Cereal Monogamist: 30 Rock and the Comedy Rule of Three

30 Rock and the Comedy Rule of Three

This episode, “Apollo, Apollo,” aired a few weeks ago, but I just rewatched it this weekend and I can’t over how hilariously the gag of Kenneth the page seeing the world muppet-style played out. I’ve realized that the path of the joke perfectly illustrates the Comedy Rule of Three. A basic description of the Rule of Three is that everything is funniest in groups of three. A more specific variation on the rule suggests that the perfect multi-layer joke rolls out by first establishing a premise, next by reinforcing the premise, and third by upending the premise in an unexpected way.

Early in the episode, corporate shark Jack Donaghy expresses admiration for Kenneth’s optimistic innocence, saying it must be incredible to see the world through his eyes. A shot of Kenneth establishes a first-person POV shot and then we see Jack the way Kenneth sees him: as a muppet, complete with power suit and slicked-back hair.

Later in the episode, Kenneth and Jack talk to Tracy Jordan, who has been tricked into thinking he’s orbiting the earth in a space shuttle. We get a brief bit about how Tracy sees the world (everyone’s a Tracy) and then Kenneth views Tracy in the guise of a muppet as well.

BUT! Almost immediately after muppet-Tracy, the joke is stepped up a notch by muppet-Liz.

The way the episode cuts from Kenneth’s POV of muppet-Liz to actual Liz, still flopping around like she’s constructed out of felt, brings a new and unexpected twist to the established joke—just one of many reasons why 30 Rock is, and continues to be, awesome.

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Comments

Posted by: Myrtle Beach SEO
Posted on: April 6, 2009 11:47 PM

That was hilarious! I missed the episode the first time but went and found it after reading your post. Thanks for the tip!
Adam

Posted by: Myrtle Beach SEO
Posted on: April 6, 2009 11:49 PM

That was a great episode! I missed it the first time it was on but went back and found it after reading your post on here. Thanks for the tip!
Cheers,
Adam

Posted by: Myrtle Beach SEO
Posted on: April 6, 2009 11:51 PM

Sorry for the double post!
I didn't think it went through the first time. This thing is acting strange tonight.
:/