Quote: Marc P @ October 12 2009, 10:02 AM BSTSublety - Earl Grey
So subtle that half the T's missing.
The degree of obviousness you give a gag Page 3
Quote: Nogget @ October 12 2009, 10:07 AM BSTSo subtle that half the T's missing.
Quote: Nogget @ October 11 2009, 6:53 PM BSTWhat factors affect the degree of obviousness you give a gag? At the bottom end of the scale, someone like Richard Whitley would flag up the approach of his bad puns with excruciating deliberation, such that they would be obvious to anyone, and thus rendered entirely unfunny. At the other end of the scale, gags can be so subtle, or be about such a specialist subject, that many people will fail to understand them.
the only factor that counts on this is audience reaction.
if they laugh, its obvious [and good] if they don't, it doesn't matter if its subtle or obscure.
The best bit of advise I ever got on this was "if you don't think its funny, no-one else will"
Write what you enjoy, not what you think other people may like.
Quote: Ronnie Anderson @ October 11 2009, 7:16 PM BSTI like James's website.
Thank you 
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ October 11 2009, 6:56 PM BSTI do like subtle jokes that may take a few seconds to sink in.
Which is precisely what I enjoy about Steve's work, that he makes you work for it a bit, rather than hitting you over the head, That sort of subtlety can I think be very effective, if the underlying joke is strong.
If on the other hand subtlety means just about amusing enough to raise a wan smile, then that does not really work for me.
Jokes relying on obscure references are great so long as they are not all you have got, and there is an actual joke there and not just a reference. Watch The Simpsons for how it should be done, and Spaced for how it shouldn't.
Quote: Timbo @ October 14 2009, 6:15 PM BSTIf on the other hand subtlety means just about amusing enough to raise a wan smile, then that does not really work for me.
I think most subtle jokes aren't really laugh out loud but I still love them. Saxondale is brilliant, but I think in a way that it is too good, because it is so subtle and I have realised that in general only comedy writers seem to like it.
Never occurred to me that there was anything particularly subtle about Saxondale, but to be honest I find very few modern sitcoms laugh out loud funny.
Quote: Timbo @ October 14 2009, 6:31 PM BSTNever occurred to me that there was anything particularly subtle about Saxondale,
that's because it's so subtle.
The best gag ever which I would consider subtle is in the human remains wife beating episode. I might not get this word perfect but after spending a whole scene talking about being pregnant Julie Davis's character says 'i'm not pregnant as such but it could happen anytime. Stephen's got quite a temper on him.'
Quote: Marc P @ October 12 2009, 10:02 AM BST
Sublety - Earl Grey
[/quote]
Thought that was what you did with your flaty
What about anti comedy?
Quote: Loopey @ October 14 2009, 7:22 PM BSTQuote: Marc P @ October 12 2009, 10:02 AM BST
Sublety - Earl Grey
Thought that was what you did with your flaty[/quote]
Que?
Just worked it out
Sub - Let - Y
Flat - y