Political Humor in KVN (1986–1999)

Abstract

The article traces evolution of political humor in popular Russian television game KVN in 1986-1999. The online survey, which involved 100 KVN fans aged 41-65, helped to figure out what political sketches or gags are the most memorable and might reflect the problems of the period. The author analyzes the show's content taking into consideration the main political and economic events which took place in the USSR during Perestroika and later in the Russian Federation in the 1990s. Having studied KVN's archive video materials (1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999), a documentary series History of Russian humor (2012), academic works of Russian and Western scholars, and mass media publications on the game, the author noticed the change in humor modus during those years. Tough criticism of the Soviet system combined with hopes for positive changes in the late 1980s. The teams joked on domestic issues, corrupt politicians, disintegration, territorial losses, and admired the Western lifestyle in the 1990s. The game seemed to be above politics, but indirectly supported Boris Yeltsin during 1996 presidential campaign. KVN players were "homo sovieticus": they had common memories, background, and experience. The game worked as "soft power" uniting teams from the former USSR republics in one cultural territory.