SLAPSTICK

There can be no doubts that the advent of TV and video has seen huge amounts of comedy produced and several new genres have emerged that were simply not possible to perform before technology provided the medium.

Slapstick is possibly the earliest form of video reliant comedy of all. It involves strongly exaggerated physical activities, often violent such as a custard pie being thrown by one person into the face of another. It is designed to merely symbolise the violence involved, as it is presumed that the watcher will be well aware that the content obviously crosses normal boundaries, and as such falls firmly into the realm of fiction. Although often violent, slapstick is designed to bring forth non-cruel laughter as the almost cartoon aspect of the performance is designed to clearly indicate that this is play only. Indeed the most common medium for the delivery of slapstick in modern times is the cartoon.

Interestingly enough, slapstick comedy although looking very simple is actually deemed to be one of the hardest forms of quality to perform. If performed live it depends very heavily upon the performer's ability to deliver with perfect execution and timing. Reactions between performers must be perfect to ensure the suspension of disbelief in their audience. Nothing can be more un-funny than badly performed slapstick.

Surely the king of slapstick must be Charlie Chaplin, who singlehandedly pioneered the genre on early black and white silent movies.