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Using Humor to Discuss Serious Subjects

Humor

You are here: Archive / Terms / Topics / Humor
Culture Crash 21-27: What’s So Funny About Dave?

Culture Crash: What’s So Funny About Dave?

>> July 4, 2021

The Hulu comedy, Dave, is a fictional story about the sensationalized rapper, Lil Dicky. The show look like many other comedies at first but is actually jam-packed with well-thought out jokes and plots. Dave is now streaming on Hulu and FXX.

topics covered: FXX, Hulu, Humor, Media and Entertainment, TV Series
ListenCulture Crash: What’s So Funny About Dave?

Culture Crash: The Evolution of Comedian Bo Burnham

>> June 27, 2021

Bo Burnham has taken on many roles throughout his career. We discuss his latest project, Inside, now streaming on Netflix.

topics covered: COVID-19 Pandemic, Culture and the Arts, Humor, Media and Entertainment, Movies, Netflix
ListenCulture Crash: The Evolution of Comedian Bo Burnham

Served Up: Poetry With a Side of Dark Humor

>> May 31, 2020

The Epic of Gilgamesh is thought to be the oldest epic poem ever written, created in 2000 BCE. Throughout time, poetry has stayed constant, with greats like Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Henry Thoreau publishing cherished works still topical today. John Kenney is a modern poet whose work is frequently featured in the New Yorker. He’s best known for his …

topics covered: Communication, Culture and the Arts, Humor, Literature and Writing, Poetry
ListenServed Up: Poetry With a Side of Dark Humor

Culture Crash: The Joy of TV Comedy Specials

>> February 23, 2020

Sometimes you don't want a critically acclaimed show or Oscar-worthy movie, but rather something funny like a cheesy rom-com or a bit of classic stand-up. We discuss two Bo Burnham comedy specials that are now streaming on Netflix.

topics covered: Humor, Media and Entertainment, Netflix, Streaming Media, TV Series
ListenCulture Crash: The Joy of TV Comedy Specials
culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: The Funny and Philosophical TV comedy, The Good Place

>> September 23, 2018

Two years ago, NBC debuted a strange new comedy show called The Good Place. It was written by Michael Schur, a writer on The Office and the creator of Parks & Recreation, so people were willing to get it a change… but it’s logline was pretty out-there. It’s a half-hour comedy about people who died in the afterlife and, specifically, about Eleanor …

topics covered: Humor, Media and Entertainment, Netflix, Philosophy and Ethics, Pop Culture, TV Series
ListenCulture Crash: The Funny and Philosophical TV comedy, The Good Place

Serious Play: Using tactical performance as protest (2018)

>> July 29, 2018

We all love a good theater performance. But are theater and performance good strategies to affect social change? Our guest thinks so. He’s a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.

topics covered: Commentary and Criticism, Communication, History, Humor, Media and Entertainment, Philosophy and Ethics, Protest, Societal Issues, Sociology, Theater
ListenSerious Play: Using tactical performance as protest (2018)
culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: The Life of Funnyman Robin Williams

>> July 29, 2018

A new documentary from HBO, Come Inside My Mind, explores the life of actor Robin Williams as told by his friends and family. The documentary is cleverly narrated by the actor himself using audio from earlier interviews.

topics covered: Aging and Death, American Culture and History, HBO Max, Humor, Media and Entertainment, Mental Health, Movies, Pop Culture
ListenCulture Crash: The Life of Funnyman Robin Williams
How Comedy Became King

How Comedy Became King

>> June 24, 2018

Comedy is all around us: all over social media, in advertisements, even on church signs. Former Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings says that while it can be fun, it does come at a cost when jokes are made in arenas where they're inappropriate. We discuss the history and impact of jokes on our culture.

topics covered: Advertising/Marketing and Consumerism, Communication, Humor, Media and Entertainment, Social Media and Internet, Societal Issues, Sociology
ListenHow Comedy Became King
Making Philosophy Relatable Through Humor

Making Philosophy Relatable Through Humor

>> February 11, 2018

Authors Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein use humor to explain philosophical beliefs from deep thinkers, like Immanuel Kant and John Locke.

topics covered: Education, Humor, Literature and Writing, Philosophy and Ethics
ListenMaking Philosophy Relatable Through Humor
culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: NBC’s The Good Place and Serialized Comedy

>> September 17, 2017

Traditionally, a sitcom show is episodic: you don’t necessarily need to see every episode. But NBC’s The Good Place embraces a serialized structure, which gives it a unique feel.

topics covered: Humor, Media and Entertainment, Netflix, Pop Culture, TV Series
ListenCulture Crash: NBC’s The Good Place and Serialized Comedy
culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: Aziz Ansari Has a Lot to Say in “Master of None”

>> May 14, 2017

This weekend, you may have noticed a Netflix banner for the new season of Master of None. The show was created by, and stars, comedian Aziz Ansari and made a big splash in the fall of 2015 when it first debuted.

topics covered: Culture and the Arts, Family and Interpersonal Relationships, Humor, Media and Entertainment, Movies, Netflix, Pop Culture, Streaming Media, TV Series
ListenCulture Crash: Aziz Ansari Has a Lot to Say in “Master of None”

Using Tactical Performance as Protest (2016)

>> July 31, 2016

This week's guest, Larry Bogad is a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.

topics covered: Civil Rights and Activism, Commentary and Criticism, Communication, History, Human Rights, Humor, Labor Rights and Wages, Media and Entertainment, Philosophy and Ethics, Protest, Societal Issues, Sociology, Theater
ListenUsing Tactical Performance as Protest (2016)
How Humor Helps Us Deal with Serious Topics (2016 version)

How Humor Helps Us Deal with Serious Topics

>> January 10, 2016

Sometimes talking about serious subjects - even with friends and family - can cause arguments and bad feelings. Our guests are two very talented and funny people who use humor, satire and irony to make their points about women in science and technology, and the immigrant experience.

topics covered: Commentary and Criticism, Communication, Humor, Psychology and Psychiatry, Sociology
ListenHow Humor Helps Us Deal with Serious Topics

Comedy And Comedians, How Do They Get So Funny?

>> July 5, 2015

Everyone likes a good comedy show, and these days there seems to be a comedian around every corner. Comedy club comics, television shows, movies and plays that try to make us laugh at the absurdities of life are very popular, but did you ever wonder just how they come up with their material? We talk to a veteran comedy writer about the process of writing …

topics covered: Humor, Media and Entertainment
ListenComedy And Comedians, How Do They Get So Funny?
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