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> And yet the joke is replicated endlessly as if each time it's possible for it to be new. Quite the opposite. It's replicated because it's now become a trope.
by brazzy 6y ago
> And yet the joke is replicated endlessly as if each time it's possible for it to be new.
Quite the opposite. It's replicated because it's now become a trope.
"Repetition is the essential comedic device": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_device#Repetition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_device#Repetition
- thom 6y agoThe essence of comedy is confounded expectations, and it’s true repetition can set this up, and in some cases itself be the joke, especially in standup where a comedian will stretch out a bit beyond people’s comfort zone. But it would be difficult to achieve that with Nouny McNounface at this point. Just making a callback isn’t funny. It’s only funny if it takes time to actually dawn on an audience that that’s what’s happening.
- Veen 6y agoWhen you've heard your kid tell the same "knock knock" joke 50 times, you'll realize that repetition alone isn't enough. Repetition is an important part of humour and communication in general, but context, surprise, originality, irony, and wit matter too.