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Reflects the power dynamics in society
- The concept of punching up and down is important because it reflects the power dynamics in society. When a comedian makes fun of a powerful group, they are using their humour to challenge the status quo and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
thirdeyemalta.com/political-correctness-in-comedy-punching-up-vs-punching-down/Political Correctness in Comedy: Punching Up vs Punching Down
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Sep 2, 2021 · As a comedy writer or stand-up you may have heard the phrase "punch up, not down" or a variation thereof. It's an important comedy guideline that concerns both the ethics and funniness of your material. Understanding and digesting this guideline is key to your success as a funny person.
- Why We Laugh
- Comedy For Survival
- Controlling Public Discourse
Scholars commonly offer three theorieson why we find things funny. First comes ridicule— the notion that we, the audience, are superior to the butt of the joke. Insult comics like Vos ride this oldest train of thought, freighted as it may be. The second theory is surprise, the joyous incongruity awaiting us when the rug is yanked from under us. The...
Being what the great Ojibway writer Drew Hayden Taylor calls “a person of pallor” — white — I can’t imagine the historic and present pain suffered by Indigenous people due to colonialism. But I can certainly appreciate how turning to comedy has helped Indigenous people and others resist their oppressors. Kanien’kehá:ka actor Devery Jacobs declares:...
Cultural theorist Susan Purdiesees the real role of comedy as controlling language and meaning. So when comedians command a podium, they don a mantle of power. I argue that ethically, in civil society, this mantle should come with a responsibility not to abuse it. Comedy’s societal credibility and contribution — its proven power as a force for posi...
- Geo Takach
Oct 4, 2023 · Punching up is when your joke targets those who hold more power, and punching down is when your joke targets those with less power. For example, if you wanted to make a joke about homelessness, mocking an unhoused person would probably make you look like a bully, even if the person was incredibly problematic.
Jan 10, 2015 · “Comedy should shed light on important social issues.” “Comedy should always punch up, not down.” The people who say these things most often are not standup comics. They are rarely comedians of...
You can still punch down, but if you're going to, at least be aware of why you're doing it, who your targeting, and your reasons for doing so. If you read all that and feel like it's BS or too much work or snowflakey, you should probably work on developing empathy over writing a comedy routine.
Aug 28, 2023 · This modern view asserts that “good” comedy must only crack jokes at the expense of those deemed to have power, thereby “punching up” — and must never target people considered marginalized, known as “punching down.”
May 13, 2019 · In the comedy scene, 'punching up' and 'punching down' are two common terms of reference. The first approach applies to jokes targeting the social elite — politicians, stockbrokers ...
