Comedy & Horror Part 2

I saw The Conjuring 2 again. Long story. There was a girl involved. It was still great by the way.

The second viewing inspired two new perspectives on the connection between stand up comedy and horror films.

1. Both have "the turn" for effect.

In comedy the joke has to have a turn to be funny.

Example: I just flew in from the South. Boy are my arms tired.

You've all heard that one. It's not a great joke, but there's a "turn" stemming from the setup. The flying in from the south makes you think about plane trips. Then the jokester says he did it with his arms like a bird. Hence, the turn.

Horroe or does this all the time with animals, shadows, music cue. The camera or plot goes one way and then makes a turn to scare you.

We love a good turn.

​2. Heckling

Interstingly, heckling happens in both stand up and horror films.

In stand up an audience member will talk, interrupt, or trash talk the comedian. Sometime the audience member gets made fun of, told to be quiet, or asked to leave. Many times it can create a great opportunity for the comedian. And it can be really annoying.

But horror films have hecklers too. Please screaming, "Noooooo!" or awkward laughing or screaming or "Oh my god!" The Conjuring 2 offers plenty of those moments. and just like in comedy, this can be annoying as well.

I suppose my obsession with this theme of connecting the two is because they are both taboo as well. If comedy is seen as dirty and horror as evil, they both have their fans and detractors. Not the same for other film genres. Most people will see a drama, comedy, or sports film in a theater. But there are some who would see a horror film. Comedy is similar in that many would never go to s club, but would watch Jim Gaffigan on YouTube.

The main argument is that clubs have dirty comics. Well, they also have clean ones.

I suppose my real obsession in this topic is because they are both outcast art forms. And that I appreciate.