Examines humorous content of today's television sitcoms in attempt to explain how we got from "Stan and Ollie to Shirley and Laverne" or from exemplary humor to the mundane social commentary of present-day situational comedy. Concludes that the sitcom depends on making comedy out of collision between social change and tradition, exploiting social…

Humorously advocates the revival of "clotheiognomy", the art of discovering temperament and character from apparel.(EL)

With attention to Carlyle's and his contemporaries' reactions to his humour, this study examines Carlyle's theory and describes important practical successes and difficulties he had with it." (Author)

Illustrates, through the story of elementary-school teacher Jan Cogley, how improvisation, drama, and comedy can be used to emphasize learning so that children will enjoy and remember. (MP)

Presents a personal tribute in memory of the work of eccentric writer and performer Spike Milligan. Celebrates and examines Spike's absurdist poetry and sketches for children in the context of both British nonsense traditions and the poetry of American writer Ogden Nash and Dr. Seuss. (SG)

Finds that women's preferences for comedy television programs were strongest immediately prior to and during menses when negative affect was also most evident. Finds also that at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, when positive affect proved the strongest, an elevated interest in suspense drama programs was apparent. (SR)

Proposes that individual forensic events, particularly after dinner speaking, should be modeled after real-world situations. Explores two analogues (comedy clubs and political humor arenas like the Gridiron Club) which could improve the quality of the after dinner speaking events by offering students illuminating principles and practical…

Discusses the use of "Commedia," a way of performing inspired by the historical "Commedia dell' Arte." Notes that it has proved a fertile source of inspiration for all types of physical and stylized theatre and a useful training tool for performers in many fields. Presents a series of exercises designed to introduce the student to Commedia…

This study explored the feasibility of using a first-person narrative style for video description of an animated comedy, "Odd Job Jack." It found that viewers who are blind find the first-person style more engaging, entertaining, and preferable but less trustworthy than the more conventional third-person description style.

In a celebration of the expansiveness and inclusiveness of farce, this book describes the art form rather than defines it. Part 1 illustrates the nature of farce and its relationship to tragedy, comedy, and melodrama. Part 2 is a cumulative biography of farce, beginning with Greek and Roman writers and continuing through Shakespeare, Moliere, and…

The one-act, royalty-free plays in this book dramatize notable events in United States history. Historical selections include dramatizations of the Declaration of Independence, the Boston Tea Party, the Continental Army at Valley Forge, the birth of the Constitution, and George Washington crossing the Delaware and feature such historic figures as…

This paper discusses generally Neil Simon's plays; specifically examines "God's Favorite,""Plaza Suite,""Barefoot in The Park,""Star Spangled Girl,""Come Blow Your Horn," and "Last of the Red Hot Lovers"; and quotes reviews of the plays. An examination of the composition of the plays…

Results of this study indicate that violent content in comic cartoon programs is recognized as violent by children, and not regarded as merely humorous. (Author/STS)

Looks at the problems that can arise when writing is taught as a process, independent of subject matter. Shows how comedy can be used as an organizational theme for composition classes to give students experience in the recognition, analysis, creation, and expansion of ideas. (DMM)