How The Rise of Dark Humor Promotes Controversial Coping

At the 2024 SLO Comedy Festival, comedian Alex Hooper was labeled as the most notable act by “blending dark humor with silly, unapologetic positivity” as his description on the show’s site states.

Despite the numerous acts and comedians that took the stage, audiences were most drawn to the controversial comedy form that Hooper displayed. More notably, Hooper’s popularity spans larger than local. He was one of the most famous comedians in show attendance, having appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central and headlining at comedy clubs in over 30 states. 

Dark humor has emerged from its underground domain both locally and globally, but what made such a controversial form of comedy, and the performers who practice it, become so favored over the last decade? 

Alex Hooper, shown here on America’s Got Talent, was the featured act at the 2024 SLO Comedy Festival ( NBC)

Sometimes criticized for being insensitive or inappropriate, dark humor is a comedic practice that typically brings light to situations that evoke negative emotions, such as death, illness, trauma or war. Even Jerry Seinfeld said on his episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”, “...It’s never too soon to,” in regards to joking about celebrity deaths. The purpose of the practice is to act as a coping mechanism for people to manage traumatic experiences. 

The appeal and uprising of dark humor in modern society can be traced to societal events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing impact of social media on the public. While the style of comedy has existed for centuries, its notoriety skyrocketed in 2020. The political polarization of the 2020 election, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic closures, had a significant impact on the emotional states of civilians around the world, creating an opening for dark humor. 

Comedy that addresses uncomfortable topics ultimately provides means for individuals to express their fears without succumbing to them, which during this time, relieved the intensity of anxieties revolving around the state of mankind.

The emergence of social media has also played a role in the popularity of dark humor. Platforms such as TikTok, Tumblr, Reddit, Twitter and Instagram allow users to anonymously or forwardly post jokes that revolve around serious political, social and personal issues that they may not feel comfortable expressing in real life. Memes and viral content on these platforms commonly address serious issues in a comedic way so it is more palatable for the viewers to consume. These types of posts provide a sense of rebellion against societal expectations to negative events. The viral nature of social media also allows for it to have a more far-reaching effect and be consumed by more users, which boosts the popularity. 

   

The SLO Comedy Festival will return from Feb 27-Mar 2 of this year. While Hooper will not be in attendance again, an array of comedians who promote dark humor in a similar way will be taking the stage. Information on ticket sales and show rating can currently be found on the SLO Comedy Festival website.