Response to Ryan's Blog


            Key and Peele are both iconic.  They went from making goofy videos on the internet and working for Comedy Central to having roles in major movies and shows.  Whenever I see one of them in a movie or show I am almost overcome by the urge to say “hey, that’s the guy from Key and Peele” out loud.  “Substitute Teacher” is one of the best videos that the internet has to offer.  Even people who do not know Key and Peele know “Substitute Teacher.”  All of the videos that Ryan wrote about were great.  “Loco Gangsters” in particular made me laugh out loud so much that my roommate asked me what I was doing (you can imagine his surprise when I responded with “homework”).  Some of my other favorites by Key and Peele include “Fronthand Backhand” and all of the “East/West College Bowl” videos.  Ryan is right about superiority theory explaining most of the humor that is to be found in these videos.  I also believe that incongruity can be used to explain why we laugh at Key and Peele sketches.  For example, in “East/West College Bowl” the characters all have ridiculous names that no real person would have.  One of the player’s has a middle name that is just construction noise.  Obviously, that is in no way logical or realistic.  Some of Roger Scruton’s ideas about congruence inspiring laughter from Lippitt’s article on incongruity come into play in the video “East/West Bowl 3 – Pro Edition.”  In this version of the East/West Bowl lineups, there are real NFL players mixed in with the fictional characters.  These players include Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and D’Brickashaw Ferguson.  The video also includes a reference to “Substitute Teacher” with “A-a-ron Rodgers” making an appearance.  In a way, the congruity of real players with funny names also creates humor. 

Comments

  1. Shane HerronSeptember 28, 2018 at 7:11 AM

    Oh I have never seen the follow ups to East/West bowl. I will have to check them out. I like the idea that there is a kind of congruency at work here. How does it function?

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