Beyond a Joke The Limits of Humour [Paperback]

Humour 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 humour. The book focuses on the abuses and limits of humour, some of which excite considerable social tension and controversy. Beyond a Joke is an exciting intervention, full of challenging questions and issues.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

'We all enjoy a good joke but we seldom take humour seriously, examining its role in expressing our anxieties and attitudes to life. This collection of essays, skilfully put together by Sharon Lockyer and Michael Pickering, will not dampen your spirits but cause you to stop and think about the place of the joke - and humour generally - in contemporary society.' - Geoff Lealand, Associate Professor of Screen and Media Studies, University of Waikato, New Zealand

'Beyond A Joke is a timely reminder that cultural analysis can illuminate how the best and worst comedy find their mark on the faultlines of society. This superb collection of essays is indispensable for understanding why debates about humour are central to the politics of public expression.' - Simon Cross, Ll“0