Defining camp

[ivyfic]

So, I've gotten into a debate about what "camp" means. Is self-awareness and self-parody a necessary part of camp?

[Poll #1290438]

Comments

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

I think "camp" requires self-awareness. I suspect I'm not alone in this.

[oblvndrgn.livejournal.com]

I agree. It has to be so exaggerated as to be a parody of something while being aware enough to play it straight and not wink to the audience. Wikipedia says the term comes from the Batman tv show and I'll buy that.

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

Wikipedia also says that camp can't be done intentionally--implying that it has to be unaware of its campy qualities. I call that corny or cheesy, though, not campy.