"Diffrient explores the ways in which social imaginaries related to "bad behavior" have been humorously exploited over the years through his examination of a broad range of network and cable TV shows across the history of the medium"-- Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this book demonstrates how the history of TV comedy is also a history of stereotypes of bad behaviors and our changing understanding of their roles in our lives. ― Amanda Ann Klein, East Carolina University This is the rare book that is both theoretically rich and thoroughly entertaining. . . . An original and groundbreaking study that shows us why comedy matters. ― Joanne Morreale, Northeastern University From The Honeymooners to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Diffrient’s triumphantly wide-ranging analysis of television comedy delivers a sophisticated and decidedly fun take on the medium’s longstanding reliance on 'bad' behavior. ― Alice Leppert, Ursinus College Diffrient’s book demonstrates how television comedy defines and polices behavior within the culture. . . . A valuable work that ought to provide a model for the field. ― Philip Scepanski, author of Tragedy Plus Time: National Trauma and Television Comedy Comic Drunks, Crazy Cults, and Lovable Monsters is more than just an in-depth survey of television comedy and its preoccupation with the immoral, the unacceptable, and the inappropriate; it is a compelling history of the medium, an intriguing cultural study, and a thoughtful examination of just who and what we are. In short, his book about being bad is very, very good. ― Douglas Howard, coeditor of Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls Such expansive close analysis rooted within rigorous historiography offers a refreshing read within television studies, impressive scholarship indeed. ― Christine Becker, University of Notre Dame Demonstrating an almost encyclopedic knowledge of television history, Diffrient provides a captivating examination of our cultural fascination with comic drunks, cults, and monsters. ― Amanda Konkle, Georgia Southern University Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this book demonstrates how the history of TV comedy is also a history of stereotypes of bad behaviors and our changing understanding of their roles in our lives. This is the rare book that is both theoretically rich and thoroughly entertaining. . . . An original and groundbreaking study that shows us why comedy matters. From The Honeymooners to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Diffrient’s triumphantly wide-ranging analysis of television comedy delivers a sophisticated and decidedly fun take on the medium’s longstanding reliance on 'bad' behavior. Diffrient’s book demonstrates how television comedy defines and polices behavior within the culture. . . . A valuable work that ought to provide a model for the field. Comic Drunks, Crazy Cults, and Lovable Monsters is more than just an in-depth survey of television comedy and its preoccupation with the immoral, the unacceptable, and the inappropriate; it is a compelling history of the medium, an intriguing cultural study, and a thoughtful examination of just who and what we are. In short, his book about being bad is very, very good. Such expansive close analysis rooted within rigorous historiography offers a refreshing read within television studies, impressive scholarship indeed. Demonstrating an almost encyclopedic knowledge of television history, Diffrient provides a captivating examination of our cultural fascination with comic drunks, cults, and monsters. An in-depth look at the treatment of controversial subjects in television sitcoms. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this book demonstrates how the history of TV comedy is also a history of stereotypes of bad behaviors and our changing understanding of their roles in our lives. ― Amanda Ann Klein, East Carolina University This is the rare book that is both theoretically rich and thoroughly entertaining. . . . An original and groundbreaking study that shows us why comedy matters. ― Joanne Morreale, Northeastern University From The Honeymooners to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Diffrient’s triumphantly wide-ranging analysis of television comedy delivers a sophisticated and decidedly fun take on the medium’s longstanding reliance on 'bad' behavior. ― Alice Leppert, Ursinus College Diffrient’s book demonstrates how television comedy defines and polices behavior within the culture. . . . A valuable work that ought to provide a model for the field. ― Philip Scepanski, author of Tragedy Plus Time: National Trauma and Television Comedy Comic Drunks, Crazy Cults, and Lovable Monsters is more than just an in-depth survey of television comedy and its preoccupation with the immoral, the unacceptable, and the inappropriate; it is a compelling history of the medium, an intriguing cultural study, and a thoughtful examination of just who and what we are. In