What's So Funny?

Is a food-poisoning-induced storm of vomit and diarrhea while wearing designer clothing or even a wedding dress considered funny? Well to most folks who have already viewed “Bridesmaids”, the answer is yes. So the question is, why do disgusting movie moments sometimes make many of us snicker till we sob?


Researchers claim humour is elicited by the perception of something that seems to be unsettling, threatening, wrong, scary or anger-inducing. Technically that makes my life freaking hilarious. The theory is called “benign violation theory”. Developed by Dr. Peter McGraw of the University of Colorado, benign violation theory states in order for something to be considered funny three conditions must be met. There must be a violation of a norm (someone slips in the shower); the violation must be perceived as benign (The person is unhurt in the fall); and the two must occur simultaneously. Hell the three stooges made a living out of this. This is the actual premise behind America’s Funniest Home Videos. Your kid accidentally hits you in the groin and you’re doubled over in pain while clutching your junk and the rest of us are doubled over in laughter. No harm. No foul.


McGraw says that the benign aspect is fueled by the fact that the situation has psychological distance from the viewer. It is happening to someone else or happened a long time ago. You know the old saying, tragedy plus time equals comedy. According to McGraw, young men are the most difficult to offend. Go figure. Movies such as Borat, The Hangover, and There’s Something About Mary or pretty much any movie written and produced by the Farelly brothers are perfect examples of this premise. Many of the things most people would agree are violations, (bodily secretions of any type) young men seem to view as benign.
Only when the violation becomes too predictable or ``beyond the beyond`` does it become not so funny.

And just how did Dr. McGraw draw his conclusions? Thirty-six study participants were asked to read a description of a violation. The folks who found it amusing did so because to them it seemed benign. Others were appalled. The descriptive scene you ask? A man rubs his genitals against a kitten -- which "purrs and seems to enjoy the contact." Stroke of genius (no pun intended) or did Dr. McGraw simply suffer a stroke? Personally, I do not believe Dr. McGraw to be an abnormal psychologist but merely abnormal like Japanese underachievers or celibate celebrities, that kind of abnormal. Here kitty, kitty.