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American Comedy

“Jokes function, on an individual level, as a form of liberation; they provide those who laugh at them with a necessary, therapeutic release from the serious worries and cares that oppress the

average human being” Sigmund Freud

Genre basicsOften addresses serious social and cultural

topics

Since comedy is rarely taken seriously, it can usually deal with serious topics more openly than other, more serious, genres

Often incorporates political incorrectness with topics that include sexuality, race, gender, ethnicity, social class, etc.

Often deals with the process by which differences are bridged

BasicsCan disrupt the orderly process of society by

unleashing chaos and disorder

Functions as a cultural safety valve – lets off steam of daily life

Considered the genre of the people – includes people and situations from all social classes

Profoundly social – often shows social change as positive – usually more about how characters handle change than the change itself

History of American Comedy

Slapstick – 1920’s – series of gags and physical comedy – “pie in the face” comedy – refers to the sticks silent film clowns used to hit each other with

Romantic comedies – 1930’s – tended to be set in sophisticated world of aristocracy – dealt with ladies and gentlemen – made fun of the social rules of the aristocracy

Low slapstick routines were kept separate from high class romantic comedies

HistoryScrewball comedies – 1930’s – combined high

comedy (such as romantic comedies) with slapstick – focused on conflicts – usually started with an existing couple on the verge of breaking up but would end with a reconciliation

Thesis Comedy – 1930’s/40’s – made a “statement” – rooted in political consciousness – had social value

HistoryWar Comedies – 1940’s (esp. WWII) – crucial role

in boosting morale – provided comic relief for the war and about problems at home – looked to restore traditional values of small town AmericaAfter the war comedies continued to take on war

topics:American GIs romantically involved with EuropeansMovement of middle class to suburbsDevelopment of new technology

Addressed anxiety surrounding the Cold War

HistoryBlack Comedy of the 1960’s – comedies that

make fun of dark topics like death, morbidity, and murder – military often source of dark humor – M*A*S*H* Critique of the Cold War, governmental

bureaucracies, and American militarismFound audience with cynical college-age peopleAntiwar movementResponse to commercialization on TV, in

newspapers, and in magazines

HistoryAnimal comedies –80’s – Animal House – interest

in adolescent sexuality, graphic grossness, and celebration of vulgarity in general

Family comedies – 90’s – more traditional – deep-seated anxiety about the nuclear family – esp. guilt felt by parents of latchkey children

Geek comedy – social misfits (often teens) who take no interest in their appearance, function as awkward romantic leads, often opposite very attractive women – often includes awkward sexual issues – Juno

Importance of ComedyDocuments growing pains of America

Underlying social agenda – address controversial issues in such a disarming way that the controversy is overlooked

Can help viewers seriously question social problems