Callback (comedy)
Encyclopedia
A callback, in terms of comedy
, is a joke
which refers to one previously told in the set. The second joke is often presented in a different context than the one which was used in the initial joke. Callbacks are usually used at or near the end of a set, as the aim is to create the biggest laugh at the end of a comic set. The main principle behind the callback is to make the audience
feel a sense of familiarity with the subject matter, as well as with the comedian. It helps to create audience rapport. When the second joke is told, it induces a feeling similar to that of being told a personal or in-joke
.
Example: In his monologue Dress to Kill
, comedian Eddie Izzard
goes into a non sequitur about Engelbert Humperdinck
:
Much later, after moving on to other topics, Izzard is telling a story about having his masculinity impugned by his first sex partner:
The joke gets a bigger laugh because it calls back to his earlier confusion about whether Engelbert Humperdinck was dead, as well as drawing on his earlier claim that Humperdinck's name is ridiculous to make his own failure with the woman seem more humiliating.
was one of the first sitcoms to regularly use callbacks in its scripts, although on a level which would often be missed or disregarded by viewers. More recently 30 Rock
has employed callbacks to reference fictitious movies and television programs created within the show. Arrested Development became well known by fans for its regular use of callbacks throughout all of its episodes. Of course, the line between a callback and simple continuity
can sometimes be ambiguous. The opening sequence of the season nineteen premiere of The Simpsons
calls back to the events in the movie
.
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
, is a joke
Joke
A joke is a phrase or a paragraph with a humorous twist. It can be in many different forms, such as a question or short story. To achieve this end, jokes may employ irony, sarcasm, word play and other devices...
which refers to one previously told in the set. The second joke is often presented in a different context than the one which was used in the initial joke. Callbacks are usually used at or near the end of a set, as the aim is to create the biggest laugh at the end of a comic set. The main principle behind the callback is to make the audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
feel a sense of familiarity with the subject matter, as well as with the comedian. It helps to create audience rapport. When the second joke is told, it induces a feeling similar to that of being told a personal or in-joke
In-joke
An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding...
.
Example: In his monologue Dress to Kill
Dress to Kill
Dress To Kill is the title of a performance by Eddie Izzard, and is a continuation of the British comedian's surrealist, ideas-based comedy. The VHS was recorded during a performance in San Francisco, California, United States. However, the tour was a global one...
, comedian Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard
Edward John "Eddie" Izzard is a British stand-up comedian and actor. His comedy style takes the form of rambling, whimsical monologue and self-referential pantomime...
goes into a non sequitur about Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)
Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me " and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" .-Early life:...
:
That's not his real name... His parents were not Mr. and Mrs. Humperdinck. They never said, "What shall we call our son so he does not get the shit kicked out of him at school? We shall call him Engelbert!" No, his name was Gerry Dorsey, and he released songs as Gerry Dorsey... And then his managers, obviously, said, "We're going to change your name, Gerry! It's the name that's the problem." And his name changed from Gerry Dorsey to Engelbert Humperdinck... And it worked! But he's dead now, you hear that? Yeah, today, on CNN. I heard it as I was just coming out. Very weird... [inhales deeply and exhales] It's not true, heh. [exhales] No, it is true. Yeah, he was L.A. Something happened... No, it isn't true. No, he was in a car in L.A. driving along and something hit him or something like that. [about 25 seconds of pauses and audience laughter, as Eddie nods and denies the truth of this statement] No no, no, he's all right, he's all right... I think he's got a cold, that's what they said.
Much later, after moving on to other topics, Izzard is telling a story about having his masculinity impugned by his first sex partner:
It was... fucked me off, I tell you. But she's dead now, so... No, she isn't... No, she was in L.A., in a car, with Engelbert Humperdinck, and...
The joke gets a bigger laugh because it calls back to his earlier confusion about whether Engelbert Humperdinck was dead, as well as drawing on his earlier claim that Humperdinck's name is ridiculous to make his own failure with the woman seem more humiliating.
Television
In television, the term callback has come to mean a joke or line that refers to a previous episode (or sometimes, in rare cases, movies). Particularly in earlier sitcoms - though even until the early 1990s — callbacks were rare and often frowned upon by networks, because they threaten to isolate a viewer who is new to the series, or who missed episodes. SeinfeldSeinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
was one of the first sitcoms to regularly use callbacks in its scripts, although on a level which would often be missed or disregarded by viewers. More recently 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
has employed callbacks to reference fictitious movies and television programs created within the show. Arrested Development became well known by fans for its regular use of callbacks throughout all of its episodes. Of course, the line between a callback and simple continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
can sometimes be ambiguous. The opening sequence of the season nineteen premiere of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
calls back to the events in the movie
The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress...
.