I am of course speaking of the art of comedy.

Last night I was checking out the channel guide and saw that Airplane 2 was on and then followed up by Fletch.  You know it is films like these that make you appreciate subtlety. If you are not paying attention you miss some of the funnier jokes.

Think about how many times you have watched Airplane, Naked Gun, Hot Shots, any Mel Brooks movie and other satirical or spoof flicks. Now think about how many times you have found jokes you missed before. It takes a certain kind of observational brilliance to be able to cram so many subtle jokes into one movie.

Satire and spoofs are not the only ones that use this type of humor to entertain us. There are several ways to in which these film makers hit us with the jokes which is why we miss so many and find a new appreciation for these films every time we sit down and watch them.

The Visual Joke:

Usually it is something in the back ground. You miss it half the time because your paying attention to the story and what the leads are doing and saying. It is on the repeated view that you pick up on it and say to yourself “How did I miss that?”

The Play On Words:

“Surely you can’t be serious”

“I am serious and don’t call me Shirley”

This is one of my favorites. Often it is a play on the literal use of figurative speech. These are the ones that get me to laugh every time. Abrams and the Zucker brothers are masters of this. Just watch the Airplane flicks again to realize what I am talking about.

This is the same of humor that made several comedians careers. The most notable being our dearly departed master of the play one words, George Carlin.

Obvious Stupidity:

Again I am going to go back to Abrams and the Zuckers. Think of all the stupid questions that get the sarcastic answers Airplane, Top Secret, Naked gun and any of their other flicks.

This just barely scratches the surface and that is on purpose. I do these things on purpose because I want you to tell me about the things you find. This is really is no fun for me without audience participation. I could go on and on every day on what ever subject but where is the fun in that. Any arrogant prick can give you a lecture but it takes a whore to have a discussion. Too much?

Have fun kids.