JOE RAiola
The Joy of Censorship
A Fiery Talk on Free Speech, When Comedy Goes Too Far and the Wild History of MAD Magazine
AVAILABLE TALK
The Joy of Censorship: A Fiery Talk on Free Speech, When Comedy Goes Too Far and the Wild History of MAD Magazine
In his acclaimed solo program, the Joy of Censorship, Joe Raiola takes an insightful and satiric look at today’s most hotly debated free speech issues, including banned books, forbidden words, and censorship from the political right and left. He also traces the unlikely and colorful history of MAD Magazine, from renegade publisher William Gaines infamous showdown with the U.S. Senate over comic book censorship to the magazine’s emergence as a seismic satirical force. The program concludes with a visual presentation spotlighting many of MAD’s most controversial covers and features, and a provocative Q+A.
ABOUT
For 33 years, through the end of 2017, Joe Raiola was one of the legendary “Usual Gang of Idiots” at MAD Magazine churning out a steady stream of sharp social satire and inspired silliness. Joe is deeply embarrassed to have worked at the only place in America where if you mature you got fired. (Note: Joe was never fired.)
testimonials
“Exciting, interactive and controversially great!”
— Franklin Pierce College
“The Joy of Censorship brings the First Amendment into a dazzling new light.”
— Mercer University
“A spectacular presentation.”
— Kentucky Library Association
“A dynamic, high-energy program that takes a candid look at our cultural myths.”
— Hastings College