Description
Taking a Stand: Contemporary US Stand-Up Comedians as Public Intellectuals draws together essays that contribute to the analysis of the stand-up-comedian-as-public intellectual since the 1980s. The chapters explore stand-up comedians as contributors to and shapers of public discourse via their live performances, podcasts, social media presence, and political activism.
Each chapter highlights a stand-up comedian and their ongoing discussion of a cultural issue or expression of a political ideology/standpoint: Lisa Lampanelli's use of problematic postracial humor, Aziz Ansari's merging of sociology and technology, or Maria Bamford's emphasis on mental health, to name just a few. Taking a Stand offers a starting point for understanding the work stand-up comedians do as well as its reach beyond the stage. Comedians influence discourse, perspectives, even public policy on myriad issues, and this book sets out to take those jokes seriously.
Contributions by Jared N. Champion, Miriam M. Chirico, Thomas Clark, David R. Dewberry, Christopher J. Gilbert, David Gillota, Kathryn Kein, Rob King, Rebecca Krefting, Peter C. Kunze, Linda Mizejewski, Aviva Orenstein, Raul Perez, Philip Scepanski, Susan Seizer, Monique Taylor, Ila Tyagi, and Timothy J. Viator.
About the Author
Jared N. Champion is assistant professor of writing and interdisciplinary studies at Mercer University. He is editor of Cliffs and Challenges: A Young Woman Explores Yosemite, 1915-1917.
Peter C. Kunze is visiting assistant professor of communication at Tulane University. He is editor of The Films of Wes Anderson: Critical Essays on an Indiewood Icon and Conversations with Maurice Sendak, the latter published by University Press of Mississippi. He is coeditor of American-Australian Cinema: Transnational Connections.
Book Information
ISBN 9781496835499
Author Jared N. Champion
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint University Press of Mississippi
Publisher University Press of Mississippi
Weight(grams) 333g