Twins.
I dunno why, but when you put any set of twins in a situation, be it grave, strange or impossible, they take it and twist it and add just a hint of that twin magic to turn it into hilarity. It's really one of the least known topics in comedy: why do two people who look alike (note: fraternal twins are NOT funny) cause so much ruckus, yet remain still lovable? What is it about nearly identical DNA that incites laughter when placed on screen or stage or in a book?
My theory is this: people can't follow both. They get confused, and think that twin one (A) and twin two (B) are the opposite. E.g. A runs around the back of the house, and B runs upstairs. When the audience pays attention again, they see that the two of them have magically switched places. That's comical to people because they don't understand: a 15 year old kid can't jump up to a second story ledge! That's just ridiculous, and they laugh.
The other thing is: triplets are also funny. Always. Sometimes twins can be just slightly funny, but triplets are always roll on the floor kind of laughter. There is no known explanation for this. Quadruplets and up are not funny. They are in fact, the antithesis of comedy. They are what make up inspirational stories and lame TV specials. Some mom has octoplets, more at 11. NO ONE CARES. Triplets go on murderous rampage: now that's comic gold. Comic platinum even.
More things that are always funny later.
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1 comment:
Well Shakespeare mined the proverbial "comic gold" of twins and the never tiresome switched at birth or separated at birth storyline. Notice this theme in a lot of his comedies. Ahhh Shakespeare, THE father of modern day soap opera plots.
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