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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 basics Often 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

Basics Can 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

History Screwball 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

History War 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 America After the war comedies continued to take on war topics: American GIs romantically involved with Europeans Movement of middle class to suburbs Development of new technology Addressed anxiety surrounding the Cold War

History Black 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 militarism Found audience with cynical college-age people Antiwar movement Response to commercialization on TV, in newspapers, and in magazines

History Animal 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 Comedy Documents 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