Political Comedy and Satire in the Real World…and also the Capitol StepsPolitical comedy and satire have been viable forms of communication for centuries, providing an outlet for transmitting political commentary and opinion in both flattering and unflattering ways. In the contemporary era, there has been a rise in the use of political comedy on television, but there are numerous other outlets where satire and comedy shed light on political realities. Political cartoons, stand-up comedians, blogs and websites, social media and memes, and music or other live-art performances have the power to convey information, form or shape opinions, and even influence or motivate political participation.
The purpose of this course will be to explore the connections between comedy and satire, and politics. As American politics have become more hyper-partisan and bitter, it would seem that political comedy has increased in attention, becoming more popular. In 2009, a TIME Online poll cited Jon Stewart as the most trusted news anchor since the death of Walter Cronkite. A “fake” news program on a cable comedy channel became a legitimate source of news, including spawning multiple offspring. At a time when politicians, including the president, members of Congress, and pundits accuse actual news of being fake, can fake news inform and influence public discourse, policy debates, and politics?
This course will examine the rise of political comedy in the modern era, beginning in the 1960s by examining how stand-up comedians began to use their platform to address social and political issues, leading to television comedy like the Smothers Brothers. Moving through time to the establishment of Saturday Night Live, to the late night comedy legends, to the Daily Show and its offshoots. The course will also examine other outlets beyond television and stand-up, including print and political cartoons, online comedy websites like the Onion, and other outlets.
A bonus for this course is that the Capitol Steps will be coming to perform at the University of Florida. The Capitol Steps is a live performance group that creates song parodies and skits centered on topical issues of the day. Their website states, “The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them.” As part of this course, the entire class will go to a Capitol Steps performance at the Phillips Center and use the show as a discussion center-piece for the final portion of the course.
Thursday, period 7 (1:55 – 2:45pm) in 119 Little Hall
Kevin M. Baron, PhD
Office Hours: Tuesday, 10am to Noon
Wednesday, 11am to 1pm
By Appointment as Needed
Office: 224 Pugh Hall (Bob Graham Center)
Email: kbaron76@ufl.edu