Comedy Comedy We call cultural content meant primarily

Comedy

Comedy • We call cultural content meant primarily to generate mirth “comedy” – All genres include comedic elements – Some argue that any story where the low-born or put-upon rise to a higher station and a better end is a comedy

• Comedy is not content-specific – May have to do with just about anything • Any setting, everyday or fantastic situations, most any plot, all kinds of characters • However, it is a genre that emphasizes the normal and mundane – Audience familiarity – Combines easily with content-based genres • • Romantic comedy Horror comedy Political comedy Cop comedy

• What is considered funny is not universal – What is fearful, sad, exciting are much more widely agreed upon – What is funny depends heavily upon the viewing context and audience characteristics as well as content • Consequently, comedy does not ‘travel well’ – Action/adventure, Horror, etc. seem to be more effective in crossing borders

Why do we find things funny? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Incongruity theory Superiority theory Disposition theory (Zillmann) Subversion of authority/norm-breaking Catharsis theory (Freud)

Incongruity • Jokes – Punchline provides the unexpected twist • Scenes of dialogue where the two actors misunderstand what the other is talking about • Actions taken that lead to different consequences than the actor/audience member would expect • Satire/Irony – considered the most advanced/cerebral of humor

Superiority • Silliness/weird behavior • Stupidity • Cut-down humor, especially when aimed at the powerless • Pain (but not too extreme)

Disposition • Humor in seeing bad behavior punished, good behavior rewarded – May run counter to incongruity

Subversion of authority • Political humor aimed at the president • Jokes about the high and mighty – Late-night monologues • • • Celebrity misfortunes, etc. Kids swinging the bat, hitting dad in the groin Beavis and Butthead The Simpsons 30 Rock

Catharsis • Gross-out humor • Sick humor • Dark humor

Factors often are combined • For example, surprise and ‘bad behavior’ may be mixed together

Important context • Certain clues in the narrative make clear that one is not to take it seriously • Outrageousness of plot, characterization is meant to undermine the realism of the portrayal and the seriousness of the narrative • Once in a comic frame of mind, misfortunes or criticisms evoke humor rather than pity • Unless true pain and suffering are portrayed

Comedy subgenres • • Romantic/Sex Screwball Dark (black) Satire • • • Buddy Mocumentary Parody Road Slacker

Comedy formats • • • Sitcom Dramedy Sketch comedy Stand-up comedy Improvisational comedy Animated comedy

Situation Comedies • Mundane settings – Home or office • Normal main characters • Eccentric but not manic peripheral characters • Comedy from everyday problems – May center around bad behavior on the main character’s part – Usually a continuing goal that generates plots

• Comedy is generated by exaggerated and unexpected or even foolish behavior intended to deal with problems/accomplish objectives – Surprise comes from eccentric actions of sidekick, etc.

Dramedies • Mix comedy with important social critique • More ‘cerebral, ’ more demanding of audience – Can cause confusion as to the appropriate response – Northern Exposure – M*A*S*H* – Boston Legal

• David Simpson at: http: //condor. depaul. edu/dsimpson/tlove/comic-tragic. html