The DD comedy promotion month is coming to a close so we're having a Quackcast focussing on comedy in general this time. Tantz, Banes and I talk about comedy, how it works, and what makes something funny, and ironically that's one if the least funny things you can talk about!

There are a lot of different kinds of comedy: puns, slapstick, cruelty based comedy, taboo based humour, humiliation based comedy, non-sequitur "random" humour, cute comedy, intellectual comedy, satire, toilet humour etc. I heard the other day that "slapstick" (physical comedy), gets it's name from the noise making "slap-sticks" used by the harlequin clowns in the commedia dell'arte plays from the 1500s. They'd use those to mark when something was funny and the audience was supposed to laugh, though that sounds a little dubious to me…

Personally I think the simple "subverting of expectations" neatly explains the methodology behind most if not all comedy: You set something up which comes with its own inerrant expectations, then you surprise people by giving them a conclusion that goes against those expectations, while still fitting in with the logic of the scenario presented. And if things are done right, then you find it funny! That explains puns, humiliation, physical humour, crude humour, anything! This is why the typical number of panels in a gag comic is 4, because that's the easiest way to do setup: You present the concept, you set it up, you provide a complication or question, then you surprisingly subvert it. I did not invent that idea BTW.

Then there's also relatability VS specificity: The more relatable something is, the easier it is for most people to find it funny. But if it's too general then it's seen as lame and obvious. Specific subjects can be cuttingly funny but you limit your audience right down. Related to this: In the Quackcast Banes mentions the idea that comedy helps to tell truths at the heart of things. I do not think that's the case, I think it's just that easy generalities connect with more people, so when you surprise them with your subversion more of them will react and agree that it's funny, rather than because it's a "truth". People often say comedians are "truth-tellers", though again, they're just being relatable with very simplified concepts.

I'm examining comedy in a very raw and basic way here that is entirely unfunny! I don't think many people approach it that way when coming up with jokes. For most of us we rely on our instincts and what makes us laugh rather than thinking about how it works and why it's funny. How do you approach comedy?

This week our best-off from Gunwallace is: Bruno Harm - an appropriate Rockford files style intro for a guy who thinks he's Peter Gunn. Added comedy lines! Originally from Quackcast 278, 5th of July, 2016

Topics and shownotes

Featured comic: Pieces of Lingering Dust - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2026/apr/21/featured-comic-pieces-of-lingering-dust/

Featured music: Bruno Harm - http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Bruno_Harm/ - by Bruno Harm, rated E

April comedy them month! - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2026/apr/24/funny-stuff/

Special thanks to: Gunwallace - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Gunwallace/ Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/ Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/ Kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/

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