Game

In comedy, the game is the central comic idea - a pattern of behaviour, reaction or situation that feels unusual, recognisable and repeatable.

It’s the thing everyone’s laughing at - the “what’s funny” of the scene. Often derived from the Shiny thing.

🧠 You know there’s a game when...

• Something strange happens - and keeps happening.

• We start to expect it - and then get surprised again.

• The behaviour gets bigger, weirder or more committed with each beat.

🧪 Example

In a clown bit, a character bows every time someone makes eye contact with them.

• That’s a weird behaviour.

• They keep doing it - that's the pattern.

• They start bowing to chairs, to birds, to their own reflection - the game is escalating.

🎭 Game isn’t just for improv and sketch

Though the term comes from improv and sketch comedy, game is at the heart of clown, stand-up, physical comedy and even silent film. If there’s a pattern of funny that builds over time - you’re playing the game.