Comedy : Blood Demons Will Come And Take Our Children

Which presidential candidate leads the polls? Does belligerent racism personify Trump? Does Hillary have what it takes to deal with her Benghazi baggage? Does Bush have daddy issues? Does Carson pop sleeping pills? Does Sanders have a mind as crazy as his hair? Often, these topics lead to heated debates about who will truly make America great again. The media constantly divulges about “[the] Baggage, the Gaffes and the Billionaires” of the upcoming election (Dickinson and Kelley), and with the 2016 presidential election around the corner, the topic of politics has become a bullet nearly impossible to dodge. Maureen Dowd a disputatious Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times cajoles and educates her audience through the use of emotional appeals, a polemic writing style to argue controversial topics, as well as a dauntless and sardonic tone appealing to the audience, in order to convince the readers of her tenacious viewpoints against political leaders while also captivating and further informing the public about the political parties.

In his introduction he claims no one else controls him: “The sponsor has been identified, but unlike most television programs, the performer hasn't been provided with a script.” While building ethos for himself, he also hints other speakers allow selfish people to manipulate them. To establish Barry Goldwater’s credibility for the presidential office, Reagan illustrates Goldwater’s unselfishness through a series of heart-warming anecdotes. After describing Goldwater freely flying soldiers home for Christmas, Reagan recalls Goldwater’s willingness to spend time with a dying invalid during “the hectic split-second timing of a campaign” simply because “I'd like her to know I care.” Reagan praises Goldwater’s compassion to appeal to the audience’s desire for affection and care.

Bill Hicks was at the brink of fame in the United States, already having a sizeable following in the United Kingdom and other countries across Europe. His controversial stand up act was welcomed by left- leaning Brits who enjoyed his criticisms of the United States (Sullum 1). It is understandable that Hicks had a hard time getting a following in the United Stated considering that his act was considered to be unsuitable for American television. In fact, Hicks had his stand up performance on David Letterman taken off of the air due to its edgy material (Hicks 325). However, in the 21st century comedians with controversial content such as Louis C.K. and Bill Burr sell out theaters in the states, appear on late night talk shows, and even host Saturday Night Live. A comedian like Bill Hicks who made his audience think, and laugh at things they otherwise would not would have been welcomed in 21st century America. Bill Hicks also missed out on a renaissance for social and political commentary, where comedy and politics began to intersect. Regarding social critics in America, Hicks stated “Comedy clubs won’t book ‘em, and America does not take comedy seriously, social criticism seriously.” (Hicks 260). Clearly a lot has changed since Hicks made this statement in 1993, with comedians like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver having successful television programs dedicated to social criticism and political satire. Hicks was even considered to be the host of the show “Politically Incorrect” instead of Bill Maher, but passed away shortly after the show aired (Lahr 29). Bill Hicks died too soon to experience an America that recognizes and respects comedians as serious

Recently I went to the CU Boulder’s Department of Theatre and Dance and saw their play production of 44 Plays for 44 Presidents. This paper is about my critical and analytical response to this play. This historical tragi-comedy was written by Andy Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Chloë Johnston, and Karen Weinberg. The production was directed by Emily K. Harrison, and was performed in the University Theatre. Harrison 's use of comedy juxtaposed with serious moments caused me to understand the importance of the presidential office, and the important role we play in the election.

In the article, “Appropriation of Mainstream News: How Saturday Night Live Changed the Political Discussion”, authors, Angela D. Abel and Michael Barthel, argue that alternative news sources, primarily Saturday Night Live, have changed the means in which we obtain and interpret news and information. The article’s most significant argument is centered around the now famous Saturday Night Live skit in which Tina Fey parodies Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate. In the skit, Fey and Amy Poehler impersonate Palin and Katie Couric’s interview in which Palin struggles to answer Couric’s questions. According to the article, studies found that after the skit was aired, there was a vast increase in

One study looked at how priming impacted voters’ perceptions of candidates in the 2000 election. In this study, researchers used date from the National Annenberg Election Survey to see how public perception of both George W. Bush and Al Gore changed after they went onto a late-night comedy show. The results found that Bush experienced a perceived increase in honesty, inspiration, leadership and warmth; Gore, in contrast, was perceived to be more knowledgeable and caring (Moy, Xenos, & Hess, 2005). One possible reason for this shift in candidate perceptions is that late-night shows often humanize their guests. When a presidential candidate goes on stage, he or she is not off-limits to the host. Everything the candidate has said or done is

Amidst the political chaos America is currently in, some people may find relief in comedian Bill Maher. At times his political-comedic rhetoric may be hard to swallow for both parties, he remains unapologetic for all that he’s said. During this fantastic interview, Tracy Smith engages well with Maher and even seems a little stunned by some of his responses. Smith began to reminisce the origins of Maher’s career: performing on the late night show with Johnny Carson and his first show ‘’politically incorrect,’’ that premiered in 1993. Maher made controversial statements on his show a week after 9/11 and consequently, ABC canceled the show in may 2002. However, Smith seemed a bit shocked when she proposed the question if he regrets the specific

Famous American and political journalists P.J. O’Rourke and Carl Bernstein took the stage at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on March 31, 2016 to discuss current U.S. political and economic issues. Their performance was a part of the John S. Knight Foundation’s lecture series hosted at The University of Akron. Anxious guests talked amongst themselves until the President of The University of Akron, Scott Scarborough took the stage at approximately 7:42 p.m. to explain the night’s roadmap and introduce the evening’s moderator, Dr. John Green. Before talking politics, Dr. John Green, Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute and Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, introduced the two speakers. Their speeches were well intentioned and felt almost too rehearsed. When discussing performance, we often don’t think about politics or political lectures. In a way, I suppose we as a society want to believe that these leaders aren’t acting or performing. Unfortunately, in this year’s presidential race, as well as the debate I attended, it’s all pre-scripted.

1. I was intrigued by Rabiger's distinction between true documentary and propaganda. I had previously thought propaganda to be far more manipulative and malicious in intention, but Rabiger's assertion that even well-meaning filmmakers focusing on a favorite issue can undermine the element of discovery that is inherent in true documentary has caused me to question what I know about propaganda and how my opinions shape what I view as propagandistic.

Through a technical evolution, the modern-day television has become accessible to almost every family in the United States. Allowing a plethora of U.S citizens to view a variety of people and events, even if they find themselves to be hundreds of miles away. This however has not necessarily had a rather positive impact. Since the 1960s, the American presidential elections and events corresponding to the elections have been broadcasted on television. Although this creates a larger audience to be engaged in politics, as a result, public images have become almost as important as a person’s very actions. Through television, an authority figure has the power to manipulate public opinion or alter the complete truth to something far more suited

When a social issue arises, many activists turn to different media outlets to voice their views and demand social change. For decades, actualities- known today as documentaries, have been used to give viewers an inside look on real life without being there to experience it firsthand. Often, directors use these films to persuade the audience into taking their side regarding various societal issues. Filmmakers help sway their targeted audience by using different codes and conventions to appeal their opinion effortlessly to the viewers. It can be seen in the films Kony 2012 by director James Russel, 2002’s

After WWII “political avant-garde” films flourished. These social documentaries challenged political institutions that oppressed the many for the benefit of the few and called for political change taking up causes from feminist movement to Civil rights (Benson 8). This call to action is what Grierson thought documentary films were missing.

Why then is this relevant in the public realm? What can be learned from a comedian just telling jokes? Even if things can be learned, what do you with the information gained from these monologues? Exploring The Age of Spin, Equanimity, and The Bird Revelation may provide some of the answers to these very questions. This paper will attempt to take commentary from these standup routines and find the truth spoken, the relation

In a documentary, the artist is rarely seen, his or her character, personality, and opinion are shown in the shots they choose or the way in which they commentate on their surroundings. A journalist is a main focal point in their piece, they are a recognizable face ever-present in the film. They walk through the environment explaining the events to the viewer face-to-face. A journalist’s opinion or style is often shown in their commentary choices and they way they hold themselves in front of the camera. Their emotion is shown on their

With all of the political turmoil going on late night television shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert have seen a surge in the number of viewers watching. Yet, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon has seen a decline in ratings in recent months. The article attributes this decrease in ratings to the fact that unlike other hosts Jimmy Fallon does not build his brand off of harshly criticizing Trump. Mr. Fallon conducted an interview with the then Republican candidate Trump on his show. Many people were furious at Mr. Fallon saying that he was giggling and fawning all over Trump. Even though Mr. Fallon recognized that many were angered by his actions towards Trump during the interview he still defended himself and stood by his principles.