Make 'Em Laugh: Common Ground in Comic Characters | Matthew R. Wilson | TEDxUM

Are some things always funny? While most jokes rely on cultural context, comic performers throughout history have found common sources of amusement that transcend linguistic or national boundaries. Actor and historian Matthew R. Wilson finds the funny in character types from Greco-Roman comedy, Commedia dell'Arte, Kyōgen, and contemporary film and television.
Matthew R. Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Performance in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Mississippi and one of America’s leading experts in Commedia dell’Arte. He is a published theatre historian and playwright as well as a professional actor, director, combat choreographer, and physical comedy specialist. His credits include touring his one-man show across Europe, performing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and appearing opposite Kevin Spacey in the Emmy Award-winning House of Cards.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@corinnadiniro3815]

Well done Matthew! Great insight into what makes commedia a relevant genre in the modern world!

[@grodard9]

There is on TH-cam a video were you see a Russian clown from the Licedei troupe tied to a stick exactly like the Japanese character at 8:00 and where he succeeds to drink through diverses contorsions. A centuries old and enduring comedy bit. Extraordinary!

[@itslisshasenkam9098]

i felt for this dude omfg

[@geraldwelch3487]

And I found 5 bucks is my joke, I cannot believe it made it to Matthew, and back to me. My ex was trained by the miestro. This is literally blowing my mind.

[@LJ.v]

This is wonderful.

[@eilyeilyeily]

The crowd sucks. I feel for this guy.

[@ledieubrebis9819]

They’re so badddd

[@ethancunningham3499]

how can you put it on an audience to entertain themselves?

[@MxJulianaHeng]

This reminds me of Maharaja Lawak in Malaysia. Over-exaggeration but ended up backfired. 😂

[@Happyguy-0506]

5:33

[@amemename]

The crowd is indeed tough, lol. But to be honest, he was a little bit too didactic in his approach.. Like talking to kids.

[@fernandolobo8297]

Il Dottore, I guess?

[@isaacgonzalez4606]

King of the hill episode

[@beadsnbraidsnz]

He put his mask on in front of the audience, isn't that a huge no no??

[@stevenwan9561]

commedia performances are meant to have masks

[@beadsnbraidsnz]

Steven Wan yeah but you don’t put them on in front of the audience

[@frasercochran4159]

@@beadsnbraidsnz I agree, normally, if an actor wears a mask, they make sure they audience never sees the mask being adjusted or put on - it’s supposed to be part of them. Even with a clown, you should never see a clown adjust their nose, they should at least turn around or edit briefly.

[@hiben2627]

Real Il Dottore guy over here.

[@MrPisster]

They cut to the audience and they look like someone is sticking bamboo under their nails.

[@julienactor]

I love Commedia but this is cringeworthy to watch

[@lucas-se4zr]

covid-19 cough ???

[@MarcadamiaNut]

He just proves he can't be funny in his own culture

[@neileardley1907]

Is he Miming ?

[@mikedonovan8811]

I don't care if people don't get jokes from different times, places, or cultures, but don't lick it.

[@tommasosetaro]

intersting but man..that's not a Zanni

[@macmitchell8251]

Yeah, it is actually a Zanni.

[@emilyoscarsiggs]

I think it was closer to Arlecchino, but I'm not an expert

[@txmb4585]

This isn't even funny