In reading through Gunning’s explanation of the mischief gag, I found myself thinking about the formula that SNL uses in many of their skits. Gunning’s description of the gag as seemingly somewhat predictable, with the first phase being the “preparatory action undertaken with precise aim in view,” the result of which is imaginable by the audience, matches the SNL formula perfectly of a repetitive gag that leaves the audience expecting the outcome and laughing along with the sketch (Gunning, 90).
This can be analyzed through the SNL re-occurring skit of the program’s 47th season, Angelo. The skit, featuring Aristotle Athari who left after a season at SNL and was, in this author’s opinion, criminally underrated, is described as “A couple on a date enjoys a performance from a sensational improv duo” (SNL). Cecily Strong’s character sets the scene by establishing the prominence of Angelo to Daniel Craig’s character, who is unaware of what to expect during the performance. She says, “apparently all he needs is just one word, and songs just flow out of him” (SNL 00:33-00:35). It becomes clear over the course of the sketch that Angelo is no mastermind, and for every word Daniel Craig proposes, Angelo simply sings the exact same thing, ending each time with the tagline, “tonight,” and, “thank you for this” (SNL 01:22-01:28).
Here we could suppose that Angelo takes the role of the “rascal,” the actor undertaking the preparatory action, while Craig becomes the willing victim over the course of the sketch as he continuously plays into Angelo’s gimmick even while both us and him know what’s coming next (Gunning 90). The gag is made funny primarily because of the repetitive nature of the mischief gag, which is the case in many reoccurring SNL sketches — the outcome is predictable by the audience, as we know what’s going to happen because it’s happened before, and the absurdity that it might happen again makes for a great bit.
Gunning, Tom. “Crazy Machines in the Garden of Forking Paths.” Classical Hollywood Comedy. Edited by Kristine Brunovska Karnick, Henry Jenkins, 1st ed., Routledge, 1994.
“Angelo – SNL” YouTube, uploaded by SNL, 17 Oct. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lE7ZHDzeeU
Very glad to see this sketch come up as it was one of my favorites of season 47. I think your analysis of it as a mischief gag is very insightful. I think, in addition to the original premise, the punchline of Daniel Craig throwing out the wildly complicated “mesothelioma” as a prompt being the only word they manage to say correctly solidifies the sort of rascal/victim dynamic by showing that they do, in fact, have some understanding of the prompts and simply don’t accept anything else. I also find it interesting that this is framed using art and performance, possibly a slight at people who think that art/comedy is magically generated with any kind of prompt?