Let me preface this by saying I'm not a fan at all of Bill Burr, but he recently went on Bill Maher's show, and said he was with the students. He's also said some inflammatory things in the past, so I'm not sure. Are we cool with Bill Burr, now?
Who’s “we”, and why do you feel the need to ask them if they like a particular comedian?
Second part of the question; is having your opinion validated by the group that important to you?
I think it would be better to ask where he stands on things, confirm the information from multiple sources, and make your own opinion.
I reject that kind of black and white thinking. We don't have to classify people as either "cool" or "uncool", or "good" and "bad". We can criticize one thing someone does, while also praising something else that they do.
Bill Burr is a surprisingly thoughtful and principled guy with consistently good opinions. He's a comedian, and he doesn't have any theory underpinning his worldview, but I bet if you look at why he's been criticized in the past it's by liberals who are mad that he's being critical of liberals. I'm not at all surprised that he lit up Bill Maher on his boomer-ass Israel-Palestine takes.
He has a lot of good opinions, but not consistently good opinions. He reminds me a lot of how many viewed Russell Brand or maybe Joe Rogan years ago. When good opinions come from a shallow philosophical framework, always expect things to go sideways eventually.
Fuck Bill Barr. His commentary on Bill Maher was centrist at best. I'll never forgive him for the other fucked up shit he said, or at least until he actually apologises (spoiler: he won't).
I think he's smart and brave. A lot of smart people won't say what they think because of people everywhere checking on discourses for the smallest fractures getting offended. Smart people, in the end, will choose their battles. Bill Burr is not always on point but he does not shy away from stating his point of view. Sometimes he does it brilliantly. I don't follow the guy as much as a fan or a critic would to know why they like him or why they hate him right now. Seriously, cancelation culture is not constructive.
