British comedian Jimmy Carr has weighed in on the growing debate surrounding toxic masculinity, offering his perspective on how to support young men who are “lost”.
Carr was speaking on stage during one of his live comedy shows when an audience member asked for his thoughts on Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary Inside The Manosphere.
The film explores how male influencers cultivate loyal, largely young male audiences through controversial views on gender roles.
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Carr said while he did not agree with what these controversial creators were preaching, he believed there was some “respect” to be given for their attempts to reach young men.
“I don’t like what they’re saying to young men but I like the fact that they’re talking to young men,” Carr said.
“You have to respect there is some intent there.
“The content’s terrible but the intent of talking to young men that are lost is valuable but we just need better voices talking to young men.
“We can’t marginalise them.”
His comments drew applause from the crowd, as Carr went on to argue the positive aspects of masculinity are often overlooked.
Toxic masculinity is commonly defined by traditional cultural norms associated with manhood that emphasise aggression, emotional suppression and dominance.
“You could be a king or you could be a tyrant,” Carr said.
“You could be a warrior or you could be a sadist.
“You could be an agent of magical transformation or you could be a manipulator.
“You could be a lover or you could be an addict.
“There’s a positive side to masculinity and we’re not talking about that.
“We need to. We need to empower young men.”
Carr then used his signature wit to open up a broader conversation around men’s mental health.
He controversially stated he supported men being part of a gang, as well as drinking and gambling, before quickly clarifying his remarks.
“Let me talk you around, OK?” Carr said.
“Gangs are a really f****** good idea.
“They get some bad press because some of them do shoot people and deal drugs.
“But what I mean by gang is, where should all men be? I’ll tell you, all men should be with other men.
“Men check other men. Guys keep other guys in line, right? It’s good.”
Carr went on to argue that, in the same way, men gathering at a pub to drink, play pool and listen to music with friends can act as a form of therapy.
“They (pubs) have been proven to work for men’s mental health for the last 200 years,” Carr said.
“I don’t want them drinking in the park. I want them with other men in a space where there’s grown-ups around.
“And that’s how you learn. That’s what a society is. It’s a good idea.”
Inside the Manosphere
Louis Theroux’s Inside The Manosphere is a 90-minute documentary exploring the influencers and content creators advocating for hyper-masculinity.
The film examines how these figures build loyal, largely young male audiences through controversial views on gender roles.
Theroux interviews prominent figures in the space, observing how they operate and monetise their content.
The documentary features creators including high-profile UK streamer Harrison Sullivan, also known as HS TikkyTokky, and US real estate investor Justin Waller, highlighting their alpha-posturing and luxury lifestyles.
It also underscores how the manosphere is not just an ideology but a lucrative business.
Influencers sell courses, private memberships and coaching.
The film exposes a regressive gender hierarchy in which women are dismissed as less rational, with their value tied primarily to their appearance.
It includes scenes of young, impressionable viewers, as well as influencers themselves, repeating misogynistic slurs and rhetoric.
Theroux frequently probes the childhoods of these creators, searching for explanations in absent fathers or personal insecurities — a tactic some critics say attempts to “humanise” them.
