Friday, May 9, 2014

Lesson 199--English for watching sitcoms


 
Some of you might find time to watch a little television over the weekend.  If you are watching a comedy, maybe you can use some of this vocabulary

running joke/gag:  A joke, or situation that is done many times on a TV series.  On Big Bang Theory, Sheldon knocking on the door three times (and sometimes not being allowed to) is an example of a running joke/gag.

premise:  This is the main idea of a show.  In Big Bang Theory, the premise is two nerdy guys living across the hall from a beautiful woman.  Through their interaction, they all learn something.

sight gag:  A joke that is only visual.

laugh track:  This is pre-recorded laughter.  It is used to make things seem funnier.

Physical comedy:  Much like a visual joke, this type of comedy is very visual.  It usually involves someone falling or bumping into something.

Back-story:  The history of the characters and their interactions.  You may have seen it, or they may have just talked about it.

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