Deadpan: Difference between revisions
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'''Deadpan''' is a form of [[comedy|comic]] delivery in which [[humor]] is presented without a change in emotion or [[body language]], usually [[voice|speaking]] in a casual, monotone, solemn, blunt, disgusted or matter-of-fact voice and expressing an unflappably calm, archly insincere or artificially grave demeanor. This delivery is also called '''dry wit''' when the intent, but not the presentation, is humorous, oblique, [[Sarcasm|sarcastic]], or |
'''Deadpan''' is a form of [[comedy|comic]] delivery in which [[humor]] is presented without a change in emotion or [[body language]], usually [[voice|speaking]] in a casual, monotone, solemn, blunt, disgusted or matter-of-fact voice and expressing an unflappably calm, archly insincere or artificially grave demeanor. This delivery is also called '''dry wit'''{{cn}} when the intent, but not the presentation, is humorous, oblique, [[Sarcasm|sarcastic]], or apparently unintentional. |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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The term "deadpan" first emerged as an [[adjective]] or [[adverb]] in the 1920s, as a [[compound word]] combining "dead" and "pan" (a [[slang]] term for the face). It was first recorded as a [[noun]] in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in 1927; a dead pan was thus 'a face or facial expression displaying no emotion, animation, or humour'. The [[verb]] deadpan 'to speak, act, or utter in a deadpan manner; to maintain a dead pan' rose in the early 40s. It stems from journalism rather than theatre. Today its use is especially common in humour from the [[United Kingdom]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[United States]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] |
The term "deadpan" first emerged as an [[adjective]] or [[adverb]] in the 1920s, as a [[compound word]] combining "dead" and "pan" (a [[slang]] term for the face). It was first recorded as a [[noun]] in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in 1927;{{cn}} a dead pan was thus 'a face or facial expression displaying no emotion, animation, or humour'. The [[verb]] deadpan 'to speak, act, or utter in a deadpan manner; to maintain a dead pan' rose in the early 40s. It stems from journalism rather than theatre. Today its use is especially common in humour from the [[United Kingdom]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[United States]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]]; it is also very much appreciated in [[France]], [[South Africa]] and [[Finland]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} |
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Many popular American sitcoms also use deadpan expressions, most notably ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' and ''[[Seinfeld]]''. Dry humour is often confused with [[highbrow]] or [[egghead]] humour. Although these forms of humour are often dry, the term dry humour actually only refers to the method of delivery, not necessarily the content. |
Many popular American sitcoms also use deadpan expressions, most notably ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' and ''[[Seinfeld]]''. Dry humour is often confused with [[highbrow]] or [[egghead]] humour. Although these forms of humour are often dry, the term dry humour actually only refers to the method of delivery, not necessarily the content. |
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==Deadpan violence== |
==Deadpan violence==<!--merged in from [[deadpan violence]] --> |
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| ⚫ | A classic example{{cn}} of deadpan violence as humour occurs in one of the variations on [[Monty Python]]'s skit "[[Cheese Shop sketch|Cheese Shop]]". After a long and civil discussion on the quantity of cheese available in the cheese shop, Mr. Mousebender tells the cheese merchant "I'm going to ask you that question ['Do you have any cheese?'] once more, and if you say 'no' I'm going to shoot you through the head. Now, do you have any cheese at all?" The merchant responds with a casual "no" and, true to his word, Mousebender shoots him. |
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A subtype of deadpan is ''deadpan violence''. |
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| ⚫ | Deadpan violence |
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| ⚫ | A classic example of deadpan violence as humour occurs in one of the variations on [[Monty Python]]'s skit "[[Cheese Shop sketch|Cheese Shop]]". After a long and civil discussion on the quantity of cheese available in the cheese shop, Mr. Mousebender tells the cheese merchant "I'm going to ask you that question ['Do you have any cheese?'] once more, and if you say 'no' I'm going to shoot you through the head. Now, do you have any cheese at all?" The merchant responds with a casual "no" and, true to his word, Mousebender shoots him. |
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Another example is in the 1993 film ''[[Falling Down]]'', in which the main character William Foster (played by [[Michael Douglas]]) is insulted by a man who has been waiting to use the phone booth previously occupied by Foster. He voices his irritation at Foster's prolonged use of the booth by saying "People have been waiting to use the phone." Foster responds to this by saying, "Well, you know what?", and using a submachine gun to destroy the phone, adds, "I think it's out of order." |
Another example is in the 1993 film ''[[Falling Down]]'', in which the main character William Foster (played by [[Michael Douglas]]) is insulted by a man who has been waiting to use the phone booth previously occupied by Foster. He voices his irritation at Foster's prolonged use of the booth by saying "People have been waiting to use the phone." Foster responds to this by saying, "Well, you know what?", and using a submachine gun to destroy the phone, adds, "I think it's out of order." |
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==Usage examples== |
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* [[Graham Chapman]] as "the colonel", and in several other roles as "[[stiff upper lip]]" authority figures, on ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' |
* [[Graham Chapman]] as "the colonel", and in several other roles as "[[stiff upper lip]]" authority figures, on ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' |
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* [[Stephen Colbert]] delivers humorous political commentary in a mock-serious deadpan manner |
* [[Stephen Colbert]] delivers humorous political commentary in a mock-serious deadpan manner |
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* [[David Duchovny]] as [[Hank Moody]] on the [[Showtime]] hit series ''[[Californication (TV series)|Californication]]'' |
* [[David Duchovny]] as [[Hank Moody]] on the [[Showtime]] hit series ''[[Californication (TV series)|Californication]]'' |
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| ⚫ | * [[Miss Kittin]] is known for her deadpan lyrics and vocals in songs such as "[[Frank Sinatra (Miss Kittin & The Hacker song)|Frank Sinatra]]"<ref name="villagevoicemusic">{{cite web| last=Werde| first= Bill |url =http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-01-29/music/music/| title = Music - Page 1 - Music - New York - Village Voice | work = [[The Village Voice]] | publisher = | date = 2002-01-29 | accessdate = 2011-02-25}}</ref> |
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* [[Aubrey Plaza]] in character as [[April Ludgate]] in the NBC sitcom [[Parks and Recreation]]. |
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*[[Max Weinberg]] often used deadpan in his banter with [[Conan O'Brien]] on his [[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|late night]] talk show |
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* [[Stewart Francis]] uses a deadpan style in his stand up routine consisting entirely of cleverly worded one-liners. |
* [[Stewart Francis]] uses a deadpan style in his stand up routine consisting entirely of cleverly worded one-liners. |
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| ⚫ | * [[Miss Kittin]] is known for her deadpan lyrics and vocals in songs such as "[[Frank Sinatra (Miss Kittin & The Hacker song)|Frank Sinatra]]"<ref name="villagevoicemusic">{{cite web| last=Werde| first= Bill |url =http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-01-29/music/music/| title = Music - Page 1 - Music - New York - Village Voice | work = [[The Village Voice]] | publisher = | date = 2002-01-29 | accessdate = 2011-02-25}}</ref> |
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* [[Aryan Marfavi]], best known for his comedic work in general conversation" |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 17:39, 4 April 2011
Deadpan is a form of comic delivery in which humor is presented without a change in emotion or body language, usually speaking in a casual, monotone, solemn, blunt, disgusted or matter-of-fact voice and expressing an unflappably calm, archly insincere or artificially grave demeanor. This delivery is also called dry wit[citation needed] when the intent, but not the presentation, is humorous, oblique, sarcastic, or apparently unintentional.
Etymology
 |
The term "deadpan" first emerged as an adjective or adverb in the 1920s, as a compound word combining "dead" and "pan" (a slang term for the face). It was first recorded as a noun in Vanity Fair in 1927;[citation needed] a dead pan was thus 'a face or facial expression displaying no emotion, animation, or humour'. The verb deadpan 'to speak, act, or utter in a deadpan manner; to maintain a dead pan' rose in the early 40s. It stems from journalism rather than theatre. Today its use is especially common in humour from the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada and Australia; it is also very much appreciated in France, South Africa and Finland.[citation needed]
Many popular American sitcoms also use deadpan expressions, most notably Arrested Development and Seinfeld. Dry humour is often confused with highbrow or egghead humour. Although these forms of humour are often dry, the term dry humour actually only refers to the method of delivery, not necessarily the content.
Deadpan violence
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"Deadpan violence" involves someone threatening or reacting to violence in an unemotional, detached way that comes across as jaded and blasé. This may be done to create a comic effect, by being out of place and in an unrealistic context.
A classic example[citation needed] of deadpan violence as humour occurs in one of the variations on Monty Python's skit "Cheese Shop". After a long and civil discussion on the quantity of cheese available in the cheese shop, Mr. Mousebender tells the cheese merchant "I'm going to ask you that question ['Do you have any cheese?'] once more, and if you say 'no' I'm going to shoot you through the head. Now, do you have any cheese at all?" The merchant responds with a casual "no" and, true to his word, Mousebender shoots him.
Another example is in the 1993 film Falling Down, in which the main character William Foster (played by Michael Douglas) is insulted by a man who has been waiting to use the phone booth previously occupied by Foster. He voices his irritation at Foster's prolonged use of the booth by saying "People have been waiting to use the phone." Foster responds to this by saying, "Well, you know what?", and using a submachine gun to destroy the phone, adds, "I think it's out of order."
Usage examples
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- John Cale's mordant narration of The Velvet Underground short story "The Gift" (1968)
- Johnny Carson known for his low-key monologue with the hard-to-resist deadpan delivery that became an American tradition
- Graham Chapman as "the colonel", and in several other roles as "stiff upper lip" authority figures, on Monty Python's Flying Circus
- Stephen Colbert delivers humorous political commentary in a mock-serious deadpan manner
- Jane Curtin, best known for her work on Saturday Night Live, is commonly referred to as the "Queen of the Deadpan"[citation needed]
- David Duchovny as Hank Moody on the Showtime hit series Californication
- Eugenio, a Spanish comedian who delivered jokes in a such a manner
- Stewart Francis uses a deadpan style in his stand up routine consisting entirely of cleverly worded one-liners.
- Miss Kittin is known for her deadpan lyrics and vocals in songs such as "Frank Sinatra"[1]
- Bill Murray's characters are typically flippant and deadpan in their casual sarcasm, insincerity and devil-may-care attitude
- Leslie Nielsen was widely recognized as a master of deadpan comedy in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series
- William Shatner is known for his deadpan manner while delivering humorously bizarre or disturbing dialogue (see Boston Legal)
- Quentin Tarantino's black comedy and deadpan violence is used in Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown[2]
- Mark Twain was famous for never cracking a smile while making jokes
- Christopher Walken is known for his intense deadpan manner while delivering humorously bizarre or disturbing dialogue
- Steven Wright, stand-up comedian and actor for whom the deadpan joke delivery is a trademark
See also
References
- ^ Werde, Bill (2002-01-29). "Music - Page 1 - Music - New York - Village Voice". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?z=y&EAN=786936161564&pwb=1