Response to Lindsey's Post

I have surprisingly actually seen these Barbie memes before on instagram and twitter, but I don’t know if I’ve seen the actual videos on youtube before. I always wondered where these memes actually came from, but now it makes sense that they’re from a youtube series. I liked how you used the three theories of humor to analyze this piece of comedy. I think that the Barbie meme videos are almost a reality tv show since it is documenting their lives, which would then make it superiority theory since it is almost belittling their actions. Reality shows are a perfect example of the superiority theory since it is looking down on their actions and in a way making fun of them. I also think it could be an example of incongruity theory since it is so strange that people are getting their entire lives filmed and we laugh at how you would not expect people to have their entire life filmed. The whole ideas that barbies are being filmed and acting completely different than what one would believe barbies to be definitely makes it an example of the incongruity theory. I think it’s so funny though that men voice the barbies, which is yet again another example of incongruity because no one would expect that when they see barbies. I also liked how you incorporated the benign violation theory because it is so accurate that the fact they are just barbie dolls downplays the terrible things they do. I think I might get drawn into this series if I start watching more episodes because it’s actually so funny.

Comments

  1. Caroline BassNovember 7, 2018 at 10:00 PM

    Awesome post, Lucy! I really loved your approach in focusing on how reality shows are comedic, especially through the superiority theory. I think it's really interesting that shows like "Keeping up with the Kardashians" are undeniably funny for the viewers, but we have no way of knowing the level of self-awareness the people starring in reality shows have. Obviously, some act in an even more exaggerated manner for money and exposure, but I always question how fabricated the events are in reality shows. Even though it's scripted, "The most popular girls in school" clearly shows an abundance of parallels to reality shows. This demonstrates that parodies are only slightly different versions of the original material, so only slight changes need to be made to mock things that are intended to be serious.

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  2. Shane HerronNovember 12, 2018 at 6:17 AM

    I think you are right that it is definitely a parody of reality shows and, in a sense, a reality show itself. Many reality shows seem to use the "just joking" defense to some degree--that is, they know on some level that they are fake and are trying to do that. As Caroline points out, this show mocks that fake aspect of "reality" shows.

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  3. UnknownNovember 12, 2018 at 11:57 AM

    Plenty of reality shows take on the same approach as this youtube series does, and I loved the way you analyzed it in terms of the superiority theory. As you said, reality shows are prime examples of the superiority theory because reality shows typically include looking down on the characters actions, therefore feeling superior to them. However, reality shows are typically more about the selfishness of the characters and even though we feel superior to them, the characters are unaware of it, and the reality shows include the characters feeling superior to others and mocking others.

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