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xi Acknowledgments This book was inspired by a panel on dark humor at the 2010 Society for Cinema and Media Studies conference in Los Angeles. Organizing and participating in that panel, besides Thomas Leitch and the editor of this volume, both of whom offer contributions herein, were two insightful and articulate scholars whose work, centrally about television , could not fit the parameters of the collection: Lester D. Friedman and Martha P. Nochimson. The hunt for screen laughter in unexpected places originated with them in some vital way, so I hope that this anthology does service to their hopes and intent, and also expresses my gratitude to them for involving me in the project. To Nick White and Matt Thompson, my sincere thanks for affable and brilliant research assistance. Wheeler Winston Dixon has been a generous colleague. I am grateful as well to my colleagues at Wayne State University Press, including Barry Keith Grant, Jane Hoehner, Annie Martin, Kristin Harpster, and Maya Whelan and also to freelance copyeditor Eric Schramm. My cherished friend and collaborator Barton Palmer has been of invaluable assistance throughout. And for maintaining my own good humor while at work on all this variegated darkness, my love to Nellie Perret and Ariel Pomerance. Toronto October 2012 ...

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