’t think Bill Maher is a racist, but you know the consequences of using the word, you know how many people view your show. It was stupid.”

Watch the clip above for more, and catch Hart’s full appearance Wednesday on The View.

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[MUSIC] Why a book? Why not? Me saying I Can't Make This Up, Life Lessons by Kevin Hart, this It's truth in that, I think outside of the comedy there's another level to me that exists that it's time that people. People learn about. This guy is a person who is flawed to a certain degree but who embraces them, who is built off of it. And ultimately became the man that he is today. I think the hardest think to honestly share in my book was the in-depth relationship with me and my parents. Really Really, really going outside of the frame. Opening up about these frames, putting them in my book, being brutally honest about it was just something that I felt was necessary, something that I felt in my fan base would respect and I pride myself on spreading positivity. And positivity and no way, shape or form should ever be misconceived to be perfection. You're a person who just lives and loves energy, and I give it to get it. And I think this book is putting myself out there in a way to receive more of it. And hopefully that energy comes hand over fist. [MUSIC]