Beyond a Joke

The Limits of Humour

By: M. Pickering (Editor), S. Lockyer (Editor)

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Paperback | 1 September 2009 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

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224 Pages

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21.6 x 13.8 x 1.4

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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.

Industry Reviews

'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, Lecturer in Communication, Culture& Media, Nottingham Trent University, UK

'This is a serious book about a serious and important topic. Jokes must be permitted in order to be funny - but are all jokes permissible? What about violently racist jokes, or subtle sexism in television sitcoms? The contributors to this volume explore the ethics of humour, from Sex and the City to the Alf Garnett syndrome. They reject the 'just a joke' excuse for the dodge that it is, but humour gets its own back by refusing to be pinned down with easy answers.' Moira Smith, editor of the Journal of Folklore Research

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Society & Culture Media Studies Cultural Studies Popular Culture Reference, Information & Interdisciplinary Subjects Interdisciplinary Studies Literature, Poetry & Plays History & Criticism of Literature General Literary Studies Social Groups Gender Studies

Comedy & Humour Politics & Government Political Control & Freedoms Human Rights Ethnic Studies Ethnic Minorities & Multicultural Studies

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Hardcover

Published: 1st November 2005

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Notes on Contributors
Introduction: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Humour and Comedy
Violent Racist Jokes
Race and Ethnicity in Popular Humour
Humour and the Conduct of Politics
Parody and Decorum: Permission to Mock
Breaking the Mould: Conversations with Omid Djalili and Shazia Mirza
Merry Hell: Humour Competence and Social Incompetence
Privacy, Embarrassment and Social Power: British Sitcom
Comedies of Sexual Morality and Female Singlehood
The Ambiguities of Comic Impersonation
Bibliography
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Beyond a Joke

The Limits of Humour

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Hardcover

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