COMEDY

DEFINITION OF COMEDY
× Comedy is any work that is intended to incite laughter and amusement, especially in
theatre, television, film, stand-up comedy or any other entertainment medium. It
dates back to the Ancient Greeks, originating from the comedy literary definition
which refers to a medieval story or narrative involving an amusing character that
triumphs over poor circumstances, creating comic effects. The tone here is light and
satirical and the story always ends well.

× The word comedy came from Greek word komoidia "a comedy, amusing spectacle,"
probably from komodios "actor or singer in the revels," from the root words komos
(revel, carousal, merry-making, festival) + aoidos (singer, poet).

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History
× Originated in Greece:

× Megaris and Sicyon - people were noted for their coarse humor and sense of the
ludicrous, while Susarion, the earliest comic poet, was a native of a Megarian town. Add to
this that it arose from the Phallic processions of the Greeks in honor of their god
Dionysus.

× Athens - During the time of Demosthenes riotous youths infested the streets of Athens
delighted in their comic buffooneries. Pasquinades of the coarsest kind were part of the
exhibitions. it was that comedy found a home at Athens during the time of Pericles, for it
furnished the demagogues with a safe and convenient means of attacking their political
opponents.

× By a consensus of authorities’ comedy has been arranged in three divisions, or rather

should they be termed variations in form--the old, the middle and the new.

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OLD COMEDY
× dating from the establishment of democracy by Pericles, about 450 B.C., arose from
the coarse jests of Dionysian revelers, to which was given a political application.

× most extravagant of burlesque, in essence they were the most virulent of abuse and
personal vilification. In its license of word and gesture, on its audacious directness of
invective, no restriction was placed by the dramatist, the audience or the authorities.

× The satire and abuse were directed against some object of popular dislike, to whom
were not only applied such epithets as coward, fool and knave, but he was
represented as saying and doing everything that was contemptible, as suffering
everything that was ludicrous and degrading.

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OLD COMEDY
× Comedy became a recognized branch of the drama, often presenting a brilliant
sparkle in dialogue and a poetic beauty in the choral parts not unworthy of the best
efforts of the tragic muse. Thus, also, it became a powerful engine in the hands of a
skillful and unscrupulous politician.

× Aristophanes grafted the Pantagruelism, he made a free use both of the spirit and
mechanical appliances of old Greek comedy, adopting the disguise of buffoonery to
attack some prevailing form of cant and hypocrisy.

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MIDDLE COMEDY
× The period of the middle comedy extended from the close of the Peloponnesian war
to the enthralment of Athens by Philip of Macedon; from the closing years of the
fifth to nearly the middle of the fourth century B.C.

× it had no chorus, public characters were not personated on the stage, and the objects
of its ridicule were general rather than personal, literary rather than political. The
one (Old Comedy) was caricature and lampoon, the other (Middle Comedy) was
criticism and review.

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MIDDLE COMEDY
× The favorite themes were the literary and social peculiarities of the day, which,
together with the prominent systems of philosophy, were treated with light and not
ill-natured ridicule. For instance. The grandest tragedies of Æschylus and
Sophocles, the noblest passages of Homer, and the most beautiful lyrics of Pindar
and Simonides were freely parodied, and in the same way were treated subjects
taken directly from ancient mythology.

× In dealing with society, classes rather than individuals were attacked, as courtesans,
parasites, revellers, and especially the self-conceited cook, who, with his parade of
culinary science, was always a favorite target for the shafts of middle comedy.

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NEW COMEDY
× The new comedy lasted throughout the reign of the Macedonian rulers,
ending about 260 B.C.

× For the first time love became the principal element in the drama, but it
also was seldom an honest love. The heavy father also makes his
appearance, as still we know him, and is often led into the vices and follies
which he has reproved in his son.

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NEW COMEDY
× the characters were very much as in the middle comedy, but with the
addition of the mercenary soldier newly returned from the wars, with noisy
tongue, full purse and empty head.

× the new comedy represented faithfully the most salient features of Athenian
society; but it made no attempt to improve it, presenting only in attractive
colors the lax morality of the age.

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PROPONENT

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

1963 — Jerry Lewis

× Jerry Lewis is total comedy royalty, with
starring roles and buddy comedies with Dean
Martin, in films spanning decades. But he hit
his big solo break in the 1963 with the
comedy "The Nutty Professor."
× He later would be best known for his support
and telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association.

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

1964 — Dick Van Dyke

× Dick Van Dyke ruled the comedy scene.
He starred in his own show "The Dick
Van Dyke Show" beginning in 1961 and
starred in "Bye Bye Birdie" in 1963. But
he really became an icon in 1964 with his
role as Bert in "Mary Poppins."

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL
1967 — Carol Burnett
× Carol Burnett was a staple of the comedy scene
for years, but she really became an icon in 1967
when "The Carol Burnett Show" premiered. The
sketch show featured prolific comedians,
including Dick Van Dyke, with Burnett at the
helm.
× Since then, she's done everything from theater to
game shows to soap operas. She was also the first
celebrity to appear on "Sesame Street" during the
series first episode in 1969.

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

1971 — Gene Wilder

× Gene Wilder had tons of
commercial success with
comedies like "The Producers"
and "Young Frankenstein," but
perhaps his most iconic role came
in 1971 with "Willy Wonka and
the Chocolate Factory."

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

1992 — Robin Williams

× Robin Williams rose to fame in the 1970's and
80's as a stand-up comedian and TV and film
star. While he was more than capable of
delivering outstanding dramatic performances
as he does in 1989's "Dead Poets Society", it
was his comedy that drove his success. His role
as Genie in 1992's "Aladdin" was written
specifically for him, and would become one of
his most iconic roles.

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

1997 — Will Smith

× America had already fallen in love with Will
Smith for his hilarious starring rolein "The Fresh
Prince of Bel-Air" and his musical partnership
with DJ Jazzy Jeff. But it was 1996's
"Independence Day" and 1997's "Men in Black"
that truly established him as a comedic leading
man that would stick around.

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : INTERNATIONAL

2007 — Jeff Dunham

× Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, along
with his puppets, became one of the most
successful comics in the world. The popularity
of his 2007 special "Spark of Insanity" made him
the highest-grossing comic of 2008, and his
Comedy Central Christmas special that aired the
same year was the network's most-watched
broadcast ever.

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. (July 25, 1928 - July 10,
2012)

• His screen name is "Dolphy"

• He considered as the "King of Philippine Comedy"
• He is known for "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo Tita
(1953)", "Jack en Jill (1954)", "Facifica Falay-fay
(1969)", "John En Marsha (1973)", "Ang Tatay
kong Nanay (1978)", "Haw Haw de Karabaw
(1988)", "Home Along Da Riles (1992)",
"Markova: Comfort Gay (2000)", and "Father
Jejemon (2010)."

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
German Moreno (October 4, 1933 - January 8,
2016)

• also known as "Kuya Germs"

• Regarded as "The Master Showman"
• He was a Filipino television host, actor,
comedian and talent manager.
• He was known for "Walang Tulugan with
the Master Showman" (1997), "Idol Ko si
Kap" (2000), and "Adik Sa'yo" (2009).

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
Alfonso D. Tagle (February 25, 1925 - December 18,
1995)

• His screen name is "Panchito Alba"

• Comic Duo
• He is also known for parodical films such as
"Paenguin" (A parody of Batman's arch nemesis
The Penguin).
• His first film with Dolphy is "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,
Tita (1954)" following other Filipino comedies
"Kalabog en Bosyo (1959)", "Beatnik (1960)",
"Pepe and Pilar (1966)."

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL

• Pablito Sarmiento (February 20, 1942 - August 7,

1998)

• Also known as "Babalu"

• He is a Filipino Comedian Actor
• Dolphy, the King of Philippine Comedy, discovered
Babalu's talent as a comedian.
• His screen name was a reference to his long chin
• He is known for "Wanted: Perfect Father (1994)",
"Oki Doki Doc (1993)" and "Oki Doki Doc (1996)"

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
Cipriano Cermeño II • Filipino actor and comedian
(December 5, 1955 – July • First came to prominence in the late 1970s for his
25, 2010) supporting role in the sitcom Iskul Bukol.
• Also known as • He was reportedly born with albinism, which gave
"Redford White" rise to his screen name.
• Some of his TV shows are "Buddy En Sol" (RPN,
1990-1994) as Sol, "Lovingly Yours" (GMA Network,
1984-1996), "2+2" (BBC 2, 1981)
• "Iskul Bukol" (IBC, 1977–1990) as Redford, "Home
Along Da Riles" (ABS-CBN, 1995) as guest, "Daddy
Di Do Du" (GMA Network, 2001-2007) as Bruce,
"Kokey" (ABS-CBN, 2007) as Nanding Kalugdan and
"Palos" (ABS-CBN, 2008) as Mario "his last TV
show"

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
Renato Requiestas (January 22, 1957 - July 24, 1993)

• His screen name is "Rene Requiestas"

• Attained his first big break after he was recruited as one of
the satirical newscast members on Diaz Abaya's Sic O'
Clock News (1980s).
• First big movie role came in 1988 when he played Stalone
aka Pandoy in the box office hit Sheman: Mistress of the
Universe.
• He was an actor and writer, known for Cheeta-eh: Ganda
lalake? (1991), Alyas Batman en Robin (1991) and Elvis &
James (1989).
 
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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL
Vicente "Tito" Castelo Sotto III (August 24, 1948), Marvic
Valentin Castelo Sotto (April 28, 1954 - Present), Jose Maria
"Joey" Ramos de Leon (October 14, 1946 - Present)

• Actor, singer, songwriter, comedian

• It was the sitcom Iskul Bukol that gave them nationwide fame
as comedians.
• Their shows are "Working Boys" (1985), "Mang Kepweng"
(1979), "Iskul Bukol: Freshmen" (1980), "Mr. One-Two-Three"
(1980), "Mr. One-Two-Three, Part Two" (1980), "Tartan" (1981),
"Mag-Toning Muna Tayo" (1981), "Bilibid Gays" (1981), "Age
Doesn't Matter" (1981).

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SIGNIFICANT PERSON : NATIONAL

Beethoven Michael del Valle Bunagan (December 17,

1969 - Present)

• His stage name is "Michael V." and he is also known as

"Bitoy"
• a Filipino actor, stand-up comedian, impersonator,
director, composer, singer, rapper, voice artist, vlogger.
• Regarded as the "The King of Philippine Parody"
• He is known for Tropang Trumpo (1994), Pepito
Manaloto (2010), Bubble Gang (1995) and Yaya &
Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie (2009).

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SIGNIFICANCE
× Comedy is needed now . more than ever. Beyond the normal pains
and hindrances of life, we are now entering an era under an
administration that brings ample uncertainty. Besides film, music
and literature, we can use our unique humor to relieve some of the
stress that everyone feels.

× Laughter has famously been considered the “best medicine.” This

healing power undoubtedly finds its base in the moments of self-
reflective euphoria that come with every well-presented passing
joke or remark.

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THANKS

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