Response to "Lead blog Sept 21- Jim Gaffigan and the superiority theory"

I thoroughly enjoyed Katherine's analysis of Jim Gaffigan's methods of humor (though I enjoyed the attached comedy clips much more than the actual analysis). While I would agree that Gaffigan's style often employs the superiority theory, mainly by allowing the audience to laugh at accounts of his own life, I would assert that (from the few clips I've seen) Gaffigan employs relief theory as often, if not more often than the superiority theory. Gaffigan seems to reference the woes of daily life, such as the struggles of marriage and parenthood, inability to lose weight, inconveniences at the gym, etc., then makes light of them in order to lessen their significance. This provides relief, not only to the audience but also to himself, from the stresses of quotidian issues. Similar to Jim Gaffigan, the British comedy show "That Mitchell and Webb Look" is sure to give you a good laugh through the use of both the superiority and relief theories of humor. One of my favorite episodes, entitled "Brain Surgeon," is a perfect example of this utilization. Lionel, a brain surgeon and the focus of the skit, constantly minimizes the careers of the other guests at a party by claiming that they're "not exactly brain surgery." As he continually repeats this line, the audience laughs because they all know someone as obnoxiously pompous as this character, and can not only make light of the irritation of this situation (relief theory), but can also feel more socially apt than this man due to his lack of popularity among the guests (superiority theory). However, the real superiority theory comes into play when a new guest arrives, and introduces himself as Jack the rocket scientist. Lionel uses the same brain surgeon line, and Jack responds with, "It's not exactly rocket science, is it?" He successfully puts the boastful Lionel in his place and asserts his superiority, and the audience shares in his moment of glory. I think this scene goes to show how, just as in Jim Gaffigan's shows, a good balance of the superiority and relief theories of humor can go a long way to amuse an audience.

View the clip from "That Mitchell and Webb Look" here.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 27, 2018 at 6:18 PM

    I believe that the successfulness of any comedian is how they use as many of the theories as they can to receive the most amount of laughter. I don't think that a good comedian will use only one certain type of joke because it could potentially be biased towards any one person's type of humor. So I agree with both you and Katherine that Gaffigan uses the superiority theory as well as the relief theory in his acts.

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  2. Shane HerronSeptember 28, 2018 at 12:47 PM

    That's great that you like Mitchell and Webb! I have not met many people my age, let alone your age, who like it. Have you ever seen peep show? Yes I do think that these shows all do a good deal of self deprecation and British comedy in general is known for that.

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