Page 104 - The Language of Humour

SPOKEN HUMOUR- TELEVISION AND RADIO 91
Activity
You should have watched a number of espisodes of Friends to become
familiar with the set features of the situation. For your analysis, select a
single episode on video or in script form. (You can, if you choose,
select a different sitcom and discuss a similar range of issues.) Although
there are lines, or gags, within the show, which have features of
incongruity with the potential for humour, you should concentrate on
the context in which they occur in order to account for their humorous
effect. Discuss the following questions. For questions 2, 3, 4 conduct a
brief survey of viewers to find their reactions.

1. In what way is the situation itself conducive to the
production of humour and laughter? Think about situations
in which you are more likely to joke and laugh.
2. What is it about the Friends’ situation that appeals to its
audience?
3. What are the characteristics of each of the six main
protagonists? Is it fair to say that they are each
representatives of character types with humorous potential?
4. How do the characters relate to each other in pairs or
smaller groups?
5. Find examples of gags for each character, or pair of
characters. Is the type of humour distinguished according to
that character or could the line be spoken by any?
6. What other characters are introduced into the situation?
What comic potential do they generate?

Commentary

1. The title of the sitcom points up a key factor: a group of friends
hanging out together is a situation which is ideal for laughter and
joking. Unlike, say, a meeting, there’s usually no practical goal that
the talk has to achieve; rather it’s part of enjoying being yourself in
the company of mutually appealing people. Knowing other people
well means that talk need not be so explicit, but can rely on all sorts
of shared knowledge and assumptions. Outsiders may well not