Comedy We call cultural content meant primarily to generate mirth comedy 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: 150815
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ComedySlide2
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 comedySlide3Slide4
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 comedySlide5
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 bordersSlide6
Why do we find things funny
?
Incongruity theory
Superiority theory
Disposition theory (
Zillmann
)
Subversion of authority/norm-breaking
Catharsis theory (Freud)Slide7
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 humorSlide8
Superiority
Silliness/weird behavior
Stupidity
Cut-down humor, especially when aimed at the
powerless
Pain (but not too extreme)Slide9
Disposition
Humor in seeing bad behavior punished, good behavior rewarded
May run counter to incongruitySlide10
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
RockSlide11
Catharsis
Gross-out humor
Sick humor
Dark humorSlide12
Factors often are combined
For example, surprise and ‘bad behavior’ may be mixed togetherSlide13Slide14
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 portrayedSlide15
Comedy subgenres
Romantic/Sex
Screwball
Dark (black)
Satire
Buddy
Mocumentary
Parody
Road
SlackerSlide16
Comedy formats
Sitcom
Dramedy
Sketch comedy
Stand-up comedy
Improvisational comedy
Animated comedySlide17
Situation Comedies
M
undane 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 plotsSlide18
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.Slide19
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 LegalSlide20
David Simpson at: http
://condor.depaul.edu/dsimpson/tlove/comic-tragic.html