Flipping off political complacency and cynicism: satyric satire as a comic corrective in Bill Maher’s 2014 #FlipADistrict campaign

Abstract

In January of 2014, comedian Bill Maher sought to alter Americans’ perception of the federal political system through a satirical advocacy campaign named #FlipADistrict. Through an alternative reading of Kenneth Burke’s understanding of satire, scapegoating, and mortification, I argue that #FlipADistrict fostered a critical sense of political awareness and responsibility in Maher’s televised audience. By outlining a comically oriented form of satire or satyric satire, this essay connects political humour to Burke’s comic frame. Rather than fostering cynicism, this essay posits that #FlipADistrict’s comically oriented form of satire advocated Americans become aware of their piety to political partisanship or complacency.