This book explores stand-up comedy as a relevant sociological phenomenon from a contemporary perspective, as both a symptom of neoliberal capitalism and the locus specificus of socio-political critique in the era of Empire. It draws a feasible connection between the conspicuous rise in the art form's popularity over the past number of years and the dehumanizing and fracturing processes of the current dispensation that are increasingly becoming the defining experience of life in the contemporary era, and to which, understood ...
Read More
This book explores stand-up comedy as a relevant sociological phenomenon from a contemporary perspective, as both a symptom of neoliberal capitalism and the locus specificus of socio-political critique in the era of Empire. It draws a feasible connection between the conspicuous rise in the art form's popularity over the past number of years and the dehumanizing and fracturing processes of the current dispensation that are increasingly becoming the defining experience of life in the contemporary era, and to which, understood in terms of the traditional humor theory of relief (of which Sigmund Freud is key), comedy serves as an obvious palliative. More than this, Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential in Mass Culture, in the Context of the Neoliberal Domain of 'Empire' questions the possibility of a contemporary aesthetics of humor, given that much of the art form is disseminated and controlled by the mass media, and as such complicit in its work. In particular, it argues that the ideological situation of global capitalism poses an obvious predicament for the possibility of a socio-politically efficacious stand-up comedy in that ironic and skeptical distance is already characteristic of postmodern cynicism, incorporated into the social fabric itself, effectively rendering the comedic technique of satire (synonymous with so-called 'political comedy') altogether appropriated, or at least compromised, and subsequently impotent. From where then does a site of resistance emerge? Through an analysis of a range of contemporary televisual, digital and literary examples from the comedic routines of American comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, South African satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys, and South African born (and now American comedic talk-show sensation) Trevor Noah, this book argues that a contemporary 'political comedy' is reliant on a structuring aesthetic logic built around dissent, disruption and difference.
Read Less
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $50.00, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Minor shelf and handling wear, overall a clean solid copy with minimal signs of use. An excellent copy, gently worn; Secure packaging for safe delivery.
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $85.02, good condition, Sold by Madison Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from HAGERSTOWN, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Ships same day or next. Cover has minor damage but text is very good. This is a damaged return that has never been read or used. Expedited shipping available at checkout for domestic orders.
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $100.22, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $119.17, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $132.59, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
Add this copy of Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up's Dissident Potential to cart. $140.03, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Lexington Books.
