This book is the first sustained critical analysis of Cult British TV comedy from 1990 to the present day. The book examines ‘post-alternative’ comedy as both ‘cult’ and ‘quality’ TV, aimed mostly at niche audiences and often possessing a subcultural aura (comedy was famously declared ‘the new ‘rock’n’roll’ in the early ‘90s). It includes case studies of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and the sitcom writer Graham Linehan. It examines developments in sketch shows and the emergence of ‘dark’ and ‘cringe’ comedy, and considers the politics of ‘offence’ during a period in which Brass Eye, ‘Sachsgate’ and Frankie Boyle provoked different kinds of media outrage.
Programmes discussed include Vic Reeves Big Night Out, Peep Show, Father Ted, The Mighty Boosh, The Fast Show and Psychoville. Cult British TV Comedy will be of interest to both students and fans of modern TV comedy.
Tabella dei contenuti
1. From Alternative to Cult: Mapping Post-Alternative Comedy
2. Britain’s Top Light Entertainer and Singer: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer and the Cultification of Light Entertainment
3. ‘Careful now’: Graham Linehan – a Case Study in Post-alternative Sitcom
4. Patchy in Places: Developments in Post-Alternative Sketch Comedy
5. Community and Intimacy – From Laugh Track to Commentary Track
6. The ‘Zooniverse’ and Other (Furnished) Comic Worlds
7. Are You Sitting Uncomfortably? From ‘Cringe’ to ‘Dark’ Comedy
8. Near the knuckle? It nearly took my arm off! British Comedy and the ‘New Offensiveness’
Conclusion
Bibliography
Circa l’autore
Paul Newland is a Lecturer in Film Studies in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University
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