Response to lead Blogger "Caroline"

In Caroline's blog post I like that she brings up a contradictory perspective to the superiority theory. Clearly in the superiority theory, one laughs when they feel a sense of power and superiority over someone else. However, in this blog post, Caroline uses the stand-up comedian, John Mulaney as a prime example of how the superiority theory can be misleading. Referring to the comedian she states that “he rather compares his actions to concepts that are just ridiculous enough to deride him in a funny way, which therefore gives us permission to laugh at him” (Caroline bass comedy blog). The inferiority that John Mulaney possesses is clear in the video “New in Town” where he is acknowledging his poor driving skills. Caroline acknowledges the fact that what makes this so funny is that we as the audience are able to relate to John Mulaney. At one point in the video, he says, “I hear you honking and I also don’t want me to be doing what I’m doing” (John Melaney). I agree with Caroline that I enjoy this type of humor because the comedian is completely transparent with his audience.

Caroline also made a good point by bringing up Albert Rapps opinion on “alter ego” in the “Humor and Superiority” reading by John Lippitt. I liked that she was able to discontinue this idea and give examples from John Mulaney's comedy show which proved that one is, in fact, able to laugh at their past and present self.

Overall,  this post gave good insight to why stand up comedy is funny and relatable. Through the examples of John Mulaney's driving, it is clear that he is able to make himself inferior to his audience which in return gives them the ability to find what he is saying humorous.