21st Century: Query 188 (Fred Allen)
~ Fred Allen, born John Florence Sullivan, was an American comedian. His absurdist, topically
pointed radio program The Fred Allen Show (1932–1949) made him
one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the Golden
Age of American radio.
Using humor, how
does Allen twist a virtue into a quasi-negative activity?
What does this
form of wit reveal about Allen?
Allen passed
away in 1956, long before the boon in formal exercise became a “thing.” How
does the overall fitness of the average 1950’s adult compare to that of a 2020
adult?
Do you see a
dissonance in this comparison? Why or why not?