Family Guy enlightens an imperfect world

Family Guy is an animated sitcom created by Seth Macfarlane surrounding the Griffin Family. The creator, Mr. Macfarlane uses many techniques of satire to help break down many prevalent stereotypes in the US, doing so in a light hearted manner. From a parody of Star Wars or stewie, a baby, taking over the world, family guy uses just about every satirical technique in the books and then a few. One of the creators favorite techniques to use is hyperbole and we see this throughout the show. An example of this would be between meg and her bully, in the episode the bully wants to “punch her pretty”. While you can’t actually punch someone’s face so hard they turn pretty, the bully is clearly exaggerating.

Family Guy has broken just about every taboo; terrorism, pedophilia, god/jesus, abortion, physical/mental disabilities, Transgenders and even AIDS along with just about every other racial stereotype, so why do people continue watching this show? There are two important things that the creators of family guy do so that they continue airing episodes twenty some years later. First and most importantly is they do not single out one group in particular but instead, they poke fun at many different (and many times) very taboo things. By doing this they are not marginalizing one specific group and instead make fun of human nature itself. I think what the show is really going after is the fact that we make mistakes, we’re ignorant people, and we all have our flaws and imperfections but when we can learn to laugh with each other instead of at each other, we are one step closer to a better world.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 - "Your hometown is now a battlefield!!1!"

Comedians poke fun at every aspect of life and culture, so it logically follows that those affected by Orientalism write jokes about it. One example is comedian Kumail Nanjiani, who acts in and produces movies and TV shows in addition to being a stand up comedian. Nanjiani grew up in Pakistan, and frequently makes jokes that challenge the media’s assumptions about immigrants and Muslims in general, sometimes to the discomfort of his audiences.

On his comedy album, Nanjiani discusses the version of Call of Duty which has a multiplayer level set in Karachi, Pakistan, where he lived as a child. Aside from the obvious issue of video games consistently portraying Islamic countries as breeding grounds for terrorism and warfare (which Nanjiani does touch on), he was hesitantly excited about playing the game. He hammers in the fact that this game took years and years to produce, and you can see the individual hairs on people’s heads, and you can see their shoelaces bounce when they run, and how he recognizes the specific streets from his home city. But the street signs are in Arabic. Arabic is not the language spoken in Pakistan, their two official languages are Urdu and English. As Nanjiani puts it, “All you had to do was Google ‘Pakistan language’. They were literally like, ‘What language do they speak in Pakistan? I don’t care.’”

While this lack of interest in the accuracy of portrayals of (especially lesser known) Asian countries goes unnoticed by many of us, and many people who played that level in Modern Warfare 2 without noticing the difference between Urdu and Arabic, it obviously does not go unnoticed by those whose cultures are misrepresented. In this particular example, the language mistake is fairly innocuous, but it hurts Pakistanis and only Pakistanis (those misrepresented). By assuming that all Middle Eastern people are the same, Westerners/white people send the message that they don’t care about the the Middle East, its culture, or the individuality of its people. They enjoy the culture, people, and locations as a prop villain or a backdrop for a story, and by using them as such, devalue the people and make them believe that they are valued less by society because a prop villain or backdrop is all that their culture and upbringing is good for.

It’s difficult to correct the images set in place by early Orientalist work that is so ingrained in our society, but creators can do more to check the accuracy of their work, especially when it’s as easy of a fix as a Google search. While it will take a collective effort to reach a solution to the problem of Orientalism, it only takes individual effort to not contribute.

Comedy can be beautiful

I feel that Comedy has the ability to take the form as meaningful art. In Me Before You, a romantic comedy, it may not be looking to teach you, or leave remarkable impact on your life, but it does make you feel varying emotions.

The story was about a man paralyzed from the neck down, forced to take the company of young woman, initially because she was paid. As she quickly learned that he was sour company, and did not want to live with a pleasant attitude. As she persevered through his negativity, they learned to appreciate each other, and the sides of life they did not know about. The woman was left with drastic news, and tried to fight it until the end, but while she did, she learned to love the man.

This story did not end on a positive outcome for one party, but a pleasant situation for the other. While watching this movie, you could have the classic rollercoaster of emotions that feel planned for each movie. You feel for this movie, when it's supposed to pleasant, when it's supposed to be negative. Or you have cynical viewpoint that looks at each turn of the story as common and basic and unrealistic images for relationships. However it makes you feel, that's what it does: make you FEEL.

That, is why I feel that, Comedy is a meaningful art.

In Defense of Comedy

While there are plenty of examples of comedies, whether they be movies or TV shows, that are absolutely worthless and have no substance, comedy can prove to be a valuable tool to deliver serious meaning and bring change. School of Rock is a perfect example of a comedy that is meaningful while being funny.

The movie follows a guitarist who was kicked out of his band and ends up impersonating a substitute teacher at a snobbish private school. He introduces the students to rock and roll which was very frowned upon at the school so that they can enter a battle of the bands to win the money he needs to pay his rent. The students end up being extremely talented and love playing music which leads them to win the competition.

On the outside School of Rock seems like another pointless comedy however it touches on themes that many comedies share such as the discovery of one's identity and the importance of embracing and loving said identity. In the case of School of Rock the kids who at first rejected rock and roll realize their talent and their love for music.  School of Rock pleads that its viewers embrace their inner creativity and personality to make the world a brighter and more enjoyable place.

Comedies are important because they ensure that world keeps some of its fun as it contrasts from all of the dramas, tragedies and depressing stories that seem to consume the media. Comedies also play the hugely important role in maintaining individuality through emphasizing the importance of embracing one's self identity as School of Rock does. Comedies and other serious forms of art all can and should coexist to maintain a balanced world.

The Injury

In the episode The Injury, in the show The Office, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) burns his foot on a George Foreman grill and demands attention from everyone in the Dunder Mifflin Scranton office.

This would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions. Michael Scott is an "average to below average" in terms of moral character which helps him fill the role of the comic hero. He is not worthless to the plot nor the story line, he is also the manager of the Scranton branch. The ordinary people in this episode are the rest of the employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch. Dwight who rushes to Michael's aid, Pam who answers the phone as she is the receptionist in this episode. She tends to be a plain and everyday figure in this setting. Unlike Michael's high position in power, the rest of the employee's are under Michael's management. The Office is farce and satirical comedy. The characters are overly ridiculous, more expressive and dramatic than actual day to day people. Some characters, like Michael in The Injury, are hypocritical as Michael only cares about his injured foot and not Dwight's well being after getting a concussion due to the crash into the pole while picking up Michael. Due to these reasons, The Injury would be considered a comedy in Aristotle's definitions.

The Princess Bride: Romance, Comedy, or Romantic Comedy?

The Princess Bride is a comedy that has stood the test of time and is known for its great storytelling. It begins with a boy who is home sick and his grandpa comes to read to him. As he reads, the viewer then watches the story, so much so that you forget it’s even being told. Within the book, Wesley, a farm hand, is in love with a girl named Buttercup but he is sent off to sea where he becomes the “Dread Pirate Roberts” in secrecy and fakes his own death. Buttercup’s heartbreak makes her vow to never love again. Then there are Inigo, Vezzini, and Fezzik. These are three con men who want to start a war between Florin and Guilder by kidnapping the princess to-be, Buttercup. Throughout the rest of the movie these main characters become friends, enemies, lovers, and teammates.

The Princess Bride shows characteristics of almost all types of comedy, the first being farce. Although it uses satire and a deeper sense of comedy, there also still those comedic moments when, for example, the Albino gets hit on the head so hard he becomes unconscious, Inigo falls face first into his food, and when Fezzik and Inigo play childish rhyming games. If The Princess Bride was only a farce, it would still be a fantastic movie, but they take their comedy even further.

The Princess Bride is also a romantic comedy because the heart of the story is love story between Wesley and Buttercup. However, because of the funny lines, exaggerated action, things that clearly are not real or are clearly staged, The Princess Bride isn’t just a romance movie.

The Princess Bride is clearly a satirical movie. From the beginning, the movie has many fairy tale elements: princesses, castles, true love, happy endings, but they are mocked and the story doesn’t turn out the way a normal fairy tale would. The wittiest character is by far Wesley, who is constantly shooting others down with his sarcasm and mockery. With each clever line, Wesley has the audience cracking up by the ends of his scenes. The movie also does a great job of pulling the reader into the “fairy tale” story, but right when you become really devoted to it, it flashes back to the reality of the grandpa and grandson. These two characters add a lot to the comedy of the movie because they mock and judge the story, emphasizing how much it isn’t a fairy tale.

Finally, almost every character is changed by the end of the movie. Every character has a motive that drives them forward, avoiding any flat characters. For example, Inigo wants to avenge his father’s death, Wesley wants to reunite with Buttercup, and Prince Humperdink wants to take over both the lands as king. The only flat character is Buttercup, the damsel in distress, who really serves no purpose other than being saved.

The Princess Bride is anything but unadaptable to the modern era. The jokes and comedy have stood the test of time and never fail to make the audience laugh.

Blogging Comedy

Write a blog post in which you defend or dismiss dramatic Comedy — as Aristotle defines it — as a meaningful art form. Whatever side you take, focus on one example of a long-form Comedic work and analyze how it enhances — or fails to enhance — our understanding of the world (the human condition, human nature, etc). You can bring up other works in order to demonstrate that your example is part of a broader trend — or an exception to the trend — but the bulk of your post should be a specific look at one work.

If you are looking for some ideas, check out this New York Times article on “Movies to Stream on Valentine’s Day, Whatever Your Mood.”

Comedy is Seriously (pun intended) Underrated

It is true that in the movie, The Hangover, that there is the rise of fortune for the main characters along
with the undenying charm of the main lead character, Phil (Bradley Cooper) supporting Aristotle's
definition of comedy. Aristotle defines comedy as "a story of the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central
character." and throughout the plot line of this movie this definition along with many more of Aristotle's
ingredients to a proper comedy are delivered.

One of Aristotle's main points in defining a comedy, is having seemingly inappropriate scenes that
would normally be viewed as dark or gross come off as hilarious and gut wrenchingly funny.
Among all the other comedic movies out there, I strongly believe that none deliver on this point as
much as The Hangover. There are multiple times in which the audience will experience Phil, Alan, or Stu
perform utterly obscene acts that normally would not be scene as laugh worthy, but in context of the rising
plot and surrounding event gives off incredible bursts of comedy and laughter.

For many more reasons than this, I believe that comedy in in itself is a crucial and necessary part of our
life's as humans. I believe comedy enhances our lives in many ways. One of those ways being that comedy gives us, as humans an escape from the seriousness and stress in our lives and allows us to let loose and have fun. Comedy does not just have to come in the forms of movies or TV shows it could be the little things like funny signs or pictures that cheer and individual up. Comedy may be seen as rude and brash but, to many it is a way to laugh at things they normally couldn't in a serious environment, it is a way to let loose and lighten up the hectic and busy thoughts going through all of our heads. Aristotle's definition of comedy may not apply to all forms of comedy like it does in The Hangover, but most definitely relates to most and more importantly it positively affects most people. In fact, I would argue that when writing his thoughts down many years ago, Aristotle himself had a couple of laughs.

Big Mouth Making Big Moves

Any viewer of the hit Netflix show Big Mouth knows that the beloved series is also making some pretty groundbreaking moves. The show, created by Jordan Peele and John Mulvaney, is brutally honest, unapologetically explicit, and most importantly extremely hilarious.

The series focuses on middle school kids about to be, or already going through puberty, personifying puberty through the always-funny Hormone Monsters. The point of the show is to highlight the big moments for the pre-teens (first crushes, first periods, and many more firsts that don't need to be explained). Even the theme song ("Changes" by Charles Bradley) embodies the content of the show perfectly.

While the dialogue always puts a smile on the viewer's face, Big Mouth is also able to touch on key subjects that aren't talked about often enough. A great example is the song in the video above, rightfully titled "I Love My Body." It is clear that, while the scene is funny, the writers are also clearly implying the larger message that all women's bodies are things to be loved.

The show also goes through the human anatomy in depth, hitting things that are definitely not in most health classes, as well as informing the viewer on menstruation, puberty, and hormones in general. The fact that the show is funny only ensures that whoever is watching is able to laugh and become attached to what's on the screen.

The point is that comedy can be used as a platform to educate a nation, or in this case whoever has access to a Netflix account. Human beings love the feeling of laughter. Shows and movies such as Big Mouth have utilized that feeling and added essential messages on top of it that result in everyone being able to take away something useful and worthwhile to the world.

Why Brooklyn 99 is Meaningful

If Aristotle defines a comedy as any entertainment form that has a happy ending, I think that many, if not all, comedies have the ability to contribute meaningful insights on human existence.

Brooklyn 99 is a comedic television show about a group of detectives in New York who solve cases together. It's very lighthearted, and constantly makes silly jokes within the group of detective friends. It follows their friendships as they go through new changes in their lives, like when they have children, get married, and go through heartbreaks.

Although Brooklyn 99 makes hilarious lighthearted content, it also makes serious points about racism and homophobia. For example, one detective named Terry Jeffords gets stopped by a white police officer for being black. He tried to explain to the officer that he was a detective himself, and he wasn't doing anything wrong, but the officer wouldn't listen to him. Terry tried to have a sit down conversation with the unapologetic white officer about how it's wrong to stop black people if they are not clearly doing something against the law.

This brought up the issue about how racism sadly plays a major role in who gets arrested or not. Even though the episode was able to make you laugh, it made you more aware of the realities of racism today's society.

Captain Holt is the detective's boss and is a African American, openly gay man. Although, his sexuality and race doesn't define his character. He is a highly intelligent, no-nonsense man who is respected and loved at his job. But, Holt explains in episode how he wasn't always respected at work. He talks about how he constantly faced professional roadblocks because of the homophobia and racism in the 70's and 80's. Despite the fact that he had lots of experience in his field of work, he was often disrespected by, and excluded from the other white, straight males at work.

This makes the audience more aware of how homophobia plays a role in our society, and how someone's sexuality doesn't define their characteristics. The show still makes you laugh at the silly jokes the characters often make, but it brings your attention to serious issues that still play a role in American society today.

Brooklyn 99 has a happy ending in each of its shows, but that doesn't mean that it can't enforce and analyze important, meaningful issues within the show and its characters. A happy ending doesn't necessary hide the depth of each character and their struggles, but it merely reveals meaningful insights to its audience while still making them laugh and keeping their attention. I think a comedy can be even more meaningful than a tragedy sometimes, because it doesn't dwell on depression, but rather presents both the joy and sadness of life in a hilarious, captivating way.

The Hidden Message in a Game of "TAG"

In Aristotle's time comedy included a spectacle of men dancing, singing, or celebrating around an image of a phallus. But this is not a required ingredient of comedy. The only required element of a comedy is that is has a happy ending. Overall, a dramatic comedy includes the rise of a favorable or relatable character.

There are many comedies that contain great messages and prove to be meaningful art forms. On the other hand, compared to a tragedy, the lessons of a comedic movie may not seem existent. In other words, due to the entertaining nature of dramatic comedies, people get distracted from the lessons the story has to tell. Just because the audience isn't acknowledging the deeper meaning of a film doesn't mean there isn't a deeper meaning to be discovered. Most of the time people watch funny movies because they want to watch something light-hearted. Therefore they aren't looking to discover anything the film might be saying about their understanding of the world.  

One movie that is considered a dramatic comedy but also enhances the audience's understanding of the world is TAG. In TAG tells the story of a group of male friends who have been playing the same game of tag for 30 years. It's entertaining, funny, and subscribes to Aristotle's definition of dramatic comedy. For instance, as the movie progresses Hoagie's confidence and esteem noticeably decrease. Most of this decrease in self-confidence has to do with his inability to tag his friend Jerry. At the end of the movie, his rise comes from finally being able to tag Jerry and that's when the audience finally learns the lesson the movie created. The audience learns that always trying to be the best, like Jerry, can get in the way of really experiencing life. 

Dramatic comedies can teach their audiences a lot. They are also special because the audience can choose whether or not they want to look for a lesson or simply just enjoy the movie. Either way, the movie serves a purpose because being entertained can be a distractor from the stressors the audience wants to avoid. At the same time, dramatic comedies can enhance the audience's perspective on life in an easy-to-digest manner. Therefore, receiving the message may be easier than learning it from a tragedy. 

Comedy- A Great Pastime But Nothing More

Everybody loves a good comedy, something that allows us to briefly escape the reality of life and engage in a imaginative world. Although comedy is a great tool for this, there is little to no meaning behind the works itself. The innocence of comedy is perfectly seen in the movie Legally Blonde. 

Although a great movie, Legally Blonde doesn't carry any realistic messages to the world. The idea that a girl like Elle, the main character, would get into Harvard Law School, graduate Harvard Law School, get hired for a case, and (SPOILER ALERT) win, just doesn't add up. If anything, it's spreading a dangerous message that a lack of experience, expertise, and professionalism won't obstruct certain goals, and that everything will magically work out. Elle is given everything in life, so her "winning" this movie isn't a surprise, and is just another improbable fantasy.

Legally Blonde is a great movie, and I'm totally against judging a book by its cover. However, the audience of this movie quickly learns Elle's character, and although we're rooting for her success, she enhances unrealistic, fantastic hopes. Therefore, we shouldn't watch this movie hoping to gain some sort of life lesson or knowledge, but we should rather enjoy the humor used to take us to a new and enjoyable world.

Romance in the 21st Century

If you are reading this, you are reading this because you want to navigate the trials and tribulations of dating in the 21st century. The first thing I will tell you as your guide is that you have nothing to fear. Dating in this day and age is extremely easy. It is so easy to find a mate these days, that everyone seems to be doing it. All you need are three simple things:

1. The ability to read minds

2. Money, lots of it

3. Completely unrealistic expectations for your future partner

Publicity is also crucial to a relationship. You see, these days it's all about social media. We all know the more cute pictures of you and your partner you post on Instagram, the happier you are. It's factually proven that even if you're fighting with your other half if you post a picture of together, your conflict will be resolved. Combined with the posting of pictures of your loved one to social media, when you get into a relationship you must realize that you are no longer an individual. You are now the property of whomever you are dating. I know this may sound jarring but relax. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds. In fact, it's amazing! Who wouldn't want to be one half of a whole, completely lack individuality, and essentially let go of anything that makes you happy outside of the relationship you're in? I know I do. 

Dating these days is all about the aesthetic. It's about how pleasing your relationship looks to other people and I appreciate that. It's not about irrelevant things like having a healthy relationship, being happy, or maintaining individual happiness. It's all about how good you and your partner look to the world which is good. The world needs more fake but pretty things to look at. 

"Bad Moms" Is Not a Bad Comedy

Mila Kunis stars in the 2016 comedy, Bad Moms. Her character Amy, is an average suburban mom trying to juggle her job, her crumbling marriage, and to be a "good mom" which consists of everything ranging from carpool to PTA meetings. After a particular stressful day, Amy dramatically quits the PTA and decided trying to be a good mom is too hard and decides to be a "bad mom" She decided to stop being a helicopter parent granting her kids more freedom and decides not to stress about how other moms view her. Through this journey she meets two other moms who are also done presenting themselves as the "perfect" mom and together they learn how to be more laid back.

Bad Moms upholds Aristotle's definition of comedy in many ways. Aristotle suggest that most characters are ordinary people. Amy achieves this by being an ordinary mom from the suburbs juggling work life with family life. She is average in terms of moral character. She is no where near a saint but she does what she thinks is best for her kids and for herself. The plot starts off when Amy hits rock bottom when she discovers her husband is cheating on her. She then gets in an argument with some PTA moms and decided to quit being a good mom. From this moment on, the plot is centered on her getting back on her feet. She decided to run for PTA president, and spoiler alert, she wins. Here Aristotle's definition is again evident when we feel satisfaction when she succeeds and gets what she deserves. The underdog wins, after we see her prove her character through the various obstacles she tackles.

This movie enhances our understanding of human nature. We see someone start at the bottom and work their way up tackling obstacles left and right. We learn how to laugh when things go wrong but to never give up on the original goals we set. Overall, Bad Moms is true to Aristotle's definition. Not only does it make the audience laugh but the plot tells the story of the rise in fortune of a main character. 

As You Wish

Let’s talk about The Princess Bride. Aside from being a hilariously witty and strikingly humorous fantasy/adventure film, it also fulfills Aristotle’s definition of a Comedy. In fact, it’s a Comedy within a Comedy! Both the grandson (of the “real world” plot) and Buttercup (of the fantasy plot) are of ordinary backgrounds and unfortunate circumstances: Buttercup is to be married to one she doesn’t love, and the grandson is sick, grumpy, and vehemently opposed to “kissy parts.” Over the course of the film, both main characters undergo a classic Comedic “rise” and improve their situations significantly. Buttercup finds true love, and the grandchild finds ease and comfort (even overcoming his hatred of kissy parts!).

The Princess Bride is one example of a meaningful Comedy. Although it is playful and light, one does not have to search long to find greater human truths. Perhaps it is the “criminal(s) with the heart of gold” or “true love will find a way” or “even those in power can be brought low.” While these ideas (which are most definitely not the only themes of the film) are a bit cliche, they serve as an important reminder of the positive power of humanity. Should The Princess Bride have ended as a Tragedy, with the death of Buttercup and Westley, many of the themes would remain the same. The conclusion of a happy ending does not diminish the meaning of the work.

In fact, all Aristotelian Comedies are inherently meaningful. They show a relatable hero rising to fortune and all the success of a happy ending. If the goal of Tragedy is to evoke catharsis and stir audiences to change the world around them, then Comedy serves as a reminder of to what end those changes serve. Comedy offers a place of stability, a goal point for those moved to fix the world. Without Comedy, Tragedy has no aim. Without Tragedy, Comedy has no pleasantness. The two Aristotelian forms exist in synergy, each giving meaning to the other.

"Dumb and Dumber" is... the Dumbest

Dumb and Dumber. A classic tale of two men, who begin literally and figuratively in the dumps, and through a series of hilarious trials and tribulations end up... essentially in the same spot. While this movie is undeniably funny, it is more debatable whether or not it meets Aristotle's definition of "true comedy."

Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne are two goofy best friends living together in Providence, Rhode Island. Their homes, jobs, and love lives are absolute disasters, but they don't care until one of them, Lloyd, falls instantly in love with a Mary Swanson whom he cabs to the airport. He follows her inside and observes that she drops her briefcase. Unbeknownst to Lloyd, that briefcase contained ransom money for the kidnappers of Mary's husband, Bobby. But immediately noticing a way to her affection, Lloyd grabs the bag and races after her. He finds that her plane to Aspen, Colorado has departed, and so naturally he decides to follow her with Harry.

What ensues is a folly-filled adventure of the two men on their pursuit, being introduced to the kidnappers by way of their parakeet's decapitation, encountering tough guys that for no apparent reason attack them in a comedic fight scene in a restaurant off of the highway, and taking a wrong turn on the last leg of their trip, ending up in Nebraska instead of the desired Colorado. All this for Mary, whom Lloyd hopes can "plug them into the social pipeline." 

By this logic, Lloyd and Harry may be considered "comic heroes" by Aristotle's standards, if they become elevated from their original low position. Since they do not, the men and their story do not fulfill this criterion of satirical comedy. However, the movie itself arguably functions upon the "farce" form of comedy, since it contains mostly "zaniness, slapstick humor, and hilarious improbability," it fairly meets the Comedic characterization. The film also seems to make an attempt at being a romantic comedy; when Lloyd finally reaches Mary, she ends up admitting him that there would be a "one in a million" chance of them ending up together, to which Lloyd responds, "So you're telling me there's a chance!"

While the movie is funny, it does not ultimately comment seriously on society. The final clip is a defeated Lloyd and Harry, who have created more trouble than they've solved. The boy and the girl do not end up together, and the men are not elevated out of their previous statuses whatsoever. They quickly disregard their failure, and begin a lighthearted game of tag, literally skipping off into the sunset. It would be a stretch to say the movie presents a serious theme of "If you have friends, you don't need anything else," because truly, the movie simply exists for the hilarity of the men's follies.

There's a Tiger in the Bathroom!

The Hangover, at its core, is the story of a bachelor party in Las Vegas. The movie starts near the end, with a seeming disaster. The group has lost the groom and the lavish outdoor California wedding, scheduled to take place in five hours looks like it won’t be happening.

At this point the movie goes backward in time to the beginning of the story. At first, it seems pretty standard. A group of privileged white guys in their late twenties plan a bachelor party in Vegas. They take the groom’s future father in laws luxury convertible Mercedes and hit the road. The audience expects to see excessive alcohol consumption, some gambling, strippers and bad behavior. However, the movie is a clever comedy.

After arriving in Vegas, the four men toast on the roof of the hotel to ¨a night they will never forget¨. The toast is a clever use of irony, because the men have a night that they will never forget because it is a night they do not remember. When they wake up the next morning, their hotel room is completely trashed, the groom is missing and no one can remember anything. The writer uses hyperbole to communicate the completely outrageous nature of what has taken place. In addition alcohol and broken furniture everywhere, there is a rooster in the room, a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet and possibly the best use of irony, Stu, the dentist, has lost one of his incisors.

Hidden Message

Although Keegan-Micheal Key and Jordan Peele's Comedy TV skits "Key and Peele" are generally seen as purely comedic, there can be some main ideas or arguments behind their skits. In the skit "Prepared for the Terries" there are two characters on a plane sitting next to a random man. The two characters who are together are typically dressed differently and have very strange looking hairstyles, as well as speak in a very strange way. The two main characters proceed to explain to the man sitting next to them that they are prepared for "terries" or terrorists.

The obvious satirical device used in this skit would be irony. This would be Irony because it is conveying a message by using an extreme situation as an example of the opposite of their argument, their argument clearly being that people that you may see as strange or different than you should not be stereotyped as dangerous or a threat. The use of irony for this skit allows Key and Peele to keep the comedy aspect of their skit while also portraying the deeper message of the skit. 

To go into depth about their argument, it can be said that their argument is that people who don't look like you are portrayed as a threat to your life or crazy. In this skit by Key and Peele, they portray strange looking people who talk and act pretty strange as well, telling a passenger next to them that they are "prepared for the terries" and how they plan to defend themselves from the terrorist. in doing this they bring a 3D printed gun and box opener onto the plane to defend themselves. But in doing this, they put the other passengers at risk and therefore portrays that people that don't look the same as other people are dangerous.   

Blogging Satire

The first blogging assignment (unless you choose the creative, original satire project) is to discuss a work of contemporary satire: a film, TV show, song, etc, from the last few years that uses humor to make a larger point about society.

Even though we have often discussed satire of the construction of gender or race, your example does not need to involve race or gender as its primary subject matter.

Your post should include the following:
1. A summary of the work of culture -- maybe including a link to a video or lyrics.
2. An analysis of how the work uses techniques of satire -- irony, hyperbole, understatement, and/or parody.
3. An analysis of how the work is not simply making fun of certain people or institutions but how the work is trying to criticize and ultimately change society.

Note that I'm asking you to do more than just #1 -- giving us an example.  You need to analyze and reflect on that example.

And remember to also comment on two of your classmates' posts as well.

"All 3.6 Billion Men Are Like This!"

In the television show "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," the main characters often use silly comedic songs to touch on difficult subjects such as mental health, sexism, and societal standards. I chose the satire: "Let's Generalize about Men," which is a man-hating song that reflects on why men are hated and mocks how women talk about them.

The characters in the song are all women who have recently had trouble with their relationships with men. They're all caught up in the terrible things their boyfriends have done, and talk about how every single man is an emotionally stunted child. The song encourages the stereotype of single women who drink and complain about men, but also the stereotype that men argue how not all men are like this.

The women say, "All men are completely repressed/...There are no exceptions/ All 3.6 billion men are like this." This satire uses hyperbole to acknowledge that in reality, not all men are like this. It's impossible that 3.6 billion men are childish and never listen, but the women use this generalization to explain why all of their relationships have gone poorly.

They also say, "And why do men never listen and only think about themselves?/ As opposed to women who always listen and never think about themselves?" This question brings up the fact that not all women have these characteristics, either. It examines the stereotypes in general, and how you can't accurately depict what a group of billions of people are really like. Especially if the stereotype for them includes multiple requirements of their character.

The women then bring up the question, "Hey what about gay men?/ Gay men are all really great/ Every single one.../ They're all completely adorable and fun!" This continues to mock the stereotype about how straight women talk about men, and plays into the stereotypes of gay men. The women truly feel depressed and hurt about the straight men they have dated, and come to the conclusion that every single gay man must be "adorable and fun!" This represents another hyperbole, which brings up the notion that all gay men must have this kind of character, and doesn't bring up the fact that these are just stereotypes, and don't accurately depict the true character every single man on the planet.

I think that this satire is not just mocking women for generalizing about men, but also critiquing sexist stereotypes and how they unknowingly permeate into our society. These women, in particular, use these stereotypes to make themselves feel better about their past relationships. But, they don't acknowledge the fact that these stereotypes are extremely harmful. This satirical song is trying to make their audience see that we should stop generalizing about any group of people, specifically men, gay men, and women. We shouldn't jump to the conclusion that all straight men/gay men/women are like this if we have only had a few encounters with a person that fits this stereotype.