The Dark Side of Comedy

-Art by Gunwallace

There was once an intervention for work-appropriate humour at one of my former jobs where we were asked the question: "A joke told in the workplace can be off-colour or sexually offensive as long as I know that I am only kidding." The moderator had the room divide into four quadrants (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree). The point was to answer honestly and I stood in the Agree section even though two-thirds of my (unfunny) coworkers stood in the Disagree section. While we were standing around waiting for the next question, someone in my section asked, "Should we all share our best inappropriate jokes?" I looked at the people standing in the Strongly Agree and Agree section, remembered their faces and knew those were the people I wanted to hang out with to have a fun year. I was correct because the people in the Strongly Agree corner ended up being my favourite coworkers.

Anyone who has spent time watching comedians knows that not all comedy is cheerful and carefree. Many of my favourite acts are when the jokes tap into the inappropriate and obscene. But does the prevalence of dark humour in movies or stand-up build a resistance to feelings of empathy when another person is going through a difficult time?

I was listening to a podcast once where a comedian mentioned that his style of comedy was exceptionally dark and it leaked into his daily life where he had to maintain a rather disturbed lifestyle in order to channel inspiration for his jokes. I am not talking disturbing like he killed small animals (at least not any that I know) but he went down his list of movies he fell asleep to and they were all titles that were on the macabre side. I watched his stand-up and I thought it was pretty funny, but it helped me come to the realization that some comedians are unable to create a character for the stage and then hang it up once they get home. In this example, the separation of home and work life was a difficult one to differentiate between.

I believe that the main reason I enjoy dark humour so much is because it is real. The source of inspiration is mostly from personal experience and there is a raw honesty to hear someone say exactly what two-thirds of the population might be thinking, but refuse to acknowledge because they are trying to save face.

In closing, dark humour is hilarious, but from a professional perspective, the next time you have a ridiculously inappropriate joke that sounds like a twelve-year-old boy wrote it, wait until after work hours to tell it in good company or be prepared to face the HR.


CONTESTS!!

GRUESON CONTEST
Select a Cover for Grueson

On July 1st, 2014 the comic 'Grueson' started online. Every week a page was published for free. Soon there will be enough material for a (large) book.
We would like your opinion about the cover. Which book would you pick up to scroll through it's pages ? Beneath you find 3 concepts (A, B and C) and a fourth possibility D: none of the three concepts.

Each person has one vote. You have got time till May 15th, 2015 to let us know your choice.

For the contest you have to mail your answer at info@yan-gevuld.be

From all participants we will draw 5 who will receive a book free at home. The winners will be announced at the end of May, at the same time as the winning concept.

Many thanks,
The YG-Promotions team.

Cover A


Cover B


Cover C


More info can be found in the forum: http://theduckwebcomics.com/forum/topic/176856/


2015 DRUNK DUCK AWARDS
For Your Consideration Plot Contest

Niccea says:

Whelp. I did not have plot for the For Your Consideration pages planed out going in. So I'm going to be lazy and have a contest.

As a reminder, the first plot was “Wowio will shut down the awards unless money is raised” and the second was “Niccea, the MC has gone missing and must be found for the show to go on.”

Rules:

Send Niccea your plot

http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Niccea/

Plot should be easy to be inclusive for all participants

Deadline April 30th

Voting will be held shortly afterward.

Also, please join in on the discussion for the awards.


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What's Quacking?
Do you have any original art to contribute to our stock image database, announcements, community projects, ideas, news, or milestones to report? Please leave general comments below or send a PQ to kawaiidaigakusei. Email me at kawaiidaigakusei(at)gmail(dot)com.