Anthony Jeselnik desclares himself "the new Don Rickles" because of his ability to tell mean jokes

The New York Times

“Comedy is under a microscope today, but because my career has been going on long enough, I’ve been grandfathered in,” said the 40-year-old comedian and star of the new Netflix special Fire in the Maternity Ward. “Not to put myself on that level, but I’m the new Don Rickles. Rickles could get away with things because he’s Rickles.” Jeselnik, who hosted Comedy Central's The Jeselnik Offensive in 2013, considers himself a progressive "woke" comedian who would never be caught complaining about political correctness. “Complaining in comedy is the worst. It’s uncool. I wanted to be cool," he says, adding: “P.C. culture is a good thing, and I could not do what I do without it." ALSO: Jeselnik recalls auditioning for SNL's "Weekend Update."