For a film that was destined to do so much wrong, this does a surprising amount right. And in an era of relentlessly ‘clever’ films and knowing reboots, Face the Music has a refreshingly light touch.
Whose side are you on anyway? BBC comedy show Have I Got News for You.
BBC Pictures
Donald Trump’s bizarre interview with journalist Jonathan Swan went viral this week. While some regard the US president as beyond parody, satire may be starting to bite as he slides in the polls.
If it’s escapism you’re looking for, watch Schitt’s Creek or The Good Place. But if you want a dirty dive that makes the real world look good by comparison, try It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Charlie Brooker’s Anti-Viral Wipe brought some much-needed humour to a very dark situation.
BBC/Netflix/Matt Holyoak
It isn’t wrong to laugh at coronavirus comedy. Rather a chortle here and there will help us through the crisis, and it may even help spread vital information and give comfort to those in need.
Elisabeth Moss stars in the latest adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel.
Universal Pictures
Charlie Hebdo’s often biting and dark humour frequently troubles people in France, and many reactions to the attack in France were not in keeping with the values of the publication.
Rowan Atkinson’s character is as original as ever.
ITV
Mr Bean made its television debut on January 1 1990. Thirty years on, the pilot episode still captures all that is great about Rowan Atkinson’s character.
We really screwed this one up didn’t we.
Mazhar Zandsalimi/Unsplash
There is nothing funny about the prospect of environmental collapse. But comedy can highlight the errors that led us to the crisis, and encourage us to act in the face of hopelessness.
The identity of the joke-teller matters more than you might think.
Jamesbin/Shutterstock.com
A new study highlights the importance of the ‘intergroup sensitivity effect’ in comedy, which gives people license to tell certain jokes, but not others.
Trevor Noah appears on set during a taping of “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” in New York, 2015. Researchers say humour is one of the best tools to fight against climate change.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
‘Two polar bears walk into a bar …’ is an unlikely opener for a joke, but memes and parodies are surprisingly effective ways to get people talking about climate change.
John Clarke: his tinkering involved prolonged fiddling with words to get tone, rhythm and meaning exactly right.
ABC/AAP
The first serious scholarly account of the works of comedian John Clarke has just been published. Here, we consider the creative genius of his command of language.
Matt ‘Airistotle’ Burns performs during the 2017 Air Guitar World Championships in Finland.
Eeva Rihel/Lehtikuva via AP
An ethnomusicologist traces the origins of the practice, from early 20th century ‘air conductors’ to Joe Cocker’s air riffing at Woodstock to the rise of international competitions.
Chris Lilley as Gavin: an Instagram lord.
Princess Pictures
As parody goes, this infamous Monty Python film is a pretty gentle, even, respectful sort. It is now more likely to be criticised for breaching the boundaries of ‘political correctness’.