In advance of Rick Lee’s forthcoming book, co-hosts Charles and Leigh ask him why he thinks all “theories” of comedy are inadequate. What exactly is the “joke” part of a joke? Why are philosophers not only hostile to comedy, but also categorically unfunny? Is comedy formulaic or does it resist systematic analysis? What is the difference between laughing at and laughing with? What is happening to us when we laugh together– as the HBS hosts do a lot in this episode!– and how does laughter connect us to one another?
John Chrysostom once warned that “laughter often gives birth to foul discourse” and the HBS hosts are determined to prove the archbishop of Constantinople right in this episode. Definitely pour yourself a drink before sitting down to listen to this conversation, because it’s a helluva lot of fun!
Full episode notes available on the Hotel Bar Sessions website at this link. Listen to the episode below:
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