[pshrynk]

You are at a party and there is grand staircase at one end of the room where people enter the party. A man of of some great importance and haughty bearing appeares at the top of the stairs. He is well revered, yet feared by many. He steps forward to enter the room and trips, falling down the stairs. He continues to tumble. He is really taking a pratfall, severely injuring his dignity. People are laughing nervously at the site. He continues to fall and now people are laughing uproariously at this arrogant man's literal and figurative fall. He comes to rest at the bottom of the stairs. He is dead.

If you know when the scene went from funny to tragic, then you understand comedy.