Since Wyndham Lewis coined the term “global village” in his 1948 book “America and the Cosmic Man,” the “globalization” of everything has happened. The Internet has slammed the door on provincial thinking.
Today, you can find American brands in the heart of Africa, cell phones working on a train through Eastern Europe, and wireless networking in the Yukon.
The globalization of humor has followed, but what makes something universally funny?
“There are all kinds of humor”, states Dan Rupple, who has taught humor at several universities and is a producer/writer with Padded Room TV. To paraphrase Groucho Marx, “People laugh in many different ways and cry in only one.”
A look into comedy theory offers a different number of reasons why we laugh. The “Theory of Incongruity” is the concept of surprise and irony–an event that isn’t logical or rational. This theory was actually developed by philosopher Immanuel Kant, so next time someone calls your “ironic” commercials low class have them look up Kant.
The “Theory of Superiority” is about ridicule. Comparing something (or someone) better to something worse. In extreme cases, it can result in racist jokes, sick humor or merciless ridicule.
The “Theory of Aggressive Release,” was a concept championed by Sigmund Freud, who identified comic pleasure with the release from adult inhibitions.
The “Theory of Play” encompasses fun, good natured kidding or jesting. This theory was suggested long ago by Aristotle. The “ridiculous” is whatever is out of time and place, but without danger.
When I asked Dean Batali (seven years as a writer on That 70’s Show) about comedy, part of the discussion turned serious. “There is something very communal about getting a bunch of people to laugh at the same thing,” he says. “That’s probably why they add laugh tracks to some shows–to make people think they are agreeing with other people on what’s funny. But the truth is, I find comedy a good way to prepare people for deeper meaning.”
Comedy is a unique code that all cultures understand. If the world would have one language we would definitely have fewer problems based on misunderstanding. Basically, humor is a way of returning back before Babel.
In an age of terrorism, we need comedy more than ever. If we’re going to have a chance to reach across the cultural divide, comedy may be the best method because it’s a simple, common language that transcends culture, politics and geography. Plus, the fact that it’s difficult to do creates writers and directors that must rise to a higher standard. Which may explain the classic (and last) quote from actor Edmund Gwenn: “Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult.”
Director Philip Cooke is a founding partner in production house TWC, Santa Monica.
