From comedy targets to comedy-makers: disability and comedy in live performance

Abstract

The stand-up comedy landscape has been transformed in recent years with an increased number of disabled comedians performing. Via semi-structured interviews with disabled comedians, this article provides a thematic analysis of the material and ideological motives, intentions and lived experiences of disabled comedians. Two themes are discussed -comedy management and control; and affirming disability through comedy. These themes are characterised by complexity and contradictions. The article concludes that, although not a straightforward process, stand-up comedy enacted by disabled comedians is potentially a powerful tool through which hegemonic norms around disability can be challenged and renegotiated.

Laughing Back: A Phenomenological Study of Disability Humor Using Culturally Responsive Methodologies

“…Disabled comedians confront the fear that nondisabled people have about disability by eliciting laughter from the audience, even in uncomfortable situations (Reid, Stoughton and Smith, 2006). Disabled comedians challenge normative views of disability as tragedy by making jokes about their lives (Lockyer, 2015). This paper will examine how disabled people are oppressed in multiple ways, beginning by exploring Tobin Sieber's ideology of ability as a cultural explanation.…”

“…Nondisabled people view disability as pitiable and sad because of the history of oppression and marginalization of disabled people; therefore, disability is not commonly associated with comedy (Lockyer, 2015). Yet positive emotions are able to sustain social movements and social interactions.…”

“…Humor may be ideal for this endeavor (Simmons, 2019). It offers disabled comedians a venue to challenge and critique mainstream society's perspective on disability and provides a more nuanced view of living with a disability (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006). Comedy can promote social inclusion of disabled people and a conversation about the social construction of disability (Shain, 2013).…”

“…Comedy can promote social inclusion of disabled people and a conversation about the social construction of disability (Shain, 2013). The disability arts movement also gives disabled people a space to share common experiences, which were previously understood as individualistic (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006;Smith and Sapon-Shevin, 2009).…”

“…Although most disabled comedians view their work as primarily entertaining, they recognize that comedy can inform audience members about the disability experience and potentially change public policy (Lockyer, 2015;Reid et al, 2006). Disabled comedians also use comedy to cope with life experiences (Reid et al, 2006).…”