Humor and freedom of expression in times of deep mediatization in Brazilian culture

the case of the stand-up comedy "Disturbing" removed from YouTube by justice

Abstract

In a scenario marked by the significance of deep mediatization in Brazilian culture, this article deals with the comical humor expressed in the stand-up "Disturbing" posted on YouTube and removed by justice. The motivation is to open reflection on the limits of humor when the ends justify the means to provoke laughter in the audience. The question is how to classify the episode. The aim is to analyze the content of the jokes and classify it according to the perspective of classical humor and the guarantees of freedom of expression; and describe the case and its repercussions in times of deep mediatization. The analysis relies mainly on the contributions of Bergson, Braga, Cícero, Couldry and Zilles. In the end, it was also found that humor without limits fosters laughter, but not reflection or denounces the status quo.