The comedian, the cat, and the activist: the politics of light seriousness and the (un)serious work of contemporary laughter

Abstract

This article explores three examples of contemporary humour that situate seriousness and unseriousness as important points of departure for theorizing what Anca Parvulescu calls the work and ‘unwork’ of laughter. Through a textual analysis of Louis C.K.'s performative stand-up routines, the mimetic and participatory facets of meme culture at work in the global Nyan Cat phenomenon and in the hoaxing-based activist politics of the Yes Men, this article examines the layers of seriousness attached to what may otherwise be deemed unserious cultural practices. I argue that the relay between unserious content and playful practices may also operate alongside serious political actions that assume unserious and/or humorous guises.

Keywords:

• laughter
• politics
• activism
• trivialism

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ian Reilly

Ian Reilly is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Concordia University. Reilly's research explores the intersections of politics, humour, civic engagement, and media activism. His work has appeared in numerous publications and book collections; in 2012, he was awarded the Carl Bode Award for Outstanding Article published in the Journal of American Culture. His most recent monograph explores media hoaxing as an important twenty-first century cultural practice deployed by activists seeking to galvanize public opinion and to stir much needed political debate. He teaches courses about youth and media, internet politics, media criticism, visual culture, and telecommunications policy.