Photo from flickr by CHARLES VAN DEN BROEK
There is just something about the number three. This week we watched the rule of threes play out in it’s saddest variation with the death of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. While there is nothing at all funny about that when things happen in threes in comedy it’s usually a good thing. For some reason three is the perfect number for laughs.
This week we look at the rule of threes and a bunch of other comedy rules and why they exist. Is more of a good thing always good in comedy? Are things always funnier when you repeat them? Are things always funnier when you repeat them? Are things always funnier when you repeat them? Are things always funnier when you repeat them? Are things always funnier when you repeat them? How long before it gets annoying?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
2,4,?
What comes next?
6? – Yes, if we’re adding by 2s.
8? – Yes, if we’re multiplying by 2s.
16? – Yes, if we’re taking the square of each number.
Fart? – Yes. Always fart.
My point is just that three is the minimum number you need to establish a pattern, but you can suggest or imply a pattern with two. So with the first two things you can create a certain expectation in the listener’s brain (because the brain is a pattern-making machine), and then subvert that expectation by providing something that ALSO fits, but doesn’t fit in the way the listener expects. Three is significant because it’s the number that sets the pattern in stone. The hard part is finding sets of two that can have multiple 3s that could fit.
I like this self-portrait of The Comedy Nerds. I’m the green one on the left.
Also, going on what Mike said, two is fine as long as there is a third something, but two is not enough. Ever. What do you think of that? EVER!