'Comic timing' ??? !!!

Rekha_ji thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#1
This phrase gets thrown around a little too often.
But how many actually know what it really means?

I've seen it used especially by fans of Sridevi and Juhi Chawla.
Nobody is satisfied by saying they are "good at comedy", it has to be "she has great comic timing" 😆

So what does it mean?

In my understanding, the term is almost exclusively suited to "live" comedy. Pausing momentarily for the audience to laugh (timing) and then carrying on. Which makes sense as all live comedy acts use this tool.

But in film. Is it suitable? I don't think so at all. Perhaps only in "slapstick" comedy sequences, which probably peaked in the 70s. We don't see that style of physical comedy any more.

It irks me. Stop mis-using the phrase people!

Google > Wikipedia >
    "Comic timing is the use of rhythm, tempo and pausing to enhance comedy and humour. The pacing of the delivery of a joke can have a strong impact on its comedic effect, even altering its meaning; the same can also be true of more physical comedy such as slapstick."

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JhakaasAccio thumbnail
13th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 9 years ago
#2
I don't know if it exactly matches the definition but for me comic timing is when you can make a normal line sound so funny because of the way you say it.

From the actors I know, I think Akshay has the best comic timing.i just guffaw at everything he says because of the way he says it. Case in point- Bhool Bhulaiya.
'Itna susu laate kahaan se ho' 'Aamhi je tumhaar chin chin chi' I cannot help it I don't think I would've laughed so hard if this was some other guy mouthing these dialogues.

Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal & sometimes SRK are some actors who make me laugh the way they say their dialogues.

In actresses, Kajol in K3G- 'Kaun Ashwaq miyaaah keh rahe ho' Even the shayaris made me laugh 🤣
Second, Bebo in JWM - As Geet her style of speaking was very different from usually she does, I used to
Laugh at everything she said!
Edited by MaybeSomeday - 9 years ago
870349 thumbnail
Posted: 9 years ago
#3
I don't know what it is either . Im sure "good at comedy" sounds just fine . Like spouting random one liners only will get the right reaction if the person can pull it off
SASSZS thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#4
I guess comic sense is a better term to describe? But I don know Im just saying what I know, comic timing I suppose is to describe the actor's ability to express it more funnier than the line already is?? Getting the expressions and body language right att the very moment?? Maybe.. Juhi has perfect timing imo, she always gets the expression and tone right.. Sri is close second.. In actors, I think SRK used to be in his 90s films.. Besides him, I like Aamir in Ishq movie, Akshay Kumar is definitely good and Abhishek Bachan in Dostana was also good..

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