Humor

Introduction

For our humor unit, we were allowed to experiment with a variety of comedic improvisation exercises, study various professional pieces of visual, written, and spoken humor, learn comedic terms and techniques, and script and deliver an original performance. Due to the current situation & COVID-19, we were forced to complete and record our projects from home. I valued this project because it made me step out of my comfort zone. I have never considered myself funny or someone who enjoys comedy so I was definitely nervous for this project. I don’t love my final product but I did try. I’m happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone, did it and now get to move on to more projects and what I feel comfortable with.

Humor Proposal

For our humor proposal, we were asked to write an analysis of 2 comedians that inspire us and to pitch the idea for our humor video. I choose to talk about Kate McKinnon & Pete Davidson because of my love for their positions and work in Saturday Night Live, which is the most comedy that I watch. For my proposal, I decided to do a narrative, SNL-like skit highlighting some of the ridiculous responses to COVID-19 outbreak from the government. The following is the PDF to my analysis and proposal.

Script

The following is the brief script that I wrote in order to outline the skit.

I want this to be somewhat improvised, so this isn’t exactly what it will look like but this is a general outline of what I want it to be.

Mom: Hey Jordan & Lauren. Can you come sit down, I need to talk to you about something.

Jordan: Are you and dad getting divorced?

Lauren: Did someone die?

Jordan: (overlapping) Everytime you guys sit us down something bad happened.

Mom: No, neither, I-i mean yeah, someone died but-.

Lauren: I knew it! (to Jordan) 5 bucks please.

Jordan hands Lauren a five dollar bill.

Mom: Girls! Listen this is not the point. There is a deadly virus spreading and they are labeling it a global pandemic.

Jordan: Ohhh yeah, the beer one right? What’s it called again?

Lauren: Um I think it’s Modelo.

Mom: It’s the coronavirus.

Jordan & Lauren: Ohh yeah, corona. That’s what it is.

Mom: It has nothing to do with beer anyways this is serious. I want you guys to know that this will pass, we will be okay. We just need to stay inside for a little.

Jordan: Ya we’ll be fine right. Like America, the best country in the world, our government’s got it under control.

(My mom will improvise his response to this because he knows a lot of what Trump has done) 

Lauren: I mean it’s okay if the President doesn’t care like don’t we have a team that specializes in this stuff.

Mom: Um. We did..

Jordan: What do you mean we did?

Mom: Trump fired them. 

Lauren: And why would he do that?

(My mom will improvise)

Jordan: God, this doesn’t sound too good. Like I thought we had this all under control, haven’t we known about for months.

Mom: Yes we have. Unfortunately, Trump called it a hoax for awhile and then called it not a big deal and now he’s saying it’s not his fault.

Lauren: So, who’s fault is it?

Mom: Um… in Trump’s words it’s Chy-na. But it’s his fault, totally his. 

Jordan: Well, um, this is kinda scary and I feel bad for the people dying but like what about the economy? Like Trump says his economy is the best in the world so like, it’s ok right?

(My mom will improvise his response to this because he knows a lot of what Trump has done) 

Lauren: God. Well if people listen to the stay at home order and stuff, this will be all over soon right? Like the economy will be able to recover.

Mom: Well. There are people who are protesting. 

Jordan: Protesting what?

Mom: Um… the virus?

Lauren: How can you protest saving peoples lives. 

Mom: I guess by dressing up in Confederate flag clothing and showing off your AR-15.

Jordan: Weird.

Mom: Well it’s okay, we are going to be okay regardless of those people. Um… there is a lot to do.

Lauren: Like what?

Mom: Um..hm… We can spend hours watching a homosexual with a mullet who owns a private tiger zoo in Oklahoma.

Jordan: What is happening.

Humor Video

REQUIRED: Humor Project Video. By Thursday, April 30, submit your video to Mr. Greco’s dropbox folder labeled “Humor Project Files (follow file naming conventions!)” with title of 19-20-p9-Humor-UsernamE.mp4 1920×1080, .mp4 with good audio quality so we can hear the comedy. Assuming you are NOT using copyrighted music and it’s NOT blocked, these will be posted on this YouTube playlist and it’s optional for you to post the video on your website.