Slapstick: Classic vs Crisis
Storyboard Text
- The concept of slapstick comedy has existed for many years and is still relevant in modern times. In Canada a good examples is Just for Laughs Gags. In America, the example is Jackass
- Slapstick humor comes from the initial fear that the performer will be hurt but the relief that the person is unharmed creates catharsis which leads to laughter
- Just for Laugh Gags plays with the tropes of Slapstick using misdirection. Instead of the obvious target, the consequence are aimed at someone else. This leads to a bigger catharsis when someone does get hit with something and has a international appeal
- Jackass in comparison has created a new genre called Crisis Slapstick. The punchline is that instead of avoiding injury, the catharsis comes from the shock of seeing the person with broken bones, cuts, and bruises
- However Crisis Slapstick weakness is that it can only appeal to those who have grown bored of regular Slapstick and thus has a smaller audience. This also raises the possibility that American slapstick will continue to escalate the danger of injury as they grow bored.
- What? Were you expecting me to pull a Jackass?
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