Even Focus on the Family has clued into this wonderful concept.
Causing people pain for the sake of laughter has been around since the dawn of humor itself (when Adam said *”WOW! A man would leave his Mom and Dad for that!” when he first saw Eve. See Genesis 2:24). If your sense of humor is remotely close to my own, you would smile merrily each time Costello gets slapped. I could go on for 10 solid hours pointing out key examples of slapstick’s usage in viral media. And I’m sure you would know each and every example.
Use slapstick, but as with all viral concepts, use it wisely. Yes even slapstick humor can be cheapened. A gorgeous example: Jackass, unless of course you are purposefully trying to reach the 11 year old narcissist demographic.
How to use slapstick:
1. Make it unexpected, as with every viral video concept, but with slapstick this is especially key.
2. Make it over-the-top. Barely believable. As in absurdity, NOT violence. Happy Tree Friends, which is closer to the horror genre rather than comedy, is a good example of too much violence. After the horror and disgust, the audience moves on, vowing never to return. Like going to Taco Time.
3. The consequences of the slap is the funniest part. Of course the most common reaction would be to feel hurt, but try flustered, embarrassed, or even happy. The audience wants to see a reaction. Give them one! Nothing is a bigger letdown than a well-delivered slap with a mediocre response.
4. Don’t use kids. Just don’t. It’s not funny when kids get hurt.
5. Optional: It helps to show the audience that the subject is okay (unhurt) after the infliction. Usually parents appreciate this when a child may be watching your film.
Fun fact: From my college days I recall “a slapstick” as literally being an “acoustic device consisting of two paddles hinged together; used by an actor to make a loud noise without inflicting injury when striking someone.” Basically it was stick that made noise when you hit someone on stage. And the audience laughed.
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