Deadpan
|
|
Deadpan is a form of comedic delivery in which something humorous is said or done by a person, while not exhibiting a change in emotion or facial expression.
- Buster Keaton, known as the "Great Stone Face", became famous for never cracking a smile in any of his films.
- Jack Benny and Johnny Carson were famous for their "takes", blank stares toward the camera in response (or nonresponse) to something funny that had just happened.
- Pat Paulsen spoke in a blank monotone with heavy eyelids, usually opening with, "Good evening, I'm really excited to be here."
- Jackie Vernon caricatured the typically boring slide-projector presentation of vacation photos.
- Ben Stein, a university professor in real life, found a new career as a comedy actor by exploiting the stereotype of the dull academic, often acting as a straight man.
- Monty Python were known for their sincere performances of utter lunacy.
- Daria Morgendorffer, the star of the animated TV show Daria, is known for her monotone voice and expressionless face.
- Leslie Nielsen progressed from being a dramatic actor in films such as The Poseidon Adventure to a comedic actor due in large part to his seriousness as he delivers nonsensical lines in movies such as Airplane! ("Surely you can't be serious!" "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.") and The Naked Gun series.
- Kevin Nealon consistently used an expressionless delivery for his characters on Saturday Night Live.
- Bob Newhart is known for his deadpan delivery and his slight stammer, as featured on The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, and in classic standup routines.
- Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "The humorous story is told gravely; the teller does his best to conceal the fact that he even dimly suspects that there is anything funny about it."
- Stephen Colbert is one of today's most noted deadpan comedians for his performances as a correspondent on The Daily Show.
- Steven Wright is an American stand-up comedian whose act is filled with deadpan. quotes (http://www.freemaninstitute.com/Wright.htm)