No Billionaire Left Behind: Satirical Activism in America

The activists profiled in Haugerud's lively study of political satire don tuxedos and furs for rallies and hold champagne flutes as protest props. Under fictive, ultra-rich personas like "Alan Greenspend" and "Robin Eublind", the Billionaires question "the compatibility of wealth and democracy" through a polished form of "political street theater." Croquet on Central Park's Great Lawn or a tax-day stunt aboard the Boston Tea Party Ship Museum marry "humor, parody, surprise, and hidden identity" with "flashy visuals" to subvert their opponents' messages. Rutgers anthropologist, or "Ivana Itall", followed the group from 2004-2012 as a sympathetic observer attending meetings, interviewing members, and chatting with passersby in the wake of carefully coordinated antics. Behind-the-scene details like prank-day jitters or the hours of improvisation and mannerism practice needed to get into "billionaire shape" should charm fans of Stephen Colbert's satirical comedy, while grassroots organizations from any political bent will appreciate Haugerud's analysis of the efficacy of parody and image marketing. A danger of their theatrics is that details of the issues they champion can get lost among the irony-deficient. Nevertheless, Haugerud successfully illuminates America's staggering wealth inequality at the core of the Billionaire's message while investigating the comedic possibilities and limitations of their methods. (May)