![\"David](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/dm-featured-1WEB.jpg\")
<\/a>For three hours, Misch\u2019s lecture explored the art form from every angle, delving into such topics as comedy cues, the rule of three, the relationship between comedy and logic, and how the mechanics of jokes provide a template for all humor.<\/p>\n
Misch has previously taught the fundamentals of humor at USC, UCLA, Oxford University, AFI and Columbia University.<\/p>\n
Quoting liberally from philosophers and scientists from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud, Misch put comedy in historical perspective. He showed film clips from many of comedy\u2019s cinematic superstars \u2014 Steve Martin, the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin \u2014 to illustrate his points.<\/p>\n
Comic sequences from such classic movies as \u201cSome Like It Hot,\u201d \u201cLife of Brian,\u201d \u201cDr. Strangelove,\u201d \u201cBlazing Saddles\u201d and what Misch characterizes as the most funny comedy routine of all time, \u201cWho\u2019s on First?\u201d done by Abbott & Costello, were shown to punctuate Misch\u2019s points.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving principles of humor in our heads helps us figure out why something isn\u2019t working, so you can make it work better,\u201d Misch said. \u201c[The] comic genre, whether it\u2019s in movies, sitcoms\u00a0or sketches is simple, structured.\u201d<\/p>\n
Concerning how he developed his academically rigorous understanding of comedy, Misch said \u201cthey study the principles of music, dance, art and history \u2014 why not comedy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes explaining a joke kill it?\u201d Misch asked before answering, \u201cWith jokes, there\u2019s a lot more going on than what\u2019s on the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted comedy needs \u201cpunctuation,\u201d comparing the punch line to the period or exclamation point at the end of a sentence that says \u201cthis is the cue for the moment for the audience to process the funny and generate a laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acknowledging that not all good comedy comes from fine-tuned theory, Misch said some comedians are funny just by virtue of the persona they\u2019ve created for themselves, citing Jack Benny as a prime example.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften the things Jack Benny said weren\u2019t funny, but it was funny because \u00e9l<\/i> said them,\u201d Misch said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJack Benny lost a bill and he went to the police to report it,\u201d Misch said, giving an example. \u201cThey asked him to describe it and he recited the serial number.\u201d<\/p>\n
The evening ended with Misch offering several more near philosophical observations on the art of gut busting.<\/p>\n
Noting comedy and drama are opposite sides of the same coin, Misch said \u201ccomedy and drama are less opposite than complementary. Life is a tragedy when seen, close up, but is comedic in a long shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Misch said the basis of all comedy is \u201cplaying with pattern recognition\u201d via toying with humans\u2019 \u201crelentless, ceaseless search for meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussing the mechanics of humor, Misch said the art form is all about introducing or establishing a pattern, making a mental connection with the audience, and then breaking that pattern in a surprising or funny way.<\/p>\n
\u201cComedy explores the need for order and meaning to trick us into laughter,\u201d Misch said. \u201cThe joke sets up an unresolved situation, brings in a pattern, misdirects us, then surprises and jolts us into laughter at the end as the situation resolves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLife is a setup and death is the punch line, but the joke is on us,\u201d Misch concluded. \u201cComics invite doom by mocking death and being outrageously alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about the veteran comedian, visit davidmisch.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n