sketch comedy
Funny scene fragments
Sketch comedy is a form of comedy built from short, self-contained scenes rather than a continuous narrative.
Each sketch typically runs a few minutes, with its own premise, characters, and punchline.
The format suits television variety shows and live performance: Saturday Night Live has been the flagship of American sketch comedy for decades.
Sketch troupes like Monty Python and Kids in the Hall developed cult followings through recurring characters and absurdist premises.
Brief comic performance
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- liveTo exist or dwell
- stageRaised performance platform
- timingArt of choosing moments
cast · script · director · monologue · cold open · blackout · recurring character · catchphrase
Humor's final delivery
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- witClever, inventive humor
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
laughter · shtick · jest · quip · running gag · callback · deadpan · absurdist
Pretending to be another
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
- mockumentarySatirical fake nonfiction film
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
send-up · satire · takeoff · imitation · celebrity impression · political satire · genre parody · pop culture
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- audience participationSpectators actively joining performance
scene work · games · workshop · heightening · callback · character work · offer · blocking
Comedic fall on buttocks
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- sight gagJoke told through action
- double takeDelayed reaction of surprise
clowning · buffoonery · mugging · body language · stunt · slow burn · reaction shot · over-the-top
skit
Brief comic performance
timing · cast · script · director · monologue · cold open · blackout · recurring character · catchphrase · ensemble cast
punchline
Humor's final delivery
funny · laughter · shtick · jest · quip · running gag · callback · deadpan · absurdist · observational
impersonation
Pretending to be another
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
- mockumentarySatirical fake nonfiction film
lampoon · send-up · satire · takeoff · imitation · celebrity impression · political satire · genre parody · pop culture · news parody
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
audience participation · scene work · games · workshop · heightening · callback · character work · offer · blocking · discovery
pratfall
Comedic fall on buttocks
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- sight gagJoke told through action
double take · clowning · buffoonery · mugging · body language · stunt · slow burn · reaction shot · over-the-top · pie-in-the-face
- SNLSaturday Night Live, Weekend Update, cold open, cue cards, musical guest
- comedyjokes, humor, puns, sarcasm, stand-up
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comic, funny
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- televisionTV, television, broadcast, TV shows, TV series
sketch comedystand-up comedy
Live solo comedic performance
sitcom · comedic monologue · one-person show · one-man show · improvisational comedy
sketch comedyserialized drama
Narrative released in episodes
dramatic series · novel adaptation · soap opera · miniseries · character study
sketch comedytragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
drama · Greek tragedy · Shakespearean tragedy · melodrama · prestige drama
comedy, sketch, comical, comedian, sketching, sketched, sketches, comedic, comically