Satire is popular simply because its funny. Stereotypes are made and talked about behind these different ethnic groups’ backs. In attempts of satire such as Borat, these stereotypes are brought right to everyone’s faces. Also, the people that are saying these ridiculous untrue things are real people and are saying what they actually think about other ethnic groups. People are able to use this as humor by using these stereotypes and appear very out of the ordinary. Who actually walks around criticizing social groups? The reactions of the people are what make the satire funny.
The reason Scary Movie isn’t considered satire is because of the issues it deals with. Satire is based on the largest and worst social problems going on during that time period. Scary movies are definitely not a social problem. So while the comedy in Scary Movie and different satires can be very similar, it still cannot be considered satire.
2 responses so far ↓
1 danknugs // Dec 8, 2006 at 10:45 am
Satire doesn’t always have to be funny. For example, was “A Modest Proposal” funny? I didn’t think so… Unless, of course, you like eating infants. That’s cool dude, I respect that.
I think Borat was (and is) a very effective method of humorous satire because it deals with ethnic stereotypes in an entertaining way. I also agree with your assessment of Scary Movie. Since Scary Movie takes no standponit of its own, it cannot be considered satire, although the humor is silmilar.
haid
2 hoffster // Dec 10, 2006 at 11:01 pm
I really dislike your new background. I think im having a fit.