Humorinamerica
MY BLOGS
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Humor in America
http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/
“Humor in America” (HA!) is a blog dedicated to the discussion of humor and humor studies in America. Authors retain copyright to their work as posted. *********************************************************** "The great virtue of humor is that it is philosophizing in action, a bright silver thread in the great duvet of existence. And one can easily engage in it for an hour or two every day." --Simon Critchley, On Humour
LATEST ARTICLES ( 325 )
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Sick Jokes After Newtown: Internet Humor as Media Counter-narrative
A poignant “too soon” jokeMatthew Daube’s recent piece pointed out The Onion‘s unique role in responding to tragic events like those in Newtown a few weeks ago. Read more
Posted on 01 January 2013 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Editor’s Chair: The End of the Year…
Tracy WusterWhile the “end of the world” (again) proved to be a time of revelry and mockery, the end of the year tends to be a time of reflection–from public... Read more
Posted on 27 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas.
It’s a poignant time of year. At odd moments our own mixed bag of memories, inklings and emotions may take us by surprise. We tell ourselves it’s not the time t... Read more
Posted on 20 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
The Onion and How Comedy Deals with Tragedy (Or Not)
Posted on 18 December 2012 DEBATE, HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Editor’s Chair: Humor Studies News
Tracy Wuster Hello readers. Two calls for papers out now for Humor Studies–one from the AHSA and one from the Humor Studies Caucus of the American Studies... Read more
Posted on 16 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Laughing with Laugh Tracks
Teaching American Humor: Laughing with Laugh TracksMy life would be better with a laugh track. My writing would be better, too. Read more
Posted on 13 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
In the Archives: Thomas Nast and Santa Claus (1862-1890)
Ho! Ho! Ho!I can remember my first scholarly thought. Well, I should say that I can visualize the context of my first scholarly thought. Read more
Posted on 10 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
It’s the holidays – that all-encompassing term we use to describe this time of year when we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, Kwanzaa, th... Read more
Posted on 06 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Painfully Funny
Even before I got cancer, my favorite kind of humor was the type you might call “painfully funny.” One of my favorite short stories, to read and to teach, is... Read more
Posted on 05 December 2012 HUMOR -
Editor’s Chair: 100k Views
Tracy Wuster, Founding EditorFrom time to time, I have seen fit to print reports on the general progress of this website as a publishing venture. Read more
Posted on 03 December 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Into the Mystic
Raegan and I were standing atop the rocks at Whipple Hill, a hundred acres of woodsy conservation land back in Lexington, MA, my hometown. Raegan was giddy,... Read more
Posted on 26 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Sunday Stand-Up: Temporary Retirement (+ Louis C.K.)
Tracy Wuster, Editor For the time being, or maybe permanently (who knows?), we are retiring the “Stand-up Sunday” (or “Sunday Stand-Up”) feature. All Sunday... Read more
Posted on 25 November 2012 ENTERTAINMENT, HUMOR -
Thanksgiving, Puritans and Rap?
Thanksgiving is my favorite annual celebration. I love preparing the traditional meal, filling the house with guests, saying grace and sharing reflections of... Read more
Posted on 20 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Stand-up Sunday: Tony Clifton Won’t Die
Stand-up comedy derives much of its power from the use of the performer’s personal life. Sure, comedians stretch, embellish and outright invent some of the... Read more
Posted on 18 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
In the Archives: Agnes Repplier, “Wit and Humor” (1893)
Tracy Wuster Last time I posted “In the Archives,” I posted William Hazlitt’s “On Wit and Humour” (1818). In her 1893 book, Essays in Idlesness, the critic... Read more
Posted on 15 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Humor Studies at the American Studies Association Conference 2012
Tracy Wuster The Humor Studies Caucus of the American Studies Association organizes a number of panels each year for the annual American Studies Conference.... Read more
Posted on 13 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Stand-Up Sunday: Robin Williams
“It’s the idea of trying the other things that people wouldn’t do.” This is Robin Williams eventual answer to the initial question posed by James Lipton on an... Read more
Posted on 12 November 2012 CELEB, ENTERTAINMENT, HUMOR -
Thanksgiving Dinner: A Musical Menu
Thanksgiving is, in many ways, the quintessential American holiday. There is a purity in its simplicity. Perhaps this is due to the refreshing lack of... Read more
Posted on 08 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
Teaching American Humor: What Should Be Taught?
Here is your challenge: come up with a syllabus of material for a course on American Humor. Good luck with that. First, count yourself lucky. Read more
Posted on 06 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY -
The Election! Zombies, Dogs, and White People! Humor and Politics in Short...
Tracy Wuster The election is upon us. If you live in a swing state, I am sure you are sick to death of political commercials. If you live in Texas, like me, I a... Read more
Posted on 04 November 2012 HUMOR, SOCIETY