Thesis Title
Not a Laughing Matter: John Oliver, Burkean Frames, and the Performance of Public Intellect
Department or Program
Rhetoric
Abstract
This thesis examines John Oliver’s coverage of the political rise of Donald Trump throughout the third season of his show, Last Week Tonight. In his coverage of the election, Oliver speaks with knowledge on various issues related to the election to a nonspecialist audience, thereby engaging in a performance of public intellect. In doing so, Oliver frames himself and his audience as comic heroes attempting to correct mistaken or tricked comic villains. However, Oliver also uses burlesque humor to frame the villains of his arguments as absurd and ridiculous, thus both accepting and rejecting their legitimacy. I argue that Oliver’s comic and burlesque performance of public intellect constitutes a new development in the late night comedy-news genre.
Level of Access
Open Access
First Advisor
Kelley-Romano, Stephanie
Date of Graduation
5-2017
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Nott, Gabriel Francis, "Not a Laughing Matter: John Oliver, Burkean Frames, and the Performance of Public Intellect" (2017). Honors Theses. 198.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/198
Number of Pages
99
Open Access
Available to all.