Mad Magazine

Ficarra, John, Ed. Mad Magazine. Warner Brothers: New York: 2010.

Overview:
Mad Magazine began in 1952 and is still going strong 58 years later. One reason, nothing is sacred in Mad Magazine. Spoofs abound on every topic discussed in popular culture and politics. The Fundalini Pages, Random Acts of Mindless Department and the Self Loathing Department are a few of the regularly featured 'articles'. Part of the magazine looks like a comic book and the advertisements are spoofs as well. The May 2010 issue spoofs the Amish fireplace sold in other 'normal' periodicals. The inside back cover of each issue contains a 'Mad Fold-In'. The page asks a question like, "What stratospheric condition caused many not to fly this year?" The picture sort of relates in a 'Mad Magazine' kind of way. The reader folds the page so point A can meet point B and then the question has found an answer. "Sky high airline luggage fees is the answer to the above question.

Critical Evaluation:
Popular with the teen audience, Mad Magazine's anti-establishment humor fits right into the teen developmental phase of questioning authority. This magazine reminds me of a cleaner print version of Saturday Night Live. Never one to take itself too seriously, the magazine states in the fine print, "A similarity without satiric purpose to a living person is a coincidence." I'll bet Mad Magazine is a fun place to work.

Genre:
Popular Culture

Talking Points:
Politics
Art
Satire
The line between satire and defaming

Interest Level:
9th +

Why I Included This Item:
Everyone needs a little humor.