Contribution short abstract:

In this paper I will discuss how stand-up comedians can challenge hegemonic discourses in society with their performances. By mixing humor with seriousness, stand-up comedians can evoke various affects among the audience members and make them reflect on what they have laughed at.

Contribution long abstract:

The stand-up comedian is often compared with the medieval court jester, who could reveal inconvenient truths and was allowed to mock those in power positions without getting punished. Researchers also often compare stand-up comedians with anthropologists, since they both examine various norms and discourses in society. By pointing out the absurdities in our everyday life, stand-up comedy can offer new and alternative perspectives on societal issues.

In this paper I will discuss how stand-up comedians construct counterhegemonic positions in their performances in order to challenge and unwrite hegemonic discourses in society. For example, Swedish (stand-up) comedians Bianca Kronlöf and Mia Skäringer position themselves as feminists in order to criticize patriarchal discourses and norms, while Australian stand-up comedian Hannah Gadsby joke about, and at the same time criticize, heteronormativity and homophobia from a lesbian/queer perspective.

Kronlöf, Skäringer and Gadsby have in common that their performances consist of both humoristic and serious parts. With inspiration from Chantal Mouffe, I mean that stand-up comedy's ability to switch between emotional states has the potential to evoke different affects among the audience members, which can inspire them to take part in counterhegemonic struggles. By switching between humor and seriousness, the audience members may not only laugh but also feel anger and shame over prevailing norms and discourses. In this way, stand-up comedy can appeal to a variety of emotions and also make us reflect on what it is we've laughed at.