Because I Tell a Joke or Two by Stephen Wagg

Because I Tell a Joke or Two by Stephen Wagg

Because I Tell a Joke or Two explores the complex relationship between comedy and the social differences of class, region, age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and nationhood. It shows how comedy has been used to sustain, challenge and to change power relationships in society. The contributors, who include Stephen Wagg, Mark Simpson, Stephen Small, Paul Wells and Frances Williams, offer readings of comedy genres, texts and performers in Britain, the United States and Australia. The collection also includes an interview with the comedian Jo Brand. Topics addressed include: * women in British comedies such as Butterflies and Fawlty Towers * the life and times of Viz, from Billy the Fish to the Fat Slags * queer readings of Morecambe and Wise, the male double act * the Marx brothers and Jewish comedy in the United States * black radical comedy in Britain * The Golden Girls, Cheers, Friends and American society.

'This is a refreshingly intelligent and engaging book, offering a wide range of critical, sociological and theoretical approaches to recent trends in television comedyWragg's collection is at once very contemporary in its feel and aware of current comedy's cultural heritage; so Seinfeld, is considered alongside I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H and Cheers.' - Sight&Sound

Stephen Wagg is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sport Studies at Roehampton Institute, London. His previous books include Come on Down? and The Social Faces of Humour.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780415129213
ISBN 10	0415129214
Title	Because I Tell a Joke or Two
Author	Stephen Wagg
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Taylor & Francis Ltd
Year published	1998-02-12
Number of pages	336
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.