Somewhat belated Essay Idea

For this topic, pick a humorist who intrigues you, and develop a theory as to that humorist’s “brand of humor.” Take a closer look at his work, study her technique, read about his background or biography. What is the rhetoric of that humorist? What influenced her work? What, if any, are the messages or import of his humor? How has this person influenced comedy and humor in our culture?


Topic: A great deal of today's humorists employ a method of delivery that inoperates, to varrying degrees, an unmodulated (or aytpically modulated) tone of voice, a sort of nervous, deadpan, or otherwise naturalistic stage presence, and humor which delves more into absurdity of everyday life or skewed perceptions of mundane objects or events. It could be said that these trends were always extant in the realm of humor, and, to be sure, this is probably true. Therefore, while it may be unfair to say he was the progenitor of all these things, it is certainly true that he brought them all together in a winning combination that has been recycled and re-used, to varying degrees, by a number of the most famous american comedians from will ferrel to jon stewart. Mitch Hedberg might not be the father of 21st century comedy, but he was certainly its firstborn son. With mannerisms, a persona, and style all his own Mitch Hedberg, in his own way, revolutionized standup comedy. Praised, at his death in 2005, by entertainment weekly as "Comedy's Kurt Cobain," Mitch Hedberg was, if nothing else, a true innovator and a peerless comic. In my paper I hope to explore the elements of his style that made him so appealing, and also explore is comedic Legacy.