Contribution short abstract:

A small group of comedians has set out to challenge established satirical news shows with a radio programme of their own. With this presentation, interweaving a performative comedic newscast with an anthropological analysis, I examine their process from within.

Contribution long abstract:

News satire has become a widespread phenomenon worldwide. Modelled in American and English television programmes, hundreds of versions are broadcasted in dozens of countries.

In Guadalajara, a small group of humourists with experience in the local stand-up comedy circuit, have created a novel satirical radio news show. Their project is inspired not only by their comedic temperament, but also as a critique of existing programmes at national and local levels.

As an anthropologist, I have collaborated with the team following their efforts and attending their performances. In their show, my role is that of the European correspondent. As stand-up comedians, two of them have specialised in presenting satirical news bulletins in open-mic sessions. This has allowed them to train their writing skills and measure the responses to their takes on headlines. While they often trivialise serious issues, they do so with a clear sense of social critique.

In my view, their exercise seeks not merely comedic relief, but also a reflexive one. I interpret their effort as trying to break with a journalistic/entertainment model formed during decades of censored news and media at the hands of a single party regime. Because that model continues to produce feeble journalism where opinions and derision overpower analyses, it has in turn influenced the existing satirical news shows, which are clearly partisan and appear to be more propaganda than satire.

With this presentation, I interweave my own performance of satirical news with my analyses of the serious business of headline humour in Guadalajara.