One truism about comedy that I have always held is that “offensiveness” is a necessary component to all comedy. Whether it is talking about a grandmother falling down the stairs, or a bird pooping on someone’s head or a full out roast on TV – offensiveness is just a requirement to break thru ice and get to the funny bone. The great challenge her, of course, is to so KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE so that the “offense” doesn’t kill the moment. One pinch too much offense and suddenly we’ve gone from funny to uncomfortable. THIS, I believe, is the most difficult challege of comedy.
Just today I was invited to be an audience to a student written scene that parodied the theatre faculty in all thier quirks and wierdnesses. Fat teachers got pillows in their belly. All made fun of what we chose to wear each day. And all the gossip and all the rumors about the teacher – both true and truly false were brought to the light. I loved it. Other teachers did not love it so much. For me the play “shook the tree” but did not break any of the branches. Sometimes it is a bit humbling/embarrasing to look into the mirror that the students hold in front of us – – but then again imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Of course, I am hoping that was to be flattering . . .