Same. Its probably my favorite reference on humor. There's two or three other books i'd put up in that echelon but Steve's book gets down the fundamental shit quickly and clearly. And, as you said, its actually a funny book. Always a good sign when the teacher can actually do the thing they're teaching.
I would watch this particular video and associate the interview as a description to the type of comedy that can also be found in movie spoofs (parodies)/satires. And I believe in the following quote: "Quit now, you'll never make it. If you disregard this advice, you'll be halfway there." - David Zucker - Co-Writer/Co-Director of "Airplane!"
That entire 'new neural pathway' idea (which is true) can be boiled down to one thing: irony. Most humor has irony as its foundation, bc irony implies the unexpected, which is why a new pathway is then needed. Every joke that works adds something to our well of knowledge that we did not know before, and was not expected. Jokes that can't do that, can't work. If someone can predict the punchline obviously, that will not be funny bc there is no 'unexpected'. But if they have an inkling, an unproven theory of what the punchline might turn out to be, that works really well, bc people love to be 'right' about their predictions when the prediction process implies a lot of thought or perceptibility. Then, the punchline is like a reward to them, for being clever enough to predict what might be typically unexpected, directly. In that case, the laughter is about the joke, but also reflects their joy in the fun of being right in their prediction, and feeling good about their ability to predict it. The 'surprising yet inevitable' concept works well for nearly all things in story, not just comedy. 'Surprising' refers to the moment info is revealed, which is typically climax (what happens in the climax of a scene should be expected enough to make sense yet surprising enough to not be predictable), while 'inevitable' applies to regarding what happened after it happens, which is typically a part of resolution.
@@olgagiles5773 You did as well, but you did it in FOUR WORDS! 'Head on the nail' is a perfect example of what I was speaking about (and Mr. Kaplan). It's an example of the unexpected, and why the unexpected, and irony, are what cause the emotional reaction that makes something funny. Kudos. It's also an example of why creating humor is so elusive. It has to be spontaneous (or appear to be spontaneous) to carry that element of surprise. Once it is thought through, or 'engineered' to be funny, it can only be funny to the audience (which is of course the important target here). But that element of surprise is then gone for the creator of the humor, and so to them, it doesn't feel all that funny anymore.
Everything you're exposed to, be it nightly news, processed foods, church, everything is ALL designed to manipulate your brain chemistry. Approach everything without fear, but rather with a spirit of joy, and healthy skepticism... A great awakening is happening, don't miss the boat.
When it is too close to real life! EXACTLY! Laughing at ourselves at one step removed to distance ourselves from the pain. Is this real? Can this happen to people? How do we survive it all? Has this happened to you too? Really? Is it me or just everybody? Relatable material.
How could you not hate "this is Us"? hah, it was like Hallmark channel on mainstream TV. As always Neuroscientist Dr. Steve Kaplan is great, thanks for the video.
I'm glad he said Hacks (2021) with Jean Smart because there are five or six Hacks on IMDb. I didn't like Ted Lasso but I loved Reservation Dogs, although it's not really a comedy but a serious show with some funny moments.
I often laugh because the character does exactly what in my mind has to happen. In "The Big Bang Theory," the Sheldon character is so unusual he becomes predictable. And for me, I laugh because he does the thing that he has to do to be consistent.
Yea things my not be the same when you do it again it’s gotta have the magic like when it just came out of you when you were just being free. Good to capture it go back and take a look see.
I'll laugh at myself now during a panic attack. It's a somatic event that becomes just enough beyond control that all one can do is become an unwilling witness to it. You try everything to work yourself out of it (besides escape), and gradually learn how so ineffective that is that all you can do is just laugh at yourself in the end. Short answer, I laugh for my mental health.
![Structuring A Comedy Screenplay: The Comic Hero's Journey - Steve Kaplan [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/1.gif)
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
Steve Kaplan's book "The Hidden Tools of Comedy" is as indispensable as it is funny to read. I refer to it constantly.
Same. Its probably my favorite reference on humor. There's two or three other books i'd put up in that echelon but Steve's book gets down the fundamental shit quickly and clearly. And, as you said, its actually a funny book. Always a good sign when the teacher can actually do the thing they're teaching.
What do you think? Please post a comment below.
I would watch this particular video and associate the interview as a description to the type of comedy that can also be found in movie spoofs (parodies)/satires. And I believe in the following quote: "Quit now, you'll never make it. If you disregard this advice, you'll be halfway there." - David Zucker - Co-Writer/Co-Director of "Airplane!"
Laughing at yourself is not rare at all! Come to Scotland - we do it all the time!
That entire 'new neural pathway' idea (which is true) can be boiled down to one thing: irony. Most humor has irony as its foundation, bc irony implies the unexpected, which is why a new pathway is then needed. Every joke that works adds something to our well of knowledge that we did not know before, and was not expected. Jokes that can't do that, can't work.
If someone can predict the punchline obviously, that will not be funny bc there is no 'unexpected'. But if they have an inkling, an unproven theory of what the punchline might turn out to be, that works really well, bc people love to be 'right' about their predictions when the prediction process implies a lot of thought or perceptibility. Then, the punchline is like a reward to them, for being clever enough to predict what might be typically unexpected, directly. In that case, the laughter is about the joke, but also reflects their joy in the fun of being right in their prediction, and feeling good about their ability to predict it.
The 'surprising yet inevitable' concept works well for nearly all things in story, not just comedy. 'Surprising' refers to the moment info is revealed, which is typically climax (what happens in the climax of a scene should be expected enough to make sense yet surprising enough to not be predictable), while 'inevitable' applies to regarding what happened after it happens, which is typically a part of resolution.
Good post Tom!
Great explanation Tom. You hit the head on the nail...ha ha
@@olgagiles5773 You did as well, but you did it in FOUR WORDS! 'Head on the nail' is a perfect example of what I was speaking about (and Mr. Kaplan). It's an example of the unexpected, and why the unexpected, and irony, are what cause the emotional reaction that makes something funny. Kudos.
It's also an example of why creating humor is so elusive. It has to be spontaneous (or appear to be spontaneous) to carry that element of surprise. Once it is thought through, or 'engineered' to be funny, it can only be funny to the audience (which is of course the important target here). But that element of surprise is then gone for the creator of the humor, and so to them, it doesn't feel all that funny anymore.
This is a gem bro would help aspiring comedy writers
Currently reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and it makes me laugh out loud. Not sure I like the book, but it does make me laugh.
Great question (What makes someone laugh?) Great answer. Thank you!
Everything you're exposed to, be it nightly news, processed foods, church, everything is ALL designed to manipulate your brain chemistry. Approach everything without fear, but rather with a spirit of joy, and healthy skepticism... A great awakening is happening, don't miss the boat.
When it is too close to real life! EXACTLY! Laughing at ourselves at one step removed to distance ourselves from the pain. Is this real? Can this happen to people? How do we survive it all? Has this happened to you too? Really? Is it me or just everybody? Relatable material.
This was interesting!
How could you not hate "this is Us"? hah, it was like Hallmark channel on mainstream TV. As always Neuroscientist Dr. Steve Kaplan is great, thanks for the video.
I'm glad he said Hacks (2021) with Jean Smart because there are five or six Hacks on IMDb. I didn't like Ted Lasso but I loved Reservation Dogs, although it's not really a comedy but a serious show with some funny moments.
I often laugh because the character does exactly what in my mind has to happen. In "The Big Bang Theory," the Sheldon character is so unusual he becomes predictable. And for me, I laugh because he does the thing that he has to do to be consistent.
If you have to explain a joke...than it isn't funny.
Yea things my not be the same when you do it again it’s gotta have the magic like when it just came out of you when you were just being free. Good to capture it go back and take a look see.
🙌🏼❤
Stereotypes are funny. RUclips Dude Perfect Stereotypes.
Why do you laugh?
I have a condition
I'll laugh at myself now during a panic attack. It's a somatic event that becomes just enough beyond control that all one can do is become an unwilling witness to it. You try everything to work yourself out of it (besides escape), and gradually learn how so ineffective that is that all you can do is just laugh at yourself in the end. Short answer, I laugh for my mental health.
Because the man with the gun said so 🙁
This what I don’t get ‘why do I laugh’?