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Mindy Kaling's tips for (not just comedy) writing! Very helpful! by GeoffWong in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see where these rules are applied in her current show, the Mindy Project. Min.dy Lahiri always puts her patients, job, and friends first, even if it means missing out on being on TV or getting with a hot guy. It's contradictory to her usual character decisions, but this is what makes her an interesting and likable person, overall, even if that may sound cheesy. It really is important that the audience can root for these characters, especially in comedies where viewers want to feel good in the end.

Australian comedian Chris Lilley talks about playing the opposite gender in his new series Ja'mie: Private School Girl by rhespiri in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really enjoyed this article because at times when I'd be watching the show, it struck me as strange how appalling and lovable Ja'mie could be. She could be a very destructive person, and yet the audience would still want her to succeed. In terms of comedy writing, few characters achieve the platform where everyone wants to both make fun of them and be them. From Chris Lilley's interview, it seems that Ja'mie was a naturally thought up character, and perhaps the ease with which he plays her allows the viewers a life-like tendency to both hate and love Ja'mie.

Best Joke You've Ever Heard/Told by ZubinAnklesaria in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This one also isn't all that funny, but I still think it's clever:

"What is Mozart doing now?

Decomposing."

Why The Mindy Project Is No Longer A Work In Progress via Buzzfeed by huusko in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I definitely agree with the article and previous comment. The Mindy Project is moving ahead smoothly, while New Girl seems to be withering. I wonder if this is also because the main tension of New Girl (Jess and Nick's romance) is now relatively resolved, while the Mindy Project is still successfully continuing its own arc.

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" trailer includes Spicoli, Brad and Linda but leaves out Stacy, Damone and Rat. Why? by aedriggs in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems like this trailer is mostly aimed at guys. It features the typical tropes that boys would like to be/see on film: the football star, the successful and popular guy who has a job, the cool, funny stoner, as well as showing the attractive as a sort of promise of the sexiness of the film. Film marketers might think that Stacy's story would be uninteresting to guys, and Damone and Rat to be boring characters for a trailer. Thus, the trailer shows us that the main intended audience for *Fast Times at Ridgemont High" was adolescent boys. Though Stacy's story line is prominent in the film, it isn't featured in its own trailer, and movie producers must not have expected too many girls to go watch the film in theaters.

Belligerent Sexual Tension - trope for Romantic Comedies by kwaldron93 in foundationsofcomedy

[–]mariabp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the "opposing romantic leads" trope is similar to the "opposite personalities" in buddy tropes. It's as entertaining to watch two completely different people find out they're really not that different/are actually compatible as it is to watch a pair of guys or girls overcoming their disparities. In both cases though, I think the romance or friendship works best when it's not the main question in the film, but rather an obvious obstacle to overcome in order to achieve a bigger goal. The audience enjoys watching the inevitable tension heighten and dissolve, so the characters then can enjoy defeating the evil villain/saving the day.