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“Who’s on First?” is a comedy routine started by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the 1930’s. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most famous comedy bits of all time, but how does the routine compare to the kind of comedy we see today?

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Although stand-up still exists, much of the comedy we’re familiar with comes in the form of political commentary. Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart are just three of the many people who focus on serious news with a comedic spin. These comedians are “blurring whatever line there might be between ‘comedy’ and ‘commentary’” (Garber).

Jokes as Arguments

In the past, comedy was limited to television, radio, or live events. Today, different types of comedy can be viewed all around the world thanks to the internet. Websites like YouTube have revitalized the comedy world, allowing comedy to be shared with the click of a button. Modern comedians have also taken advantage of platforms like podcasts, blog posts, vlogs, and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to share their work.

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Sharing ideas is a pivotal part of what public intellectuals do, and with technology, it has never been easier to communicate with people all over the world. Many comedians, like Trae Crowder, have taken advantage of the digital stage. Crowder posted his first video from his back porch and soon realized that the videos “were a chance to defy the bigots who make [southern] stereotypes seem true” (Crowder 3). Today, thanks to the freedom that technology provides, Crowder shares his ideas to an audience of over 80,000 people.

The Rise of Digital Comedy
"A joke forces you to agree with it, or at least reckon with its truth by acknowledging that it made you smile. Laughter is a pre-analyzed agreement" (Gregory).
“Comedy is taking on subjects like racism and sexism and inequality and issues including police brutality and trigger warnings…jokes double as arguments" (Garber).

It’s easy to see that technology has provided comedians with more freedom in how they share their jokes. However, this freedom means that any and all comedy can be shared with the world, no matter the subject matter.

 

Comedians can say anything under the guise of comedy, many times without criticism. The television show South Park is an example of how comedy can be offensive while still connecting with a large audience.

Shows like South Park force us to think about why a joke – even if it is labeled offensive – is funny. We start to think about the underlying message of the joke, wondering what point the author or comedian is trying to make. This introspection is why many comedians are considered public intellectuals; they are “fashioning themselves not just as joke-tellers, but as truth-tellers [and] moral guides through the cultural debates of the moment” (Garber).

Questions for Discussion:

Are all comedians public intellectuals by nature? Can you be a modern comedian without forcing an audience to take a second look at the world around them?

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Many people believe that some comedy, like South Park, crosses the line from comedy into vulgarity. Can everything be approached with humor, or are there some topics that are ‘off limits’?

 

Would comedians like Abbott and Costello thrive in today’s comedy world and be considered public intellectuals? Why or why not?

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