Bladtcast #338 - "The One With The Comedic Studies Conversation"

Christian sits down to chat via Skype with the Chair of Boston College's Communication Department, Matt Sienkiewicz, who is one of the editors of "The Comedy Studies Reader" about their respective comedic upbringings which included the Muppets, Sesame Street and ALF. There's an in-depth discussion about Saturday Night Live, and how the show is often a barometer for what's accepted in comedy from Watergate to 9/11 to today. They also talk about how comedy reflects our society and how it's currently difficult to talk about politics and serious issues on a wide scale, the difficulties in navigating what is a very confusing time for comedy, whether someone will take a chance on a truly nonpartisan approach to comedy, why forays into conservative comedy haven’t worked, how most TV is bad TV. They also discuss how appreciation for M*A*S*H must be generational, navigating the waters of what's appropriate for kids to watch versus what's insufferable and much more! Plus, you can find out how to get a copy of "The Comedy Studies Reader" absolutely free!