The Comic Offense from Vaudeville to Contemporary Comedy

Rick DesRochers, 2014

Overview

This study explores how contemporary writer-performers draw inspiration from early 20th-century vaudeville comedians. It traces the legacy of vaudeville acts, from the Marx Brothers to early film performers, examining how their influence persists. The book analyzes how modern comic artists use self-branding as a tool for social commentary, challenging stereotypes related to race, class, and gender. It is the first work to investigate contemporary popular comedy's societal impact from this unique historical perspective.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in the history of comedy.
• Fans of contemporary comedians like Larry David, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Dave Chappelle.
• Students of performance studies and cultural commentary.

Key features

• Language: English
• Binding: Hardback
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2014
• Pages: 176
• ISBN: 9781441132321