Over the last few years, with the dramatic rise in political correctness and "cancel" culture, we've seen a dangerous increase in censorship of comedians who cover controversial issues - moments like the backlash to Michelle Wolf's roast at the 2018 White House Correspondent's Dinner, or Samantha Bee's forced apology after calling Ivanka Trump a "feckless c*nt," or Kathy Griffin's blacklisting from Hollywood after posting a photo with what looked like the president's severed head.

This summer, Dey Street Books will publish Judy Gold's YES, I CAN SAY THAT: When They Come for the Comedians We Are All In Trouble (On Sale: July 28, 2020). In this punchy, bold take on the importance of protecting free speech in comedy and beyond, Judy argues that nothing is more insidious than enforcing silence and repressing jokes-the job of a comedian is to expose society's demons, and confront them head-on, no prisoners allowed. In ten impassioned polemics, she frames comedy as a tool of empowerment, a way to reclaim hateful rhetoric and battle the democracy-crushing plight of censorship.

Judy Gold is an American standup comedian, actress, television writer, and producer. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. She has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central, and LOGO. She has also written and starred in two critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit shows: The Judy Show - My Life as a Sitcom and 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother. Judy is currently the host of the hit podcast Kill Me Now. In this era of partisan politics and gaping inequalities, YES, I CAN SAY THAT is the refreshingly candid, wickedly funny and deliciously blunt manifesto we need.

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