Low comedy is a type of comedy characterized by "horseplay", slapstick or farce. Examples include somebody throwing a custard pie in another's face. This definition has also expanded to include lewd types of comedy that rely on physical jokes, for example, the wedgie.
[edit] History
This type of comedy has been a fixture ever since Greek plays. Low comedy was first denoted as comedy for the commoners because it was most often practiced by street performers. Over time as low comedy began to include lewd jokes and more physical comedy, more mainstream performers began to practice this type of comedy: stand-up comedians, musicals, etc. This type of comedy also was employed in most children's cartoons.
[edit] Low comedy today
Today low comedy can be seen in almost any production. Sitcoms often base most of their plot on this type of comedy. Modern adaptations of Shakespeare's plays also use low comedy to convey a different understanding of the play.
[edit] See also
- Buffoon. A word for people who act (voluntarily or not) funny.
- Three Stooges, three comedic performers who used primarily slapstick humor.
