The dance of the comedians: the people, the president, and the performance of political standup comedy in America
Journal: Choice Reviews Online
Year: 2010

This dissertation argues that the emergent performance of political standup comedy became a significant agent for mediating and complicating the relationship between the American people and the American presidency, particularly during the middle half of the twentieth century.The Dance of the Comedians examines standup comedy-particularly its ramifications for the presidency and Americans' perceptions of that institution-as a uniquely compelling form of cultural performance.Part ceremonial ritual