About this episode

Jo and Adam discuss the role of humor in Louis Theroux's documentary 'Inside the Manosphere' and Caro Claire Burke's novel 'Yesteryear'.

Jo and Adam discuss Louis Theroux's latest feature-length Netflix documentary, 'Inside the Manosphere'. exploring the role of humour in his filmmaking. From awkward timing and fourth-wall breaks to defamiliarisation and deadpan observation, they discuss what Theroux's distinctive (and often parodied) style owes to satire. They then turn to one of the most talked-about novels of the summer, Caro Claire Burke's 'Yesteryear', a satirical take on influencer culture, tradwife aesthetics, and the manosphere. Along the way they consider the novel's controversial relationship to the real-world phenomenon of Ballerina Farm and the online debates it has inspired. Also featuring: hot weather, Noel Coward, nipples and a update from Adam on his recent visiting fellowship at Ghent University, where he delivered a talk on cannibal satire.

People in this episode

Hosts: Jo, Adam

Topics covered

• satire
• documentary
• influencer culture
• tradwife aesthetics
• manosphere
• humor in filmmaking

Keywords

• satire
• Louis Theroux
• Inside the Manosphere
• Yesteryear
• Caro Claire Burke
• influencer culture
• tradwife aesthetics
• Ballerina Farm
• cannibal satire

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ballerina Farm

Books & works: Inside the Manosphere, Yesteryear

Places: Ghent University

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