The Unexpected Outcome - Typical Joke n° 1

     One defining feature of sitcoms is that the same joke templates are used over and over again. These jokes don't really come up in different types of entertainment, like movies or books... However, in "boulevard" theater you will find the same jokes. I explain this like this :

"Boulevard" Theater and Sitcoms have basic plot-lines that are usually the same. Therefore, Sitcoms and "Boulevard" Theater share the same jokes.

     The first joke I'll write about happens a lot. I called it the "Unexpected Outcome". It is a basic joke that I'll summarize like this : We expect something and something else happens. Now, examples : 

     

     One character faces a dilemma and describes the two different factors. The descriptions lead us to identify each factor, but the character then turns it around and thus, we laugh.

Example from That 70's Show S04 E13 - Jackie Says Cheese

     Jackie's father has just found out that she is dating Kelso and he gives her an ultimatum : either she leaves Kelso or he doesn't give her anymore money.

JACKIE to Kelso : Now I have to decide between you and money.

[...]

JACKIE : How do I choose between something that makes my life complete ... and you.

Ok so, see how that works? Jackie presents the problem in a certain order : "YOU" Vs "MONEY".

When she describes the problem, we are still in the order she has set. Therefore, we believe that "something that makes my whole life complete" is Kelso. 

The "Unexpected Outcome" builds an illusion of linearity and then brakes it with a cross reality.

The Illusion : A Vs B

The Reality : B Vs A

There you go ! The first, of many, analyzed joke on the Sitcom Blog !

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Thank you,

TRJ