A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling.
Running gags can begin with an instance of unintentional humor that is repeated in variations as the joke grows familiar and audiences anticipate reappearances of the gag. The humor in a running gag may derive entirely from how often it is repeated, the (in)appropriateness of the situation in which the gag occurs, or setting up the audience to expect another occurrence of the joke and then substituting something else (bait and switch). Running gags are found mostly in television shows, but also appear in other places, such as video games, films, books, and comic strips.
A running gag can be verbal or visual and may "convey social values by echoing belligerent speakers with a barrage of caricatured threats." For example, a character may present others with a proposition that is so ridiculous or outrageous it is likely to be self-mocking to the point where the original request has little or no chance of actually being carried out and results in a humorous effect. Occasionally, the characters themselves may be aware of the running gag and make humorous mention of it.
Instead, Grady-Hall runs the show, working tirelessly to make mirth and present laughter ... And the running gag about his mum, Linda, phoning him while he’s on stage soon wears thin.
It wasn’t just the familiarity of the characters or the reassuring running gags (what did happen on that fishing trip?) but – with the episode going out at 9pm and not available on streaming ...
Dozens of 'let down' families have woken up to no water on Christmas Day after a burst main left their supply running dry for as long as 24 hours... 'I've sat on the toilet absolutely gagging because it's disgusting.
With Gull’s long-running gag order in the case lifted at the end of Friday’s sentencing, police and prosecutors held a news conference where they thanked investigators for their work that helped with Allen’s arrest and prosecution ... .
With Gull's long-running gag order in the case lifted at the end of Friday's sentencing, police and prosecutors held a news conference where they thanked investigators for their work that helped with Allen's arrest and prosecution ... 13, 2017 ... .
Recently, a draft illustration 37 years ago was released which depicts one of Goku's first rivals, Pilaf ... He makes occasional appearances in 'Dragon Ball Z' and even becomes a running gag in 'Dragon BallSuper', in which he is adopted by Bulma ... .
Relatives of German and Williams may address the court during the hearing, which Gull has scheduled to run from 9 a.m ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt.
SF police shoot and kill armed man suspected in injury hit and run ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt.
Relatives of German and Williams may address the court during the hearing, which Gull has scheduled to run from 9 a.m ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt.
RELATED STORY ... 13, 2017 ... "He had every chance to run, but he did not because he didn't do it," Rozzi told the jury ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt ... .
Relatives of German and Williams may address the court during the hearing, which Gull has scheduled to run from 9 a.m ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt.
Relatives of German and Williams may address the court during the hearing, which Gull has scheduled to run from 9 a.m ... Gull's long-running gag order in the case is expected to be lifted after Allen is sentenced, Indiana State Police spokesperson Capt.
“Pablo said, ‘Angie is the jewel of this production ...Busting Out ... A running gag in the film finds Callas frequently asking her butler and housekeeper to move the piano from room to room, so Dyas annotated the moves on his floor plan of her apartment ... .
Indeed, one of my only minor gripes with the show itself has to do with the running gag of the girls’ act ... Grantzinger’s judgy secretary, Miss Cratchitt, she and June share a run-up to a classic punch line..
