Wednesday, April 16, 2014

10 Ways Academics Say Comedians Make Us Laugh

10 Ways Academics Say Comedians Make Us Laugh

3 comments:

Todd Mason said...

In one of the things I'm reading of late and will probably FFB, Harold Bloom wonders in a PARIS REVIEW interview if humor isn't more akin to religion, the study of it to theology, than it is to something that can be rationally analyzed. I think this checklist isn't too far wrong, but Bloom isn't too far wrong, either.

Todd Mason said...

Though the checklist twice approaches without actually citing surprise, which isn't necessary for laughter, but often helps. Of course, anticipation of where a joke is going can still be, or at least not diminish, what's funny as well...

mybillcrider said...

I agree that this was a better-than-usual list. I also agree about surprise. It often works very well.