Wednesday, April 11, 2012

J = Juxtaposition A to Z Challenge


Writing comedy can be difficult, especially when much of what we find funny is based on life experience. Comparison & Juxtaposition make one of the strongest elements of comedy and helps bridge the gap between experience & giggles.

Everyone understands that the team of a large fat man & a small thin man is funny: Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble, the cartoon version of Classic Laurel & Hardy. Other funny combinations are: Large Bride & Thin Groom, Tall Thin Woman& Short Stout Man, Large Dog & Small Kitten, Large Cat & Little Mouse or Large Child & Small Parent.

Extend the juxtaposition to attitudes or character traits to win an audience & create uproarious laughter reminiscent of The Odd Couple: neat-freak & slob roommates. Today’s odd couple may be brothers: one with OCD, the other a Stoner. The combinations are endless; the comedy potential unlimited.

What juxtaposed couple comes to mind as a true life, yet funny pair?

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigel in Knocked Up is the first one that comes to mind.

nutschell said...

a great example of juxtaposition!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Dropping by from the A-Z!

anthony stemke said...

Bill Cosby in "I Spy".

Joanne said...

I had this word listed to use for J and changed my mind. Glad you used it well. I pick Will and Grace from TV.

Leigh Covington said...

Fun! And of course I'm drawing a blank on what couple to share. Ugh. I hate when that happens. Like what others have shared though. :)

loverofwords said...

Mary Matalin and James Carville?

Unknown said...

Well done. Nice to meet you Kate.

Kate OMara said...

Thank you Joshua, Nutschell, Anthony, Joanne, Leigh, Lover and CM I'm visiting back now :)