I really struggled when trying to come up with something that related to Gunning and/or Crafton’s arguments thus found myself scouting around my room, (gave up on the library earlier today luckily in this case) finding the not one but two X Files boxsets and, slightly lower the X Files book on my bookcase. This seems rather apt as within previous years seminars it became a bit of a gag that I would bring up X Files so might as well get it over with in week one this semester. The show is, to those who are unfamiliar, often a comedy. The absurd nature lends itself well to self-deprecation of the genre. One episode Hollywood A.D. (season 7, episode 19) leans into this. Creating its own satire by taking the form of a film, following the characters of Mulder and Scully who solve the mystery alongside the creation of the filming of this meta film. The gag doesn’t fit into the typical “rascal” “victim” set up in the typical sense, Scully doesn’t get hit over the head with any alien bones. What does happen is that the actress playing her in the film in the show asks her how she runs in her heels, this creates a “predatory action.” Scully then follows her impersonator for lack of a better word to the background of the shot while Mulder converses with the actor portraying him about which way he dresses. This conversation is comedic in an awkward sense but made all the funnier due to Scully running up and down the length of the set behind them. Even when the camera angle changes the clacking of the heels is still head. This not only adds a silly tempo to the men’s conversation but emphasises the fact that she, and women across film and television are so often seen running in ridiculous heels.
Linking back to Gunning’s phases and actions, this obviously means there is a second phase action. It isn’t as in your face as many consequences but adds to the overall comedic effect of not only the scene but the show. The “rascal” ignores Scully talking a phone call instead. Thus, Scully is running in heels for nothing. Ignored and never acknowledged. this small bit follows Gunning’s theories to an extent, but I think relates to his comment “The point here is that such inversions are possible only through the gag’s deceptive assimilation of narrative form.” Now whenever Scully is seen running one (or at least I am) is reminded pf this small self-aware bit.
It is not great quality but here’s a visual because that is what this is all about- https://youtu.be/BSbPdnlwg30?si=2ahLF0hovrVdvP2-
Great way of thinking outside the box by identifying a comic gag that differs considerably from the mundane narrative of this X-Files clip! This example is very reminiscent of the early mischief films that Gunning references, as the combined use of a visual and audial detour
accurately resembles his theory of the disruptive force being an essential contributor to conventional narratives.
Great connection to Gunning’s theories. The meta humor in Hollywood A.D. exemplifies slapstick’s evolution, and Scully’s running gag truly shows the absurd expectations placed on women in film. Also– great clip. I love old comedy.