Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan
Of course there are! The idiot, the bumbler, the straight-man, the distraction, the mistaken identity, the mistaken meaning, the replacement, the mix-up, the out-of-context reaction, and let's not forget the over-the-top physical violence (slapstick)... all of these, and more, are classic comedy tropes. So, yes, comedy can be a "genre."
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It is easier to appreciate this in the video arena: comedy sub-genres include the family sitcom, the rom-com, buddy comedies, workplace comedies, etc. Each variant has its tropes and conventions. (The precocious lil kid, the mouthy senior, the trouble-making best friend, the clueless boss, etc.)
The details and settings may change but the basic structure remains.
Some classifications *are* pure marketting but some are reflective of the nature of the material or story. And some are a matter of perception: is a fractured fairy tale a comedy or fantasy? Are Asimov's Robot Novels mysteries or SF? He wrote both genres and the stories are a blend of the tropes and techniques of both. Is THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE SF or romance? In the end, you have to dig deep and figure out what the story is *about* in the end.
The issue is that consumers have grown use to the shorthand of the genre labels (and preconceptions) and the conventions and tropes that go with them. Mislabeling (accidental or purposeful) can result in directing the story towards an audience that might not appreciate it for what it is. I could see higher sales but poorer reviews...
[As far as I'm concerned, the Robot Novels are about disruptive tech and culture clashes--SF--while TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE is about the relationship and emotions--romance. Other cases may not be as clear, of course...]