Scope Note:

Work in which the overall intent is to amuse, although the humor may have a serious, even pessimistic side. Although many works in different genres may contain humorous moments, a work is considered to be a comedy when the intent and the expression of the plot itself is humorous or when the tone of the entire work is overwhelmingly comic. Note: For more specific types of comedy, see also Dark comedy, Parody, Screwball comedy, Slapstick comedy, and Sophisticated comedy; do not use different types of comedy in conjunction with one another. For romantic comedy, use Screwball comedy, Sophisticated comedy, or Comedy in conjunction with Romance. Most fictional television comedy would go under Situation comedy, or if it centers on a family, Domestic comedy. Comedy television shows that consist of a series of comic sketches would use Comedy and Variety (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE; IN LIVING COLOR). For work which shows the performance of a comedian, usually delivered in a monologue fashion, and without separate comedic skits, use Comedy in conjunction with the form Performance, such as the Television specials BILL COSBY--HIMSELF (with the form Performance) or THE MARK RUSSELL COMEDY SPECIAL (with the form Performance). Film examples: THE BANK DICK; THE BLUES BROTHERS (with Musical); BUCK BENNY RIDES AGAIN (with Western); CITY LIGHTS; THE COCOANUTS; CROCODILE DUNDEE; HOLD ME WHILE I'M NAKED (1966) (with Experimental); HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS (with Family; Science fiction); MISTER ROBERTS (with War); MY FAVORITE BLONDE; MY LITTLE CHICKADEE (with Western); NINE TO FIVE; PILLOW TALK (with Romance); RICHARD PRYOR--HERE AND NOW (with the form Performance); SOME LIKE IT HOT (with Gangster); SOMMARNATTENS LEENDE / SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT (with Romance).

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