Ben Elton is bringing his new live show, Authentic Stupidity, to Newcastle in March.
The award-winning author, playwright and actor is known for his observational stand-up comedy and astute social commentary.
And he doesn't like what he sees.
His new live show, Authentic Stupidity, is based on the premise that even though Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an existential threat to humanity that promises to render all human life meaningless, it's the authentic stupidity of humans that we should be worried about.
"I use AI as a hook from which to hang what I do, which is exploring the absurdity of the human condition, starting with myself," Elton told the Newcastle Herald last week.
"The world is so complicated and terrifying that being stupid is a very tempting and comfortable option, and unscrupulous politicians have recognised this and they're encouraging people to be stupid.
"Stupidity is being weaponised. It could destroy the planet."
You can read what else he had to say about humanity in Saturday's Weekender.
Elton's multi-award-winning career spans four decades and includes seminal and groundbreaking television shows (The Young Ones, Blackadder, Upstart Crow), West End plays (Popcorn, Upstart Crow), West End musicals (We Will Rock You, The Beautiful Game, Close up: The Twiggy Musical), best-selling novels (Stark, Dead Famous, Two Brothers) and feature films (Maybe Baby, Three Summers, All is True).
His Channel 4 one-off revival of Friday Night Live won the BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Programme 2023.
Elton was last in Newcastle in 2021.
