Are contemporary audiences too sensitive for stand-up comedy or are comedians out of touch with evolving social norms about acceptable subjects for comedy?
Is rape an acceptable subject for comedy? And if so, who can tell a rape joke onstagemen, women, or only someone who has experienced some type of sexual trauma? Check out Katherine Leytons article Laughing it Off in Rhetoric of Humor to look at some of her arguments as you begin.
Comedian Dave Chappelles latest Netflix special The Closer has been the subject of intense controversy because of what many commentators believe is his attack on the LGBTQ and Trans community. Other commentators, however, disagreed, arguing that Chappelle made insightful if unpopular comparisons between support for the trans community and race. Watch the special and make an argument where you side on the issue.
Queer Tasmanian stand-up comedian Hannah Gadsbys 2018 Netflix special Nanette divided comedy audiences when it was released. Many believed her show was not a comedy because it did not adhere to the conventions of contemporary stand-up comedy; others believed that Gadsbys performance opened up new possibilities for the future of comedy. Watch the special and tell me what you think. You may want to check out Jennifer Reeds article Sexual Outlaw: Queer in a Funny Way before you begin your article.
Should comedians who have been accused of racism, sexism, or homophobia be canceled? The most recent example of a canceled comedian is Louis C.K. after several women reported the comedian had displayed inappropriate sexual behavior around them. If you do agree that comedians that cross certain lines should lose jobs, opportunities, and their status with audiences what are those lines that cannot be crossed? Do you think canceling is an effective way to reinforce social norms or does it merely punish the comedian and potentially create a backlash?
These are just a few ideas. A minimum of (3) secondary sources will be needed to support your argument. One of these sources can be an essay from our textbook. You may even use two or three essays from our text. But you would still need to find at least two articles outside of our textbook that weighs in on some of these issues. In fact, finding commentaries about controversies in comedy should not be hard to find online or through our library database as it is a popular subject of debate and inquiry these days.
A successful paper will:
Follow the instructions of the essay prompt
Contain a strong and clear thesis that addresses the question in the prompt
Show evidence of organization
Provide well-balanced support paragraphs that provide support and evidence for your thesis
Include a minimum of at least (3) outside sources (two of which must be articles outside of our textbook)
Include a section in your paper for counterarguments and rebuttals
Integrate feedback from your essay into the final draft
Be carefully edited and proofread
Meet the minimum word count
Adhere to MLA format, including works cited page as the last page of your paper
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