Responding to 4 Bad Cups
You guys - this is it.
This is my final response post. How have we already reached this point?!? For this week's very special final post, I will be responding to Grace's lead blog post. Grace blogged about a video clip entitled 4 Bad Cups and I'm going to be completely honest with you guys - I have no idea what to say here. Watch the video down below and you'll see what I mean.
This is my final response post. How have we already reached this point?!? For this week's very special final post, I will be responding to Grace's lead blog post. Grace blogged about a video clip entitled 4 Bad Cups and I'm going to be completely honest with you guys - I have no idea what to say here. Watch the video down below and you'll see what I mean.
Where do I even begin?
Well, in her post, Grace talks a lot about the different theories of comedy that could be applied to this video. I think I interpret things a little differently than she does, so let's break it down.
Relief Theory
Grace seems to believe that relief theory is the best fit for this weird (is their really any other term to describe it?) video. I disagree. Personally, even with all of Grace's explanation, I can't seem to comprehend how relief theory could work here.
Superiority Theory
Grace also briefly mentions superiority theory. While I'm not convinced it's the best theory in this situation, I can definitely understand how this one can work. After all, I know that I watched the video thinking, "Who could be so stupid?" Didn't you?
Benign-Violation Theory
This one is not something that Grace mentions in her lead blog post, but I think that it fits 4 Bad Cups really well! Part of Grace's argument for relief theory in her blog post is that,
"Relief plays into this element of the video because it provides the opportunity to laugh at something totally gross. Often times gross things will happen, but it would be rude to laugh. This video makes that possible."
I don't really agree with Grace's thinking here. This doesn't seem like relief theory to me, but it did get me thinking. Doesn't that sound a lot like benign-violation theory? Something is gross - it's violating - but you are watching it through a video which means it can do you no harm - it's benign. Boom! The perfect theory for this situation, right??
Let me know in the comments - What theory do you think best applies to this video?
And for the last time, :(
Always Laugh Lots!!!
- Anna Kathleen Spitler <3
Some people mentioned that they felt like it was skirting the boundaries of something that might not be benign--such as if the person actually had a mental illness. Do you think that's compatible with your interpretation?
ReplyDeleteI agree that benign violation theory works the best for this video. As you pointed out, its gross which means it can be a violation but its harmless because its a video!
ReplyDelete