Satire (= making people or institutions appear silly to show how stupid or bad they are) is an important element of popular British political comedy programmes. These were both used a lot in the popular series of Carry On films that began in the 1960s. Popular humour may sometimes rely on double entendre (= using a phrase that can be understood in two ways, one of which is usually sexual) or on innuendo (= making an indirect suggestion of something rude). use irony, even when discussing serious subjects such as death. British comedy often makes use of irony, humour which depends on suggesting the opposite of what is actually expressed. Slapstick comedy, which is based on people falling over, crashing into each other, etc. David Brent's character in The Office is funny for the same reason. But in the British comedy Fawlty Towers Basil Fawlty's funny characteristics are exaggerated versions of those found in the type of person he represents. In the American series Parks and Recreation, for instance, the humour comes from characters behaving in stupid ways. American stage humour is more direct than British comedy. In many sitcoms gentle fun is made of ordinary life without the risk of causing anyone serious offence. Sitcoms (= shows in which the humour comes from situations that the characters get into) often have a laugh track (= a recording of people laughing) so that the audience at home will know when things people say and do are meant to be funny. For example, American TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory are as popular in Britain as some of its own TV comedy shows. British and American humour on stage have some important differences, although the fact that some comedy television shows are popular in both countries shows that there is common ground. A person's sense of humour is influenced by many things, including family and social background and age. Other people are said to be witty (= show a very clever type of humour). Some people have a dry sense of humour, and can keep a straight face (= not smile) and make their voice sound as though they are being serious when they are joking. When people are trying to meet other people, for example on an internet dating site, they often ask for possible partners to have a GSOH (good sense of humour). It is considered a serious criticism of somebody to say that they have no sense of humour. Everyone needs to be able to laugh at themselves sometimes, and to recognize that the situation they are in may look funny to others. Culture humour humour A sense of humour ( NAmE humor), an ability to see the funny side of life, is considered essential by most British and American people.
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