Bibliograph

Behind the laughs, community and inequality in comedy, Michael P. Jeffries

Type

Label

Behind the laughs, community and inequality in comedy, Michael P. Jeffries

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 195-207) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Behind the laughs

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

966795208

Responsibility statement

Michael P. Jeffries

Series statement

Culture and economic life

Sub title

community and inequality in comedy

Summary

"Comedy is a brutal business. When comedians define success, they don't talk about money--they talk about not quitting. They work in a business where even big names work for free, and the inequalities of race, class, and gender create real barriers. But they also work in a business where people still believe that hard work and talent lead to the big time. How do people working in comedy sustain these contradictions and keep laughing? In Behind the Laughs, Michael P. Jeffries brings readers into the world of comedy to reveal its dark corners and share its buoyant lifeblood. He draws on conversations with comedians, as well as club owners, bookers, and managers, to show the extraordinary social connections professional humor demands. Not only do comedians have to read their audience night after night, but they must also create lasting bonds across the profession to get gigs in the first place. Comedy is not a meritocracy, and its rewards are not often fame and fortune. Only performers who know the rules of their community are able to make it a career" -- From the publisher

Table Of Contents

Lights -- Chemistry of a comedian -- From funny to family -- Succeeding at not failing -- Celebrity in the making -- Privilege, patriarchy, and performance -- Curtains

Classification