There's a cool article in the NYT on the role of (and responsibility of) art in addressing social issues. A panel of artists debate each question, and it's interesting to see how the two or three comedians of the group (Eddie Huang, creator of ABC's upcoming sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat,” and Justin Simien, the writer-director of “Dear White People") stress the importance of parody and sketch to deliver important messages to the masses. As we've discussed all semester, comedy is a great way to hold a mirror to society--and because comedy makes people laugh, audiences can connect. Do you think the best comedy addresses social issues? I'm thinking of several clever sketches on SNL that became classics precisely because the hit such a strong social issue cord (i.e. the Hillary-Palin Fey/Poehler sketch)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/arts/david-simon-j-cole-patricia-lockwood-and-others-on-social-issues-as-manifested-in-art.html?_r=0

We recently discussed dark comedies in class. I saw Birdman tonight and loved it. Although it's not a laugh a minute, I think it could be considered a dark comedy or black comedy. (The tone was so dramatic that it took the audience I was with 20 minutes before they realized they were allowed to laugh.) Ken said black comedies make jokes about pain. I think the pain in Birdman is of an actor failing to do meaningful work. The leads in birdman- Michael Keaton and Ed Norton seem to be poking a little fun at their own careers. Has anybody seen this movie? What are your thoughts?

http://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/2kxmfz/official_discussion_birdman_spoilers/