Blackout gag
Encyclopedia
A blackout gag is a term mainly used in broad, rapid-fire, slapstick
comedy to describe a manner in which a gag or joke is executed. The term is derived from burlesque
and vaudeville
, when the lights were quickly turned off after the punchline of a joke to accentuate it and/or allow for audience laughter. It may use a shock value to define the joke, and may not be initially noticeable to all viewers if it is a very fast joke.
This should not be confused with an iris shot
, frequently used in the silent film
era, where a black circle closes to end a scene.
The term "blackout gag" can also apply to fast paced TV or film comedy, such as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
, where there may not literally be a blackout, but a quick cut to the next gag.
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
comedy to describe a manner in which a gag or joke is executed. The term is derived from burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
and vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
, when the lights were quickly turned off after the punchline of a joke to accentuate it and/or allow for audience laughter. It may use a shock value to define the joke, and may not be initially noticeable to all viewers if it is a very fast joke.
This should not be confused with an iris shot
Iris shot
An iris shot is a technique frequently used in silent film in which a black circle closes to end a scene.Some non-silent era slapstick comedy, such as that of Red Skelton, Benny Hill, and Warner Bros.' Road Runner cartoons, employ the technique as an homage to the silent film era....
, frequently used in the silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era, where a black circle closes to end a scene.
The term "blackout gag" can also apply to fast paced TV or film comedy, such as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968, to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC...
, where there may not literally be a blackout, but a quick cut to the next gag.