Comedy Book

July 1, 2023
A comedy critic charts the history and evolution of American comedy. "This is a love story," writes Vulture senior editor Fox, invoking the famous quote from Season 2 of Fleabag. The author is a proud "member of the Seinfeld generation, a term I just made up to refer to the sort of millennial who grew up watching Seinfeld and, in turn, always knowing and caring about what goes into a stand-up's comedy." That passion for comedy led to this book, which "focuses on comedy made from 1990 through the early 2020s. This is the period in which millennials, and then Gen Z, emerged as cultural consumers." Over the course of the narrative, Fox charts the history of comedy, evolving from "joke-jokes," joke-book jokes that "have been around for millennia," and comedians' jokes, "a complete comedic idea." Each chapter focuses on a different theme, including stand-up, "the most extreme example of comedy's natural selection" that spans minstrel shows of the 1830s to vaudeville to the comedy clubs of the 1960s and '70s; a thoughtful assessment of how, for better or worse, humor ages; a game defense of lowbrow humor, in which Fox wisely notes that "lowbrow does not mean low quality"; the immense influence of Jon Stewart's Daily Show and the ways in which "comedy does and does not foster political progress"; the personal, confessional work of such figures as Hannah Gadsby and Jerrod Carmichael; and the rise of alternative comedy. The author occasionally tries too hard to be funny--e.g., "Seinfeld was less Waiting for Godot and more waiting for good joke"--but he's clearly passionate about his subject and has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern humor. This book is like the work of a good comedian: inevitably hit or miss, but the best bits are comedy gold. A well-informed, appreciative assessment of the current state of comedy.

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Starred review from September 11, 2023
This electric debut from Vulture editor Fox serves up trenchant observations on the roles context, laughter, timing, and other factors play in comedic movies, television shows, and standup sets from 1990 through the early 2020s. Expounding on the craft of standup, Fox discusses how Chris Rock adopts a deliberately amateurish stage presence while testing out new material to see which jokes inspire laughter despite his stilted performance. The author has a knack for finding revelations in unexpected places, as when he mounts an oddly stirring defense of Adam Sandler’s scatological humor, which, Fox suggests, serves to relieve the shame associated with pooping and the pressure adults feel to deny their juvenile side. Fox’s arguments are as stimulating as they are unexpected; for instance, he suggests that “comedy doesn’t need to make people laugh” and is instead the “art of manipulating funny,” pointing out how the profundity of Hannah Gadsby’s standup special Nanette arises from the contrast between the joke-heavy beginning of the show and the serious ending. There are fresh perspectives on every page, and the style is as humorous as one would expect (“I was an actual child once. I know, hard to believe, but it’s true,” he writes while contemplating the enduring appeal of his childhood favorite, The Simpsons). Brilliant and a pleasure to read, this raises the bar for comedy studies.

October 1, 2023
With each generation, the role of comedy in entertainment, politics, and society evolves. This superfan's epic history of the last few decades in American humor primarily focuses on stand-up, movies, and television. Comedy critic and podcaster Fox explores the impact of Adam Sandler and the Simpsons, the role of The Daily Show on a generation of voters, how Saturday Night Live addressed the 9/11 attacks, and more. He digs deep into the comedic legacy of the controversial comedian Louis CK, who was accused of extensive and severe sexual misconduct. Every page is packed with dozens of pop culture references to figures and media from the recent past, making this a perfect read for millennials who, like Fox, grew up with the comedy material on offer. Fox also explores contemporary issues in comedy, such as artificial intelligence, image-focused social media domination, political correctness, and a political landscape populated by celebrities. This book is more a journey through pop culture than it is a guide to craft, but comedy nerds will rejoice.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2023

Vulture editor Fox (host of the podcast Good One) covers the past 30 years of comedy in this engaging assessment of the art form. Relaying how he has seen Chris Rock bomb while performing stand up on three separate occasions, Fox discusses how vital the audience is for comedians testing new material. Sections about The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and right-leaning podcasts critique the political landscape and discuss how audiences have come to trust these outlets more than traditional news. A deep dive into Dave Chappelle's career demonstrates how some comedians cross a line when they don't heed to their audience's calls to drop discriminatory and bigoted jokes from their acts. The book sufficiently utilizes research, interviews, and Fox's own recollections to explore the evolution of comedy. Formats ranging from comedy clubs to TikTok videos receive the same reverence. A highlight is a breakdown of how one skit from Netflix's I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson birthed thousands of memes--taking it out of context for more laughs. VERDICT Covering a variety of styles, this book's ode to comedy will entice readers who enjoy contemplative pop-culture reads.--Anjelica Rufus-Barnes

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