NPR's Newsmakers NPR's Newsmakers

Robby Hoffman thinks comics can ‘say anything’ — and she does

Sep 3, 2026 · 36m

Summary

Comedian Robbie Hoffman joins NPR’s Newsmakers to discuss her career, from bombing at her first stand-up set to her roles in Hacks and Rooster. She addresses criticism regarding her jokes on sensitive topics, defends her right to explore queer identity through humor, and recounts a traumatic experience questioning the Writers Guild of America during the 2023 strike. Hoffman also reflects on her journey from poverty to success and her commitment to authenticity.

Topics discussed

Introduction and show overview Robbie Hoffman's first stand-up experience Responsibility for joke interpretation and topics A controversial joke about disability and poverty Mother's influence and tenacity Relationship with money and success Confrontation at the Writers Guild of America Identity, responsibility, and pronoun jokes Reflections on younger self and current identity Freedom of speech in comedy and late night TV Future projects and closing remarks
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