This document discusses different types of humor and comedy. It defines humor and comedy, noting that comedy has taken different definitions over time such as Aristotle defining it as one of two main forms of drama. The document then discusses theories for why we find things amusing such as relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory. It also differentiates between high comedy, which provides social critique, and low comedy. Finally, it outlines different types of humor used in advertising and entertainment media such as slapstick, parody, stand-up comedy, dark comedy, comedy reality shows, and cartoons.

1. H U M O R A N D
C O M E D Y
BY
AFSHAN KHAN
2017-19

2. A B O U T U S
Elements has been in the
architecture business for
over 19 years. Chito
Chatase was the native
japanese cook that
specialises in sushi and
thought that it would be
nice to share the Japanese
Culture along the busy
streets of New York.
A B O U T U S
Elements has been in the
architecture business for
over 19 years. Chito
Chatase was the native
japanese cook that
specialises in sushi and
thought that it would be
nice to share the Japanese
Culture along the busy
streets of New York.
H U M O U R
C O M E D Y
Humor can be seen as
anything that makes us
laugh or is amusing, or
the ability to recognize
what is funny about a
situation or person
Comedy has taken
different definitions
through the ages
Aristotle defined comedy
as one of two main
forms of drama—comedy
and tragedy
Most contemporary
views see comedy as a
form of humorous text

3. W H Y A R E W E A M U S E D ?
.
R E L I E F T H E O R Y S U P E R I O R I T Y T H E O R Y I N C O N G R U I T Y T H E O R Y
Reducing
physiological
tension caused by
the self-censoring
of the baser
instincts (Freud)
Sexual humor, bad
behavior
Gross-out humor
People feel
superior or gain a
victory over the
victims of humor
-Cut-down humor,
-satire
Violation of an
expected pattern
“provokes humor in
the mind of the
receiver”
(Buijzen &
Valkenburg)
Puns, irony,
surprise
s

4. High comedy provides a critique,
often quite stinging, of human
foibles and customs, social
structure and power, etc.
-Satire and irony
The Importance of Being Earnest
-Dark comedy
Humor relating to subjects
normally treated as very serious or
somber
H I G H
C O M E D Y
Low comedy does not imply any
social critique and is based on a
wide range of topics
-Romantic comedy
-Sexual innuendo
-Battle of the sexes
-Sitcoms
-Stupidity/Naiveté
-Cut-downs (physical appearance,
power differential)
-Slapstick
L O W
C O M E D Y

5. T Y P E S O F
H U M O R
Buijzen & Valkenburg’s
(2004) Ten Categories of comedy
used in advertising
-Slapstick
-Parody/spoof
-Stand-up comedy
-Black Humor/Dark Comedy
-Comedy Reality Shows
-Dramedy
-Silent comedy
-Candid Camera
-Variety
-Cartoons

6. Physical humor
Delight in the
misfortunes of
others
Unless it appears
that really serious
damage has been
done
However, note dark
(black) comedy
Slapstick Spoof/Parody Stand-up
comedyA parody (also called send-
up or spoof), in
contemporary usage, is a
work created to mock,
comment on, or poke fun
at an original work, its
subject, or author, or some
other target, by means of
humorous, satiric or ironic
imitation. Parody is not
necessarily critical—it may
be a loving parody.
A comedian (person
who tries to make
people laugh) stands up
in front of a crowd and
tells jokes and silly
stories

7. Dark Comedy Comedy
Reality Show
Dramedy
Use of humor to
assert dominance,
superiority
We snicker as
someone makes a
fool of himself or is
publicly humiliated
Norm-breaking
behavior seen as
inherently funny
Reality shows were
made to be
serious.
But somehow
everything changed
and now we have
dedicated comedy
reality shows talks
Funny story in a
dramatic way
which has many
episodes
telecasted on a
weekly or daily
basis

8. Silent
Comedy
Candid
Camera
Cartoons
Characters will not
speak in the show. But
the actions and
expressions of the
performer will make
the audience laugh
The clips will be
shot in public for
fun involving
public but they
don’t know that a
prank is played on
them
Series of animated
characters which
make people laugh.
As cartoon is based
on imagination of
the writer it is
possible to show
anything in a
cartoon which is
not possible in real
life.

9. N O T E :
Humor does not ‘travel well’ compared to other types of content
Action/adventure, etc. are more likely to be successful in foreign markets
The more sophisticated the humor, the larger the portion of the audience
that won’t ‘get it’
This often leads to disappointment to the person performing it
So my suggestion is to atleast applaud...!!!

10. T H A N K Y O U