UK and Irish Television Comedy: Representations of Region, Nation, and Identity

This book explores television comedy from the UK and Ireland, ranging from the 1980s to the 2020s, and offers thoughtful reflection on funny and engaging representations of UK and Irish identity through the intersections of class, ethnicity, and gender.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of television comedy, encompassing a wide range of productions from across the UK and Ireland, spanning from the 1980s to the 2020s. It offers a captivating exploration of depictions of distinct geographical, historical, and cultural communities, presented from an insider's perspective. At the same time, it engages in a thoughtful interrogation of the unique lived experience of time and place, intricately woven within the diverse tapestry of representations of contrasting lives, experiences, and sensibilities presented in the collected individual chapters. The range ofcomedies considered includes notable works such as Victoria Woods' 'Father Ted' and 'Derry Girls', Michaela Coel's 'Chewing Gum' set in east London, and Gavin and Stacey from Wales. The book also includes chapters dedicated to Scottish sketch and animation comedy, as well as series set in various regions of the UK, including the Midlands, the North East, the South West, and London's home counties. Through its thoughtful reflection, this book offers a profound exploration of funny and engaging representations of the diverse, fragmented complexity of UK and Irish identity, unraveled through the intricate intersections of class, ethnicity, and gender.

Weight: 467g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031236280
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023