Veteran comedian Bill Burr performed at UC Berkeley on Saturday, delivering a stand-up comedy set that tackled controversial topics such as verbal abuse, the war in Gaza, transgender rights, and child molestation. Known for his unfiltered style, Burr did not shy away from expressing his disagreements with what he called "white, hypocritical liberals," although he did clarify that it was their actions, not their political stances, that he found objectionable.
Burr critiqued performative activism, particularly pointing out that many white individuals display "Black Lives Matter" signs without actively working to dismantle systemic racism. He humorously compared this to a German citizen during World War II displaying a "Knock it off, Nazis" sign.
Despite poking fun at the liberal agenda and addressing sensitive subjects, Burr was met with enthusiastic applause and laughter from the sold-out audience. He even commented on the audience's unexpected approval of jokes about President Biden's cognitive decline, noting a lack of the expected politically correct response.
Burr also targeted self-proclaimed empaths, suggesting that they often make others' suffering about themselves. He advised the audience to avoid such people, humorously labeling them as insincere.
The comedian also joked about tech industry stereotypes, specifically critiquing "tech bros" as dangerous nerds eager to replace the workforce with AI. His set included a playful exchange with a heckler in a Lakers jersey, making pointed comments about the man's appearance.
Before leaving the stage, Burr expressed his admiration for the audience and wished he could have attended UC Berkeley as a student, closing with a positive note on the show’s reception.