Episode 31: Comedy: What's Funny, What's Offensive, and Why with Professor Brett Mills

What exactly is comedy? Why do we laugh? What is it that makes us feel bonded when we share a joke with another person? This week Professor Brett Mills of Freie Universität Berlin joins the podcast to try and answer these questions and more. Brett teaches a course I'm taking called "Comedy in Film," and it's a complete hit with the students, thanks in part to his wealth of knowledge concerning comedy history and theory, and ability to ask provocative questions. Some more topics we attempt to tackle: What are signifiers used in media to let us know something is intended to be funny? The difference between standup and improv as praxis Why the British Office is superior to the American version Is there an increased sensitivity to comedy with social media and cancel culture, or has it always existed and we just didn't know about it?   It was a long and fascinating discussion (that I gladly would've had go on for many more hours), so have a think and a laugh and enjoy! Follow Professor Brett Mills on Twitter and follow me on Instagram.