Resource Guide for the Classroom: "Rock Out with Your Schnoz Out: The COVID Play"

Sketch Comedy Shows, Variety Shows, and Comedy News Shows

According to The Encyclopedia of Humor Studies Volume 2, “sketch shows are characterized by individual episodes that are made up of many shorter, typically stand-alone, comedic pieces," while “variety shows were composed of a series of performances, unconnected by narrative structure or unifying theme” (698, 783). In their early stages, variety shows often featured "classically trained female ballet dancers and male jig and clog dancers" (785). The influences of both of these styles of comedy can plainly be seen in Rock Out with Your Schnoz Out: The COVID Play. The structure of the play is much in the nature of a traditional sketch and variety show. The play is made up of a collection of individual sketches that bear little relation to one another outside of the unifying subject of COVID-19. Much like early variety shows, the play also features numerous dance breaks. 
 
According to The Encyclopedia of Humor Studies Volume 2, "satire news is a type of political media content that combines elements of both entertainment and public affairs." Comedy news shows are often "used as a vehicle to present the human folly of politics" (664) At the beginning of Rock Out with Your Schnoz Out: The COVID Play, there is an opening monologue similar to that of a satire news show. The two hosts summarize many of the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, all while joking about the pandemic's impacts.