I'd be interested to hear other views on this, but mine is that comedy on a background of tragedy can be extremely effective. Other examples would include M*A*S*H* (the Korean War), Porridge (incarceration of the prisoners and perhaps also the prison staff), Fawlty Towers (psychological breakdown) and perhaps Some Girls (the struggles of inner-city living). Larry Gelbart once said something along the lines of, "If M*A*S*H* had been set in a Midwestern hospital, it would have been just as funny, but no one would remember it."
Comedy doesn't need a tragic background, of course, but when it has one it can be very powerful.
I need to check these examples because with the exception of Fawlty Towers I’m not familiar with them but sound very intriguing. If someone has found a way to create a comedy out of the Korean war it must be worth watching it! I agree that the juxtaposition of bleak background and comedy can produce memorable results. Kneecap about a hiphop band from Belfast that sings in Irish and while there
Sent it too fast - Anyway, in a similar vein to Derry Girls, Kneecap is out in the UK now and it’s another example of comedy to approach a serious matter - the status of Irish language
I wasn't aware of Kneecap, but will look out for it. M*A*S*H* was incredible. The emotional range went all the way from hilarious to heartbreaking, sometimes in the same episode.
Interesting! Comedy can be a great tool when things are happening sometimes, if there is a dictator for example, nothing hurts them more than a bit of satire, mocking them. Like Hitler with The Great Dictator. Or more recently, I’m pretty sure Trump (I get that he’s not a dictator…🫣) wasn’t a fan of the SNL skits 😄
But yes, setting a comedy during a time of hardship is a great way for people to learn about it from a human POV, and adds a pathos to the whole thing.
Well, this was interesting - you've intrigued me about both Patria *and* Bomb Scared. I have a certain weakness for v. serious subjects analysed through comedy (if done well, obviously), I think because the "logic" of extremity is closely allied to the logic of farce. I wonder if Bomb Scared would have been (has been?) more successful outside Spain - just a bit too close to the bone at home?
Nothing on The Troubles in the UK citizenship material? You don't say!
Glad to hear. Patria is definitely a superb novel, very well written and very nuanced, something that it seemed impossible considering its subject. You might not be wrong about Bomb Scared and maybe someone watching from a different country can appreciate it better. If I'm completely honest the script didn't help and as a comedy it is a bit weak regardless of everything else. And yes, the Life in the UK booklet was a bit of a joke - however, it did make sure to highlight on page 1 that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and that William of Orange won the Battle of the Boyne 😆
Definitely, The Great Dictator is a great example and now thzt you've mentioned it I'm thinking about Look who's back, which is explores how Hitler would be received in today's Germany and it's quite fun.
I'd be interested to hear other views on this, but mine is that comedy on a background of tragedy can be extremely effective. Other examples would include M*A*S*H* (the Korean War), Porridge (incarceration of the prisoners and perhaps also the prison staff), Fawlty Towers (psychological breakdown) and perhaps Some Girls (the struggles of inner-city living). Larry Gelbart once said something along the lines of, "If M*A*S*H* had been set in a Midwestern hospital, it would have been just as funny, but no one would remember it."
Comedy doesn't need a tragic background, of course, but when it has one it can be very powerful.
I need to check these examples because with the exception of Fawlty Towers I’m not familiar with them but sound very intriguing. If someone has found a way to create a comedy out of the Korean war it must be worth watching it! I agree that the juxtaposition of bleak background and comedy can produce memorable results. Kneecap about a hiphop band from Belfast that sings in Irish and while there
Sent it too fast - Anyway, in a similar vein to Derry Girls, Kneecap is out in the UK now and it’s another example of comedy to approach a serious matter - the status of Irish language
I wasn't aware of Kneecap, but will look out for it. M*A*S*H* was incredible. The emotional range went all the way from hilarious to heartbreaking, sometimes in the same episode.
Interesting! Comedy can be a great tool when things are happening sometimes, if there is a dictator for example, nothing hurts them more than a bit of satire, mocking them. Like Hitler with The Great Dictator. Or more recently, I’m pretty sure Trump (I get that he’s not a dictator…🫣) wasn’t a fan of the SNL skits 😄
But yes, setting a comedy during a time of hardship is a great way for people to learn about it from a human POV, and adds a pathos to the whole thing.
Well, this was interesting - you've intrigued me about both Patria *and* Bomb Scared. I have a certain weakness for v. serious subjects analysed through comedy (if done well, obviously), I think because the "logic" of extremity is closely allied to the logic of farce. I wonder if Bomb Scared would have been (has been?) more successful outside Spain - just a bit too close to the bone at home?
Nothing on The Troubles in the UK citizenship material? You don't say!
Glad to hear. Patria is definitely a superb novel, very well written and very nuanced, something that it seemed impossible considering its subject. You might not be wrong about Bomb Scared and maybe someone watching from a different country can appreciate it better. If I'm completely honest the script didn't help and as a comedy it is a bit weak regardless of everything else. And yes, the Life in the UK booklet was a bit of a joke - however, it did make sure to highlight on page 1 that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and that William of Orange won the Battle of the Boyne 😆
I loved Derry Girls x
It is a great show, pity it's over now
Definitely, The Great Dictator is a great example and now thzt you've mentioned it I'm thinking about Look who's back, which is explores how Hitler would be received in today's Germany and it's quite fun.