8 March 2026

It’s all fun and games until you have to take a deep dive of 1930s farce that went “structural” in its comedic critique.

I am taking a course on US political comedy this semester. While I have developed a fondness for Groucho Marx and Guy Kibbee, my first assignment has just reminded me that this class is about much more than just watching movies in the dark. 

Normally, I don’t sweat history courses, but this professor and I go way back. As I mentioned previously, I have only ever gotten one C throughout college. That C came from this professor. I had an A going into his final and then completely shit the bed, so this is supposed to be my redemption tour. 

It’s not looking good for our hero.

This professor teaches unorthodox subjects that many would perceive as fun and easy. To counteract these misconceptions, he makes us break every single line of these movies and books down within the context of the time period. When we read Twain, for example, we took a look at the Reconstruction Era as well.

If I were ever able to specialize in Reconstruction history and teach it I would die a happy man. I am absolutely fascinated by the era. 

It’s funny because when I was a kid and even into my 20s, I thought the Civil War was boring, and I barely knew anything about what America was like following it, except that the slaves were freed.

I cared more about Norman England, Rome, Greece, and all kinds of other far-off people and cultures. American history, though? I couldn’t be bothered.

Check this out. Abraham Lincoln freed the Southern slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. All persons held as slaves within the Confederacy became free. Badass!

What Abraham Lincoln did not do was abolish slavery within the North, where four states held slaves until 1865. A reward for staying in the Union, I guess. 

Anyway, I’m coasting on my natural talent instead of the hard work that got me this far, and it is not going great. I think I might be stupid, but I’m not sure.

Will I pull up the bootstraps? As Guy Kibbee says in The Dark Horse as the character Zachary Hicks, “Well, yes, but then again no…”

This spring ahead bullshit has me all messed up.

Good day,

JTC

P.S. Here is a link for anybody who wants to learn more about Reconstruction and how Rutherford B. Hayes was a dick.