'Beyond a Joke' Comedy, Identity and Offence Research Seminar Series

Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) 'Beyond a Joke' Comedy, Identity and Offence Research Seminar Series

12 October 2016, 16:30 - 18:30

Brunel University London, Hamilton Centre, Newton North, UB8 3PH,Uxbridge

Comedy, Class and Offence

What are the roles of comedians and comic discourses in shaping discussions of class and offence in contemporary society? How do our identities shape responses to comedy that draws on social class? What are the range of responses to comedy that draws on social class? What is the relationship between comedy, offensiveness and the maintenance, disruption and deconstruction of 'social cohesion' in contemporary plural democracies? To what extent are there, or should there be, ethical limits for comedians and comic discourses in relation to class? These questions, and more, will be explored by a panel of experts at the Comedy, Class and Offence panel seminar. 

Confirmed speakers include:

​Mark Boosey: has been running British Comedy Guide for over 10 years. Comedy.co.uk delivers news, features, programme guides, and more besides to over 500,000 visitors a month. BCG compiles guides to the 800+ hours of new comedy broadcast on TV and radio each year, as well as covering films, online comedy and the live comedy circuit.

Leon Hunt: is a Senior Lecturer in Film and TV Studies at Brunel University London. His publications on British comedy include the books British Low Culture: From Safari Suits to Sexploitation, a BFI monograph on The League of Gentlemen and Cult British TV Comedy: From Reeves and Mortimer to Psychoville.

Giselinde Kuipers: is Professor of Cultural Sociology and Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Amsterdam. She is the author of Good Humor, Bad Taste: A Sociology of the Joke as well as numerous articles on humour, media, cultural globalization, transnational culture and beauty.

James Meehan: is a multi award-winning comedian who has just returned from this year's Edinburgh Fringe where his debut solo hour, Class Act, a stand-up comedy show on classism in the arts garnered critical praise.

Chaired by John Roberts: Head of Department of Social Sciences, Media and Communications and Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Communications, Brunel University London.

Please email Comedy.Studies@brunel.ac.uk to reserve your place.

Everyone very welcome. We look forward to you joining us for a lively discussion