Framing Ethnic Stereotypes in Kenyan Stand-Up Comedy: A Case Study of Churchill Show Comedians

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the framing of ethnic stereotypes by comedians performing on the popular Kenyan stand-up comedy show, Churchill Show. Ethnic stereotyping in Kenyan stand-up comedy has generated sustained public and scholarly debate, with criticism especially directed at the Churchill Show, which ruled television screens for close to two decades. While many studies have examined the prevalence of ethnic stereotypes in the show, no study has examined the comedians and their reasoning and justification for using them. This study adopted a qualitative research approach, involving interviews with six comedians who appeared on the show over a one-year period from July 2017 to June 2018. The participants were purposively selected to represent performers active during that timeframe. In-depth interviews with key informants were carried out to explore how comedians frame and justify ethnic stereotypes, and the strategies they use in doing so. The findings suggest comedians mainly view their show as a reflection of society and don’t believe the comedy show plays any role in perpetuating and entrenching ethnic stereotypes in society. But they do take care not to offend the audience as they deliver the ethnic stereotypes. Some of the comedians favoured positive ethnic stereotypes rather than negative ones. This study recommends against the the use of ethnic stereotypes in television comedy shows and the training of comedians producing content for mass consumption on ethics, stereotypes, and the potential for humour to perpetuate them and cause harm.