{"product_id":"whos-to-say-whats-obscene-politics-culture-and-comedy-in-america-today-9780872865013","title":"Who's to Say What's Obscene?: Politics, Culture, and Comedy in America Today","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Paul Krassner\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: City Lights Books\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: City Lights Books\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Topic - Politics\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFans of \u003cem\u003eThe Daily Show\u003c\/em\u003e will appreciate this timely collection of satirical essays by counterculture icon Paul Krassner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith irreverence and an often X-rated wit, Krassner writes with a unique perspective on comedy and obscenity in politics and culture, from \"Bong Hits 4 Jesus\" banners to scenes cut out of movies including \u003cem\u003eBorat\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eMilk\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his essay \"Don Imus Meets Michael Richards,\" Krassner examines racism in comdey, from Lenny Bruce to Dave Chapelle, on \u003cem\u003eThe Sarah Silverman Snow\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCurb Your Enthusiasm\u003c\/em\u003e and in controversial comic strips like The Bookdocks. In his piece \"The Great Muhammad Cartoon Controversy,\" he looks at free speech and self-censorship in the face of threats--real and perceived--from religious fundamentalists. Throughout, Krassner riffs about busted public figures, counterculture, free speech, late-night talk shows, censorship, sex and the current state of satire.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"These are times of repression,\" says Krassner, \"and the more repression there is, the more there is for irreverence toward those in authority.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaul Krassner is an author, journalist, stand-up comedian and founder of the freethought magazine the \u003cem\u003eRealist\u003c\/em\u003e, which he published from 1958 to 2001. He was a co-founder of the Yippies and a member of Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters. He received an Upton Sinclair Award for dedication to freedom of expression. Krassner was a close friend of Lenny Bruce and the editor of Bruce's autobiography, \u003cem\u003eHow to Talk Dirty and Influence People\u003c\/em\u003e. A prolific writer, his articles have appeared in \u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSpin\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePlayboy\u003c\/em\u003e and many other venues. He has been a guest on \u003cem\u003eLate Night\u003c\/em\u003e with Conan O'Brien and \u003cem\u003ePolitically Incorrect\u003c\/em\u003e with Bill Maher and writes regularly for \u003cem\u003eHigh Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAdult Video News\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"City Lights Books","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45118426251415,"sku":"9780872865013","price":1656.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9780872865013.webp?v=1767274387","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/whos-to-say-whats-obscene-politics-culture-and-comedy-in-america-today-9780872865013","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}