Comedy: June 20, 2007 Issue [#1787]
<< June 13, 2007Comedy Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueJune 27, 2007 >>

Newsletter Header
Comedy


 This week:
  Edited by: Texas Belle Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Howdy, I’ll be your guest editor for this week’s newsletter. Actually, I guess that’s obvious since my name is right under the title. So, with no further ado let’s get to writing!

Comedy! A horse of a different color, which by any other name would still be called a rose. I know, I know that’s not a complete sentence, silly me. In this newsletter we are going to examine the four categories of comedy: Comedy of Manners, Romantic Comedy, Farce, and Burlesque. That is correct, all comedy either fits directly into one of four categories or is a combination of the four; however, before you start mixing and matching, arranging and rearranging let's look at each pure form's structure and characteristics.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99


Letter from the editor

Comedy of Manners

Often called “high comedy,” it is the most complicated writing because the writer must avoid obvious comical behavior; being funny without looking like the writer is trying to be funny. It can also be the most poignant because it takes on the "manners" or social morays of a society. The humor here is dependant on stylized characterization and stereotypes. The writer is generally lampooing the arrogance and elitism of high society but in a subtle way. The language in C of M is always sophisticated and refined; the humor comes in the clever turning of a phrase and not on the situations though a character's reaction to a situation may add to the humor. While puns are used, the writer must stay away from the obvious, trite and cliché. In order for this form to work the characters must be oblivious of the humor, it is never a raucous humor and often, in true Greek form, the reader is aware the character's foibles. Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, and Noel Coward are masters of this category. “Gosford Park” and “Postcards From the Edge” are modern examples of the comedy of manners.


Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy has enjoyed a resurgence over the past ten or so years. It is probably the most recognized comedic category by the modern audience. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, Rene Zellweger, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have made quite a nice living successfully starring in romantic comedies. Unlike the Comedy of Manners, Romantic Comedy depends heavily on the characters and situations. Even though they are light and always have a happy ending, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s easy to write. The difficulty lies in the fact that the characters and the situations must be believable. The reader must be able to identify with the characters, empathize with their plight, and plot must be feasible. The writer must suspend reality tin such a way that the happy ending occurs, as predicted, but the reader doesn’t feel that the ending was contrived.

Farce

Farce takes a bit from C of M and R/C and really stirs it up into a different comedic stew (sorry, I’m hungry right now). A well-written farce is dependent on characters, situations, broad humor, and the sight gag. Unlike the C of M, language is not sophisticated and serves as the vehicle leading up to the sight gag or punch line. Unlike the R/C, the situations are unbelievable but the reader doesn’t mind because the humorous outcomes far outweigh the unbelievability of the situation, think “Caddy Shack.” Obversely, though the humor is broad and the situations ridiculous, the humor is lost if the reader thinks that the writer is “trying too hard” to be funny. A paradox that only the most talented writer can negotiate. Remember though reality is suspended....ok, practically non-existent, the characters still have to come across as “real” people, in audience still must identify with the characters.


Burlesque

This is completely overtop, no holds barred, barely walking the line of form comedy. The humor is very broad and obvious, there is no reality based characters or situations. The category is so over the top that the writers will either write a short piece or combine it with one of the higher forms of comedy. Because of its dependence on broad, unsophisticated, and visual humor, burlesque is best served as a visual, or performance vehicle than written.


There you go, four categories for a genre that most people think is simply jokes and slap stick. Choose one of the forms and challenge yourself to write to the form, or combine them and add more depth to a comedic piece. Now, where's that stew I was thinking about earlier?

Much thanks to John Dietrich and his book Play Direction, for the intellectual cross pollenation..


Editor's Picks

Here are some delightfully humorous items for your enjoyment:


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



Veni. Vedi. Visa. Open in new Window. [13+]
Darth tabloid writing contest. #128
by Roscoe Author Icon



Yoda Remembers Open in new Window. [13+]
Even Yoda had a mother ...
by W.D.Wilcox Author Icon



Detective and Other Stories Open in new Window. [18+]
Phineas "Fin" Erkle detective stories, faux letters and short stories
by Dale Arthur Author Icon



Detective and Other Stories Open in new Window. [18+]
Phineas "Fin" Erkle detective stories, faux letters and short stories
by Dale Arthur Author Icon



 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

I couldn't find any questions and I had a bunch of answers:

Hello, 42, of course.

Yes, there are stupid questions people just choose to laugh at you on the inside.

Only if the penguins don't mind, they are a crazy-funny lot.

Usually, but I'm not sure.

Ask Wild Bill.

That was way too personal! But, yes, I do.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< June 13, 2007Comedy Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueJune 27, 2007 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.