Lead Blog Post

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GceNsojnMf0&t=3s

Limmy's Show is a Scottish sketch comedy show. In this particular clip, it is pointed out how odd it is that someone would go to a store and pay for a bottle of water when you can get tap water anytime of the day, for little or no price from a faucet at home.

The humor in this clip comes from the mannerisms of the main character and from the point-of-view style of the camera. Limmy presents the knowledge of tap water as a revelation. This is initially humorous because it is dramatized with the initial "psst c'here" as if the knowledge is a secret, and phrases such as "are you watching this?" as he gives a demonstration of how a sink faucet works. He uses facial expressions to make his point and punchline.

The addition of the characters at the end of the clip greatly increase the humor because before, Limmy might have been perceived as cynical or just not getting the concept of bottled water, but after the characters come over, it makes him seem smarter as the audience is shocked and humored that these other people seemingly had no idea that tap water existed. The glass of water is even passed around like an achievement. Honestly one of my favorite parts of the clip is when the other people are so excited to drink this amazing real water one resorts to drinking out of a bowl.

The point-of-view style of the camera adds emphasis to the jokes. The camera acts as if the viewer is personally there, moving closer when motioned and swiveling to the faucet and other characters at the end of the clip. Limmy even breaks the fourth wall as the camera zooms in on his facial expressions, much like the interview segments on The Office. This zoom to the facial expressions lets the audience in on the joke. Rather than just laughing at the situation itself, the audience can feel "in" on the joke.

For American audience members, the clip is also humorous for the heavy Scottish accents, which can be difficult to understand at times. The accent adds a layer of different and incongruity as it is not something we often hear.

This clip can be explained by the incongruity theory. It is common knowledge that you can get water from tap, however he fills the cup as if it is new information. It is also incongruous that the people at the end are surprised that the water is even real. They are eager to get their own plates and bowls and try this water, even exclaiming after drinking, "Water?!" which is incongruous because the everyday person knows the purpose of a faucet is to produce water. Finally, as the other people are still amazed and hectically passing around cups and bowls to try the water, the camera turns to Limmy who calmly and triumphantly says "cheers!" which you would not expect from someone who just caused a bunch of confusion.

Superiority can also be seen in this clip as it is viewed as common sense that water from a faucet is readily available 24/7. When the people come out from behind the camera and cannot believe the water is real, the humor comes from their cluelessness.