Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out The History of Comedy Since Seinfeld with Jesse David Fox
Jul 1, 2024
Jesse David Fox, a comedy expert, discusses the comedy boom and his book with Mike. They talk about comedy writing, John Mulaney controversy, and comedy criticism. They explore authenticity in performances, rising stars, and pet peeves of comedians.
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Scope Of Comedy Book
- Jesse David Fox frames his book as a history of comedy post-1990, focusing on the boom after Seinfeld.
- He intentionally narrows scope to analyze modern stand-up evolution and its cultural context.
Critic As Translator
- Fox sees the critic's role as translating comedy for readers, not gatekeeping personal taste.
- He aims to help new fans find footholds in styles they wouldn't naturally understand.
Nudge Audiences To Demand More
- Refine audience taste by nudging them toward more demanding comedy experiences.
- Demand more from popular comedians so they keep improving rather than coasting.