Editing Low comedy (section)

== Social context ==
{{Main|Low culture}}

Low comedy in society is quite well known; it can be found in a wide range of [[mass media|media]], such as television and theatre. It can also be found in {{clarify span|public and occupations|Possibly a term was mistakenly redacted here...?|date=January 2025}}, such as clowns, mimes and comedians. The term ''low'' is represented in association to [[low culture]]. This form of comedy is targeted and understood towards people who attain nonacademic high school education, meaning this form of comedy is not restricted to high levels of education and knowledge.<ref>Gans, H. J. (1975). ''Popular culture and high culture; an analysis and evaluation of taste''. New York: Basic Books.</ref> Low comedy is well known and popular today because it is considered suitable for all individuals. This form of comedy connects to popular culture by its easy to understand style.

Low comedy, however, has lacked appreciation from most of society and is looked down upon in contrast to [[high comedy]]. The sole purpose of low comedy is to evoke laughter in people. Because there is no contextual message in most forms of low comedy, it is not highly respected. This does not undermine the fact that it is still an effective form of comedy for its reputation to cause laughter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salute to low comedy|author=B. A.|date=Jan 21, 1934|work=New York Times|id={{ProQuest|101030559}}}}</ref>

The classification of things considered to be low comedy constantly changes over time. As society changes, so do the ideas about what high and low comedy is. For example, due to the overdoing of [[sitcoms]] in the past, it is now considered shrill, vulgar, low society where everyone talk-screeches in some sub-human, mock-sophisticated language of incessant insult. Some sitcoms are somewhere in between low and [[high comedy]]. For instance the animated series ''[[The Simpsons]]'' routinely includes [[slapstick]] violence, yet has also satirized political issues and parodied classic films and literature.<ref>{{cite news|author=Roush, M.|date=Oct 30, 1995|title=Low comedy of 'high society'|work=USA TODAY|id={{ProQuest|408705508}}}}</ref>

Today, low comedy can be seen in almost any production. Sitcoms often base most of the plot on this type of comedy because of society influencing productivity and considering it a low form of comedy. Modern adaptations of [[Shakespeare]]'s plays also use low comedy to convey a different understanding of the play.{{dubious|date=May 2021}} ''[[As You Like It]]'' for example is the story of a woman named Rosalyn who meets her male love interest while disguised as a man and inadvertently arouses the affection of a woman named Phoebe who repeatedly rejects her male suitor because she is in love with the man that Rosalyn is pretending to be.