Comedy We call cultural content meant primarily to generate laughter and mirth comedy Most if not all genres include comedic elements Some argue that any story where the lowborn or putupon rise to a higher station and a better end is a comedy ID: 138938
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ComedySlide2
Comedy
We call cultural content meant primarily to generate laughter and mirth “comedy”
Most, if not 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 comedySlide3
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 comedySlide4
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
Culturally specific
Consequently, comedy does not ‘travel well’
Action/adventure, Horror, etc. seem to be more effective in crossing bordersSlide5
Why do we find things funny?
1. Incongruity theory
Cognitive scientists have concluded that one of the main sources of pleasure from comedy is the realization that once the content disconfirms our expectations we attempt to make sense of the newly defined content. When we do so we may have a positive affective experience (mirth, happiness, satisfaction)
The “ah-ha” momentSlide6
The new connection should not be mundane, but surprising and unusual
T
his sort of connection can range from the subtle to the bizarreSlide7
One view is that two scripts are unfolding simultaneously, with one obvious and the other hidden. At some point, the narrative switches the two and the audience member adjusts to the switch.
Too difficult--bothersome or offensive
People don’t ‘get it’
Too easy—not funny, obvious
The second script must remain hidden till the right momentSlide8
Comedic examples
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 humorSlide9
Why do we find things funny?
2. Superiority theory
We get an ego boost from looking down on others, enhancing our self-image
Humor is a means to denigrate another that does not require physical violence
However, the more physically or socially dominant normally has the greater ability to engage in cut-down humor than does the lesser
Occasionally, those lower in the hierarchy can claim a victory through wit (especially when the more powerful don’t understand the joke)Slide10
Feelings of superiority
Widely-shared humor based on superiority may trade in stereotypes
Allows the comic to say “It’s just a joke”
Those who are not the target have a tendency to see such portrayals as harmless, all in good fun
Members of the targeted groups often find the portrayals offensive because their identity is tied to the group being made fun ofSlide11
Comedic examples
Silliness/weird behavior
Stupidity
Cut-down humor, especially when aimed at the powerlessSlide12
Why do we find things funny?
3. Disposition theory
Zillmann
:
We don’t find good things happening to good people to be funny
The more the victor is liked and the victim disliked, the greater the humor
Perceptions of justice and retaliatory equity
“Humor and comedy seem exceedingly partial to dishing out put-downs, mishaps, insults and outright humiliations” (2000)Slide13
Why do we find things funny?
4. Subversion of authority
Humans resent being controlled for even good reasons. There is a natural tendency to push back against social control of any sort.
Mocking the powerful
Flouting social conventionSlide14
Comedic examples
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 groinSlide15
Engaging in bad behavior
Those who break the normative rules of society are often seen as inherently funny for having done so
They may espouse a philosophy that contradicts widely held norms, make a mockery of social customSlide16
Comedic examples
Beavis and Butthead
The Simpsons
30 RockSlide17
Why do we find things funny?
5. Catharsis theory (Freud)
Release of tensions caused by
self-imposed
limitations meant to meet societal requirements
Same sorts of predictions as Subversion of Authority, different mechanism
Sexual humor, bad behavior
Gross-out humorSlide18
Gross-out humor
Sick humor
Dark humorSlide19
Factors often are combined
For example, surprise and ‘bad behavior’ may be mixed togetherSlide20Slide21
Important context
Comic frame of mind
Certain clues in the narrative make clear that one is not to take it seriously
Once in a comic frame of mind, misfortunes or criticisms evoke humor rather than pity
We are free to react to tendentious (anti-person) humor when a non-tendentious joke, etc. is told
Tendentious is more intensely funny but frowned upon sociallySlide22
Situation ComediesSlide23
Comedy subgenres
Romantic/Sex
Screwball
Dark (black)
Satire
Buddy
Mocumentary
Parody
Road
Slacker