Elements of Humor

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Elements of Humor Comedy Archetype Elements of Humor Incongruity Surprise Repetition Inversion Establishment of Superiority Exaggeration Slapstick Violence Incongruity The idea is that we laugh at things that surprise us because they seem out of place. Jim Gaffigan- Camping Surprise A mundane set-up followed by an unexpected conclusion. EX: My spaniel likes licking himself—lick, lick, lick—as if he were a popsicle. One day he stopped and melted. Left a poodle on the floor. Repetition A running gag where the audiences’ recognition of formula gains laughs Inversion Takes a recognizable character type or situation Gives the audience just enough to set up expectations Violates those expectations with a contradictory conclusion. EX: “I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous—everyone hasn’t met me yet.” —Rodney Dangerfield EX: I gave my cat a bath the other day. They love it. He just sat there and enjoyed it. It was fun for me. The fur kept sticking to my tongue, but other than that . (49) Establishment of Superiority Situations in which the audience feel superior to other people. Jokes at others’ expense, pranks, accidents America’s Funniest Videos Exaggeration Humor that intensifies some aspect of a character or a condition… Physical quality: “I was skinny. I’d turn sideways and disappear.”— Sherman Alexie Ability: I was such a bad student that in middle school I flunked lunch. Condition: “There were thirteen kids in my family. We were so poor we had to eat cereal with a fork, so we could pass the milk to the next kid. --Bernie Mac Slapstick Violence Physical humor. Lots of pratfalls, falling, being hit on the head, etc. The Three Stooges Small Group Activity Review your cartoons and explain the elements of humor present. Answer the question: Why is this funny? Scrubs Watch this episode of Scrubs and list examples of the types of humor used in the sitcom. .

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My Wonderful World of Slapstick
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