After a short introduction to the state of humour research in general, this thesis is going to give an overview about the different humour theories and types of humour. After a short excursion to Stars Hollow and the setting of GILMORE GIRLS, the actual study of humour in GILMORE GIRLS on the basis of the 21 episodes of season one will follow. In that last part I will try to examine what exactly is so humorous about the GILMORE GIRLS and if any conclusions can be drawn on what Americans in general find humorous and what they laugh about.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Humour and humour research
2.1 Definition
2.2 Theories of humour
2.2.1 Superiority theories
2.2.2 Incongruity theories
2.2.3 Release / relief theories
2.2.4 Other theories
2.3 Context
2.4 Functions of humour
2.4.1 Psychological and physiological functions
2.4.2 Social functions
2.4.3 Interpersonal functions
3. GILMORE GIRLS
3.1 Overview about the series
3.1.1 Setting
3.1.2 Background
3.2 Comedy Drama
3.2.1 Genre
3.2.2 Conceptual characteristics
3.3 Humour in GILMORE GIRLS
4. The Study
4.1 Categories
4.2 The Episodes
4.2.1 01x01: Pilot
4.2.2 01x02: The Lorelais’ first day at Chilton
4.2.3 01x03: Kill Me Now
4.2.4 01x04: The Deer-Hunters
4.2.5 01x05: Cinnamon’s Wake
4.2.6 01x06: Rory’s Birthday Parties
4.2.7 01x07: Kiss and Tell
4.2.8 01x08: Love and War and Snow
4.2.9 01x09: Rory’s Dance
4.2.10 01x10: Forgiveness and Stuff
4.2.11 01x11 Paris is Burning
4.2.12 01x12: Double Date
4.2.13 01x13: Concert Interruptus
4.2.14 01x14: That Damn Donna Reed
4.2.15 01x15: Christopher Returns
4.2.16 01x16: Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
4.2.17 01x17: The Break-Up, Part 2
4.2.18 01x18: The Third Lorelai
4.2.19 01x19: Emily in Wonderland
4.2.20 01x20: P.S. I Lo…
4.2.21 01x21: Love, Daisies, and Troubadours
4.3 Summary
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
This thesis examines the role and manifestation of humour in the first season of the American TV series GILMORE GIRLS, exploring whether the show's specific brand of humour offers insights into broader American perceptions of funny situations and cultural values.
- Theoretical exploration of humour research (superiority, incongruity, and relief theories).
- Analysis of the comedy-drama genre and its unique structural characteristics.
- Character-based humour derived from the strained relationships between the Gilmore family members.
- Categorisation of humorous situations in the first 21 episodes using a specifically developed coding system.
- Investigation into how the series reflects contemporary social norms, values, and the "American way of life."
Excerpt from the Book
01x02: The Lorelais’ first day at Chilton
The second episode shows, as the title already reveals, the Gilmores before and during Rory’s first day at the new school. At the morning of her first day, Rory bursts into Lorelai’s bedroom, hysterical because her mother obviously overslept because of her eccentric ‘furry’ alarm clock. As they have to depart almost immediately, she urges Lorelai repeatedly to get dressed and ready – who remembers only then that she forgot to pick up her clean clothes from the dry cleaner’s and has to wear what little she finds in her cupboard. She comes downstairs in old, very short jeans shorts, a pink shirt with batik dyeing and cowboy boots, covered by a long dark cloak:
01:28
Lorelai: [sees Rory staring in disbelieve at her outfit] What?!
Rory: Nothing. I just didn’t know the rodeo was in town.
Lorelai: [annoyed because Rory has been bothering and urging her all morning] All right, that’s it. [grabs a framed picture from the escritoire] I’m bringing the baby pictures!
Rory: No! I’m sorry. I love the rodeo, the rodeo rules!
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the research scope, outlining the shift from general humour theory to the specific analysis of the first season of GILMORE GIRLS.
2. Humour and humour research: Provides a comprehensive academic overview of various humour theories including superiority, incongruity, and relief models, as well as their application in communication.
3. GILMORE GIRLS: Analyzes the background, setting, and generic characteristics of the series, contextualizing it within the comedy-drama landscape.
4. The Study: Details the classification system applied to the episodes and examines how specific character dynamics and situational incongruities produce humorous effects across the first 21 episodes.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, arguing that while GILMORE GIRLS mirrors certain American cultural values, its specific blend of humour is often too sophisticated and particular to be considered universally prototypical for American humour.
Keywords
Gilmore Girls, Humour Theory, Comedy-Drama, Incongruity, Social Inadequacy, Superiority Theory, Sitcom, American Television, Narrative Structure, Character Dynamics, Verbal Humour, Situational Humour, Cultural Values, Irony, Sarcasm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this thesis?
This work examines the mechanisms and functions of humour within the first season of the television series GILMORE GIRLS.
Which central thematic fields are analyzed?
The thesis covers general humour research theories, the comedy-drama genre, character relationship dynamics, and how TV narratives reflect cultural norms.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to determine what specifically makes the show humorous and to investigate whether the series can serve as a mirror for general American humour and values.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author develops a categorical coding system to classify humorous situations in the series as either verbal or non-verbal, assessing their function within the narrative.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It includes a theoretical foundation, a background study of the series' setting and characters, and a detailed, episode-by-episode breakdown of humorous dialogues.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key concepts include humour theory, social inadequacy, irony, character interaction, and the socio-cultural analysis of American television.
How is the unusual mother-daughter relationship portrayed in the series?
The series depicts an "inverted" role structure where the daughter often acts as the responsible party, while the mother exhibits childish behaviour; this constant inversion serves as a major source of humour.
What role do the grandparents play in the humorous dynamic?
The strained relationship between Lorelai and her wealthy, conservative parents creates frequent "incongruity" moments due to their vastly different lifestyles and values.
Why are the show's characters considered "eccentric"?
They are described as having unique, often "crazy" habits and fast-paced, sophisticated dialogue that distinguishes them from the static characters found in typical sitcoms.
- Quote paper
- Claudia Uhlig (Author), 2009, Humour in the TV series 'Gilmore girls', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/145253
