Laughing Matter | Frontline Newsletter
The HinduPublished : Nov 21, 2023 14:37 IST - 3 MINS READ Dear reader, Mort Sahl, the renowned American comedian who famously quipped, “Washington couldn’t tell a lie, Nixon couldn’t tell the truth, and Reagan couldn’t tell the difference,” is widely regarded as the pioneer of modern stand-up comedy. The period saw a surge in politically charged comedy, with comedians like George Carlin, known for his observation, “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups,” and Richard Pryor, a “master of lyrical obscenity” as one critic called him, using their platforms to critique societal norms and government policies. Carlin’s famous routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” challenged censorship, while Pryor’s observational comedy often touched on racial and political issues. The late 20th century witnessed a new wave of political stand-up comedy, with comedians like Jon Stewart and Bill Maher using their respective shows, “The Daily Show” and “Politically Incorrect”, to blend news satire with humour.
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