Spontaneity & Humor

Research Paper # 102240

Communication > Interpersonal
Communication > Language and Speech
Communication > Television

Spontaneity & Humor

This paper discusses the subject of spontaneity in humor focusing on flash mobs, television, Internet and art.

3,019 words () | 14 sources | APA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that the myth of fun has increasingly made its way into post-modern culture. The writer points out that sometimes the fun is participatory, like the flash mob fad or creating art, while others are through watching, such as comedy. One specific form of entertainment enjoyed by many people today is spontaneous humor. The writer notes that flash mobs, a name given to a group of people that gather in a public place for a short time to do something abnormal, originated in May of 2003. The writer maintains that all of the scenarios of spontaneous humor mentioned in the paper link together. The writer notes that happenings, absurd theater, and TV comedians have origins in Dadaism, while flash mobs and other groups like them have origins in the comedians. The writer concludes that the purposeless acts are a way to voice opinion in an odd, yet amusing way; however, because it is odd and amusing it captivates and fascinates more people.

From the Paper:

"The late night shows with Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Letterman, and other hosts are involved with spontaneous humor as well. The Leno show has segments such as having a talking photo booth where people sit in it for a wallet size photo, but the machine jokes with them about their current behavior inside the booth. People are confused and cannot understand how the machine knows what they are doing. Similarly, Leno has another skit where people at a gas pump can watch the news while pumping gas, but really the news station is watching them and will randomly converse with the person pumping their gas. People are bewildered on how the newscast can do such a thing and try to figure it out. Other times these hosts will stop people on the street and try to get them to perform something such as singing, telling a joke, or provide their insights on a certain topic. Because they are just random people on the street without preparation, the responses are often humorous."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bearman, Joshua. "The Zombie Zeit Geist" LA Weekly 30 Oct. 2006. 27 Nov. 2006 http://www.laweekly.com/film+tv/pass-the-paddles/the-zombie- zeitgeist/14878/
Buell, John DaDa online 19 March 1998. 27 Nov. 2006 http://www.peak.org/~dadaist/English/Graphics/
DaDa - The Anti-War Art Movement 2001-2005 Lilith Gallery 27 Nov. 2006 http://www.lilithgallery.com/arthistory/dada/arthistory_dada.html
Flash Mob. 26 Nov. 2006. Wikipedia. 27 Nov. 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob
Flashmugging - Flash mobs are fun, but be aware of flash muggers 27 Nov. 2006 http://www.technicola.com/flashmugging/