The History of American Humor

Mark Twain – perhaps America’s most well-known humorist in that his wit and humor are still relevant today – said “The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French.  The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter.”

 

This six-hour course explores how American humor evolved over time.  Vaudeville, movies, stage, radio, sitcoms, comics and cartoons, and stand-up are some of the various ways humor developed as a form.  But who were the influencers?  And how many do you remember?  Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and cast, Abbott and Costello, Jack Benny, Robin Williams – just to name a few!  (We won’t forget Mark Twain!)  And what impact did society, culture, politics have upon the evolution of humor?   How did humor change to keep up with history, culture and politics?  Let’s explore humor and enjoy lots of laughter!

Barbara Kalis has lived in San Miguel for 15 years. She was an English teacher in the US and Germany and was an interior designer with her own business for 35 years. When she retired, she wanted another adventure in her life so convinced her husband – not a difficult task! - to move to Mexico. She has long been involved with the Lifelong Learning Program as both a staff member and an instructor.  As an instructor she is free to pursue any subject that fires her curiosity – from the History of Women to Fairy Tales to Tudor Queens and interior design.  Her curiosity was piqued by humor and thus this course – the History of American Humor.