‘Fun to watch’ CEOs ‘Worry’

Bill Burr believes CEOs have learned nothing since the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

In a new interview with Black the 56-year-old actor talked about his evolving comedy amid his upcoming Hulu special, Drop Dead Yearswhich reportedly covers everything from marriage, fatherhood, personal growth and moving from his previously aggressive humor to a softer, more introspective tone.

Burr also discussed the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot last month in New York City.

“The funny thing when the CEO was beaten was to see CEOs being uncomfortable,” he said. “I’m sure they didn’t learn anything, but it’s like this: That’s how you make everyone feel day in and day out, putting pressure on because ‘that’s how business is done.’ How do you leave this burning wreckage of broken lives while you ‘restructure’ and ‘consolidate’ it was fun to watch them worry.”

For the new special, which was shot in Seattle, Burr said the location is based on whether he feels “like there’s going to be a good amount of pushback from the crowd.”

“When you’re filming a stand-up special, there are cameras there, so people tend to be a little more comfortable,” Burr shared Black. “And I need that push-pull thing to happen. I don’t want to be in an echo chamber. I’d rather it be more hostile than comfortable.”

Burr said he adjusts his “arsehole mood” based on the state he’s in, before adding: “If I’m in a conservative place, I’m going to be more liberal. And if I’m in a liberal place, I’m going to be more conservative . It’s like trying to make an over-medium egg, you know? There’s an art to it.”

When asked if he was more careful about working with political material, he said: “No. You just go up and do it. And if you listen to it, it’s apolitical. I’m just saying we have to find in a way to resolve our differences without dropping bombs on children. I don’t think anyone would have a problem with that.”

Bill Burr’s Drop Dead Years premieres on Hulu on March 14.