Synopses & Reviews
Humor is pervasive in contemporary culture, and is generally celebrated as a public good. Yet there are times when it is felt to produce intolerance, misunderstanding or even hatred. This book brings together, for the first time, contributions that consider the ethics as well as the aesthetics of humor. The book focuses on the abuses and limits of humor, some of which excite considerable social tension and controversy.
Beyond a Joke is an exciting intervention, full of challenging questions and issues.
About the Author
Sharon Lockyer is Lecturer in Media Studies, De Montfort University.
Michael Pickering is Reader in Culture and Communications at Loughborough University.
Table of Contents
Notes on Contributors * Introduction: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Humour and Comedy--S.Lockyer & M.Pickering * Comic Racism and Violence; M.Billig * Race and Ethnicity in Popular Humour--D.Howitt & K.Owusu-Bempah * Humour and the Conduct of Politics--J.Morreall * Parody and Decorum: Permission to Mock--J.Palmer * Breaking the Mould: Conversations with Omid Djalili and Shazia Mirza--S.Lockyer & M.Pickering * Merry Hell: Humour Competence and Social Incompetence--K.Willis * Privacy, Embarrassment and Social Power: British Sitcom--F.Gray * Comedies of Sexual Morality and Female Singlehood--D.Chambers * The Ambiguities of Comic Impersonation--M.Pickering & S.Lockyer * Bibliography * Index