Types
of
SKETCH
Over the years I have put together a sketch group or two, often
casting very talented comic performers who had very little sketch
comedy experience. This was always a challenge, because sketch is
a very specific artform, which requires certain conditions to make
it work. In addition, TV sketch comedy is completely different to
stage sketch. TV can rely on costumes, editing and large sets, but
stage relies on dialogue, easily removable costume pieces (hats, and
the ever present stackhats) and a strong ending. The last line can,
and often, is the bane of sketch comedy writers, with a quick black
out, the all too common last resort.
The notion of a strong ending, a punchline, is just as important in
sketch as it is in stand up. In a way it can be even more crucial, as
an entire sketch can build up towards the moment where it all
comes together in the big laugh. An example of this is in a ‘Corner
Shop’ sketch from British duo Mitchell and Webb. During the entire
sketch a slightly foppish, dishevelled man is buying goods from the
corner shop. He starts out with bread, a paper and beer, but gradually puts the bread and paper back, and decides that his loose
change should cover two incredibly strong lager beers “to quench
his perishing thirst”. At the end of the sketch he reveals that he will
drink the beers, and have a nap on the steps of the shop. You then
realise he is a bum who does this every day. The reveal providing
the punchline of the simple, but clever sketch.
However, not all sketches rely on an original, clever punchline.
Sometimes it is the repeating of an expected punchline, or catch
phrase, that delivers the humour. Think almost every sketch in