Hi Sharon: that's a fascinating topic. I looked for the study and I'm assuming you mean this one: The Irony of Satire: Political Ideology and the Motivation to See What You Want to See in The Colbert Reportby LaMarre et al. Yes? You also allude to other "Recent studies" -- can you mention a few of the ones you find most intriguing? thanks, --Hal B. ************************* > Modern Language Association Annual Convention 2012 > Seattle, 5-9 January 2012 > > Satire's Double-Edged Irony > > The American Humor Studies Association is seeking papers that explore the > often > ambiguous nature of satire's object, the lines that blur between satire and > celebration, and the difficulty of predicting or controlling audience > response. > > Recent studies, such as "The Irony of Satire," suggest that the perception > of > satire's object often rests in the reader's or viewer's own biases. This > panel > is interested in exploring the implications of this ambiguity in the > production, > deployment, and teaching of satire. How does this affect satire's > admittedly > subversive purpose? Is this satire's power, its limitation, or both? > > 250-word abstracts by 15 March 2011. > Sharon McCoy > [log in to unmask] > [log in to unmask] > -- Harold K. Bush, Ph.D Professor of English Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h) <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>