Comedy Movies/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Plesase do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience in the area

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials

Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors

A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

Past/Present Clients

My students

What do you like about this subject?

Being able to laugh is wonderful--laughter eases tense situations, brings us closer together, and helps us live healthier, longer lives. And movies are our fantasies made manifest.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

To continue to do research into comedy films and television shows, especially more current films (but also ones from the past).

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Comedies don´t actually have to be funny to be comedies; what defines a comedy is actually hard to determine.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Black comedies deal with taboo subjects like death, sexual deviance, criminal actions, etc. Other comedies push the boundaries of good (or even bad) taste.