Comedy comes in threes: developing a conceptual framework for the comic triple humour technique

Abstract

There is an opportunity in humour studies to expand its fundamental theories and develop joke structure analysis tools for humour techniques such as the Comic Triple. Despite its use in the comedic arts, there is a lack of research regarding the Comic Triple tactic wherein three components of a joke appear in a sequence. The first component establishes a joke’s setup, the second reinforces the setup, and the third contradicts this pattern with a surprise. Using the Incongruity Theory of humour as a theoretical basis, the author proposes a conceptual framework for explaining and analysing the Comic Triple with applications to visual humour and comedic outlets other than stand-up comedy, where research has already been conducted. This conceptual framework graphically presents a theoretical construct of the Comic Triple displayed as a linear process. In the final portion of the article, the Comic Triple Conceptual Framework is applied to The Three Stooges’ short film Punch Drunks as an example analysis, illustrating a well-defined humour tactic within an academic context.

Keywords:

• Joke structure
• comic triple
• rule of three
• incongruity theory
• the Three Stooges

Disclosure statement

There is no financial interest or benefit related to this research.

ORCID

Matthew McKeague https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9942-3123

Data availability statement

There is no data set associated with this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This article was not funded by any agency.

Notes on contributors

Matthew McKeague

Matthew McKeague teaches media and communication courses as an Assistant Professor at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. In the past, he has worked as a film and video game reviewer, partnered YouTube content creator, production assistant, comedy writer, and video editor in Los Angeles. His research interests include comedic media, humour studies, and user generated content.