A close inspection of stand-up comedy and comedic shows since 9/11 suggests that there has been an increase in the use of Holocaust humor in the world of American comedy. This talk not only explores the potential reasons behind this sudden outburst of laughs in the context of Auschwitz, but also aims to differentiate Holocaust humor that works and Holocaust humor that crosses the line. In other words, where does the ethical line fall? Can Holocaust humor ever be funny or inappropriate? Further, what does the prevalence of this kind of humor suggest about American society over the past decade? To what social or cultural phenomena might we attribute this comedic outburst?

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