|
|
|
|
|
Michael Krasny presents LET THERE BE LAUGHTER at the Hillside Club
Wednesday, November 9, 7:30PM
Tickets on sale now
Beloved radio personality Michael Krasny has been telling Jewish jokes since he could say “oy vey!” In his new
book Let There Be Laughter, Krasny pairs the most iconic Jewish jokes with wise and entertaining explanations,
illuminating the cultural expressions and anxieties behind the laughs.
With his background as a scholar and public-radio host, Krasny delves deeply into the themes, topics, and forms
of Jewish humor: chauvinism undercut by irony and self-mockery, the fear of losing cultural identity through
assimilation, the importance of vocal inflection in joke-telling, and calls to communal memory, including the use
of Yiddish.
Jewish humor is a generational habit, and in Let There Be Laughter there is something for everyone. From the old
Jewish greats like Mel Brooks, Jackie Mason, and Joan Rivers to the Sarah Silvermans, Amy Schumers, and Jon
Stewarts of today, Let There Be Laughter is as profoundly analytical as it is hilarious, and an absolute pleasure for
the chosen and goyim alike.
Michael Krasny, Ph.D., is a scholar and Professor of English and American Literature at San Francisco State
University, the host of KQED’s “Forum with Michael Krasny,” an award winning broadcast journalist, and author
of two acclaimed books, Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio and Literary Life and Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic’s
Search. Since 1993 he has been the host of “Forum with Michael Krasny,” a news and public affairs interview
program produced at KQED Radio, the National Public Radio affiliate in San Francisco, California.
--
“A book about Jewish jokes that’s as funny as the jokes - what’s not to love?” — Andy Borowitz
“Why is ‘Jewish’ the only religion with a type of humor named after it? Because the Jews are God’s chosen
people. And God has a sense of humor. Check Genesis 1:27, ‘So God created man in his own image.’ Now look
in the mirror. God is kidding. Michael Krasny explains it all in Let There be Laughter.” — P.J. O'Rourke
“Isn’t Michael Krasny the most wonderfully versatile writer? Isn’t this book side-splittingly hilarious? Why can’t
I come for the jokes and then stay for “what it all means?” Why did it take so long for someone this talented to
give us something so funny, meaningful and durable? And why can’t a Gentile answer a question (’will you blurb
my book?’) with a question? I loved it.” — Ken Burns
Wednesday, November 9, 7:30PM
Tickets on sale now
Beloved radio personality Michael Krasny has been telling Jewish jokes since he could say “oy vey!” In his new
book Let There Be Laughter, Krasny pairs the most iconic Jewish jokes with wise and entertaining explanations,
illuminating the cultural expressions and anxieties behind the laughs.
With his background as a scholar and public-radio host, Krasny delves deeply into the themes, topics, and forms
of Jewish humor: chauvinism undercut by irony and self-mockery, the fear of losing cultural identity through
assimilation, the importance of vocal inflection in joke-telling, and calls to communal memory, including the use
of Yiddish.
Jewish humor is a generational habit, and in Let There Be Laughter there is something for everyone. From the old
Jewish greats like Mel Brooks, Jackie Mason, and Joan Rivers to the Sarah Silvermans, Amy Schumers, and Jon
Stewarts of today, Let There Be Laughter is as profoundly analytical as it is hilarious, and an absolute pleasure for
the chosen and goyim alike.
Michael Krasny, Ph.D., is a scholar and Professor of English and American Literature at San Francisco State
University, the host of KQED’s “Forum with Michael Krasny,” an award winning broadcast journalist, and author
of two acclaimed books, Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio and Literary Life and Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic’s
Search. Since 1993 he has been the host of “Forum with Michael Krasny,” a news and public affairs interview
program produced at KQED Radio, the National Public Radio affiliate in San Francisco, California.
--
“A book about Jewish jokes that’s as funny as the jokes - what’s not to love?” — Andy Borowitz
“Why is ‘Jewish’ the only religion with a type of humor named after it? Because the Jews are God’s chosen
people. And God has a sense of humor. Check Genesis 1:27, ‘So God created man in his own image.’ Now look
in the mirror. God is kidding. Michael Krasny explains it all in Let There be Laughter.” — P.J. O'Rourke
“Isn’t Michael Krasny the most wonderfully versatile writer? Isn’t this book side-splittingly hilarious? Why can’t
I come for the jokes and then stay for “what it all means?” Why did it take so long for someone this talented to
give us something so funny, meaningful and durable? And why can’t a Gentile answer a question (’will you blurb
my book?’) with a question? I loved it.” — Ken Burns
