I found this video pretty funny. I think the fact that the actor had an accent definitely increased the humor of the clip, as you mentioned. I definitely agree that incongruity theory can primarily be used to explain the comedy behind this video. I also think that the use of the camera angles, facial expressions, and the way that Limmy talks to the audience as if he is with them in person really adds to the effect of the clip.
Incongruity theory can be used to describe the humor behind this video from many different angles. First of all, it is a bit unexpected how he takes such a common topic and applies it to this video as if it is super secretive, and nobody knows about this huge secret. Furthermore, it is unexpected to see how the cast reacts after the filmer says "cut," when they all run up and want a taste of the water for themselves.
Incongruity theory can also be used to describe the humor behind the video through a violation of our normal mental patterns. Usually, people do not think of this argument as so obvious; it is simply a matter of personal preference. Having to take in this argument as something so obvious, so secretive, and the exaggeration behind it which implies that you are stupid if you do not know this obvious fact, makes it seem as if drinking out of a water bottle is stupid, and it is so obvious that you should not do it since there is a much better solution, at least according to Limmy. However, so many people drink water bottles daily. AND they pay money for them! This makes the argument a bit of a violation of our mental patterns since it is not as obvious as Limmy would make it seem, so it causes the audience to rethink whether buying water bottles is stupid or not.
Is there a comedy response to this? As you say, the argument seems obvious, but it's not as obvious as it seems if we think about it. How would you refute this argument? How would you refute this argument with comedy?
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how you discussed our "mental patterns" and their relation to comedy. I hadn't really thought of it that way, so this gives me some new insight. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this topic of getting water from the faucet seems so obvious but instead we go to the store and buy bottled water which seems so stupid. As you said this unexpectedness is what makes the video funny!
ReplyDelete