For over 35 years, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" has greeted late night-TV viewers looking for the best in sketch comedy and popular music. SNL is the variety show that launched the careers of a mass of comedians including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Adam Sandler, among others. Week after week, SNL has produced unforgettable sketches and provocative political satire, adapting to changing times while staying true to its original vision of performing timely topical humor. With essays that address issues ranging from race and gender to authorship and comedic performance, "Saturday Night Live" and American TV follows the history of this 36-time Emmy-winning show and its place in the shifting social and media landscape of American television.

Exploring the evolution of media culture through SNL

About the Author

Nick Marx is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University.

Matt Sienkiewicz is Assistant Professor of Communication and International Studies at Boston College.

Ron Becker is Associate Professor of Media Studies at Miami University of Ohio where he is also an affiliate of the American Studies, Film Studies, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies programs. He is the author of Gay TV and Straight America.

Reviews

Readers looking for a more analytical approach to SNL will want to check out this interesting collection of essays. . . . The book is undeniably interesting as it explores the show from angles that many readers probably haven't encountered previously.

* Booklist *

If you like the variety show that weekly brings us outstanding sketch comedy and popular music, you'll find this book worthy.

* NUVO *

Readers looking for an informative collection of essays from challenging vantage points will find a lot to love here.

* PopMatters *

All the essays are scholarly and clear, and all end with a substantive bibliography. . . . The book is equally useful as a cohesive book or as a series of self-contained essays for a variety of disciplines. . . . Highly recommended.

* Choice *



Book Information
ISBN 9780253010827
Author Ron Becker
Format Paperback
Page Count 294
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 408g