A 2022 Best Comedy Book, Vulture, presents a compelling call for liberals and progressives to recognize the rise of right-wing comedy and its political significance. The authors, Matt Sienkiewicz and Nick Marx, challenge the assumption that comedy is inherently liberal, exploring the emergence of a "right-wing comedy complex." This term reflects two critical ideas: first, the discomfort among liberals in acknowledging that their political adversaries can create humor; second, the right's strategic development of a comedy-industrial complex that mirrors the ironic media tactics used by liberal comedians like Jon Stewart and Samantha Bee. Right-wing comedy, often overlooked, has infiltrated mainstream conservative media through figures such as Greg Gutfeld and Joe Rogan. The authors utilize interviews with conservative comedians and analyze their techniques to navigate the intersection of media, culture, and politics. Readers may find these comedians appalling, surprisingly funny, or just plain bizarre, yet they play a crucial role in the cultural landscape. The American right is actively reclaiming spaces of comedy and irony that were once dominated by the left. While this brand of humor may not resonate with everyone, its relevance cannot be ignored.
