opinion
After announcing his retirement, comedian Bill Engvall has spoken out to criticize modern comedy audiences who he feels are more eager to be offended by something than to actually be entertained.
Engvall criticizes the insulting comedy audience
During an appearance on “Stand-Up World,” Engvall opened up about what he feels is wrong with comedy audiences these days, revealing that they played a role in his recent decision to retire from stand-up comedy.
“If I had to start over today, I don't think I would succeed,” said Engvall, 66. “The audience is different now, society has changed… It used to be that this situation was a release valve. People came to the show to spend A good time after a bad day or whatever.
“Now, it seems like people go to shows hoping you'll say something that will offend them so they can be part of the show and scream,” he added. “I just don't want to do it. I just want to stand my ground.”
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Engvall retires
This is not the only reason Engvall decided to retire, he also wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. Engvall explained that the death of fellow comedian Bob Saget in 2022 gave him a new perspective on life and how short it really is.
“That was a big thing for me because Bobby was one of the first comedians I ever worked with…he took me under his wing. When we lost him, I thought, 'This is not good,'” Engvall said. “I told my wife that one of my biggest fears was “Death on the road.”
He later added: “The road takes years out of your life.”
However, Engvall hasn't completely closed the door on the idea of returning to stand-up comedy one day.
“If someone came in with stupid money, they'd probably get Bill Engvall's offer,” he said with a smile.
Watch this full interview in the video below.
Engvall flees California
It comes two months after Engvall revealed he had become the latest celebrity to flee California, packing up his belongings with his wife Jill and moving to Utah.
“We've been in California for 30 years and had a great time. We had a great time,” Engvall explained to Fox News in November. “I've always said, if you can't find something to do in California, you don't look for it.”
Although he enjoyed California in the past, Engvall had some good reasons for wanting to leave the state.
“I've accomplished everything I wanted to do at work. And economically as well, I mean the taxes are crazy. “So it was a combination of a lot of things. But I don't hate California.
“You know, there was never anything we went to in California where we went, 'Oh my God, we've got to get out of here.'…I'm still in love with California,” he continued. “And like I said, if work comes, it's probably going to come from Los Angeles… I still come back and do TV shows, you know, talk shows and things like that.”
Full story: Christian comedian Bill Engvall flees California over 'crazy' taxes – settles in Utah
Engvall love life in utah
Engvall loves his more relaxed life in Utah, and has no regrets about leaving California.
“I felt more at home, if that makes sense,” he said of being in Utah. “I mean, I'm from Texas and I love Texas, but I don't know if I could go back there… It has its pros and cons, just like every state does.”
“But I never saw Utah on our radar at all, you know,” he concluded. “But then again, maybe it was my narrow-mindedness that made me judge what it was. And then I realized: 'Oh, it's not like I thought.'
While we're sad to see Engvall retire, we're happy to see that he seems to be in a great place in his life right now. Please join us in saying a prayer for Engvall so that he can continue to enjoy retirement in the years to come!
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