Using Comedy Parody and Sa*re Two similar modes, subtle difference •  Parody •  Sa*re •  Two historical and common forms of sa*re; Iconoclasm, and the Role Of The Court Jester Parody •  Where the style of one ar*st, genre, or specific media work directly imitates the style of another, using exaggera*on for comedic effect. The “…Movie” Films •  Scary Movie, Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, etc. •  These films directly appropriate the conven*ons of “genre” and exploita*on films. •  AppropriaBon is the act of taking something for your own use without the owner’s consent or involvement. Mel Brooks (and his enBre career) Example: Weird Al Self‐Parody Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle SaBre By DefiniBon •  Using humor, irony, exaggera*on, and ridicule to expose vice, ignorance, or perceived stupidity, especially with regard to topical social or poli*cal issues. •  Sa*re sets up a fic*onal situa*on that is an exaggerated parallel to real life. •  Sa*re is primarily tenden*ous Example: A Modest Proposal •  WriQen by Jonathan SwiS in 1729. •  Proposes that poor Irish ci*zens in the 1700s should sell their children to the rich for food. •  Mocks the heartlessness of certain short‐
sighted social programs designed to ease overcrowding and economic hardship Example: Network The Difference between Parody and SaBre •  Remember our discussion of tenden*ousness: •  Parody has no specific poli*cal or social agenda. •  Sa*re is almost en*rely poli*cal and socially loaded (is tenden*ous) A form of saBre: Iconoclasm •  Comes from the historical prac*ce of destroying the statues and physical icons of a religion or poli*cal party for revolu*onary purposes. •  A purposeful, destruc*ve act against a deeply revered idea or concept Saddam Statue (2003) Wall St Bull (Olek, 2011) Is some*mes more symbolic and playful than violent. The Comedy Central Roasts All about the playful, tenden*ous destruc*on of cultural icons The Court Jester •  The court jester is an historical figure that was hired by monarchs to make jokes and cri*cize the rulers at sanc*oned *mes. •  These sanc*oned fools oSen held a posi*on of esteem within the royal household. •  This tradi*on officially died off, but bits of it remain in our popular culture. Stephen Colbert at the 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner •  Colbert is invited to sa*rize President George W. Bush and the Washington press corps at a dinner hosted by the White House. •  By adop*ng a fic*onal and exaggerated conserva*ve persona, he ironically argues for the legi*macy of unpopular domes*c and foreign policies. Recap •  Parody and Sa*re are similar, but differ with respect to their inten*on. •  Sa*re is tenden*ous, especially with subversive poli*cal or social intent. •  Iconoclasm is a willful destruc*on or defacement of a physical or ideological symbol. •  The court jester is allowed by those in power to deflate the pomposity of that power. Office Space (Mike Judge 1999) •  What topics does this film sa*rize? •  What role does iconoclasm serve? Is it physical, playful, or otherwise?