Types of Comedic Social Videos

See also Sketch Comedy Structures

Short-form platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have their own set of repeatable comic patterns. They’re designed for speed — both in creation and in how quickly a viewer ‘gets it’. Many overlap with traditional sketch comedy, but the short runtime means setups are stripped down and punchlines arrive fast.

Trending Challenges

Joining in on a popular platform-wide challenge, often tied to a specific song, dance, or visual format. The fun is in how you put your own spin on something people have already seen many times.

Exaggerated Observation

Taking a relatable moment or behaviour and pushing it beyond reality. Works best when it’s instantly recognisable and needs no setup.

Lip-Sync Comedy

Miming along to popular songs, film quotes, or viral soundbites — then adding an unexpected layer through acting, staging, or visual gags.

Character Showcase

A bite-sized glimpse of a strong, exaggerated character. Often part of a recurring series where the character’s quirks build over time.

Parody of Tropes

Spoofing familiar storytelling conventions, genres, or clichés. The brevity demands a quick, clear signal of what’s being parodied.

Point-of-View (POV)

Filmed as if the viewer is inside the scene — for example, “POV: You’re my boss on your first day.” Works well when the perspective instantly reveals the joke.

Escalation

Starts with a simple situation and cranks it up fast. In short-form, you often get three rapid beats, each bigger than the last.

Rug Pull

Sets up one thing and then flips it in the final seconds. Because attention spans are short, the twist needs to hit hard and clean.

Subverting Tropes

Begins like a familiar setup but pivots away from the expected outcome. The faster the flip, the funnier it lands.

Role Reversal

Characters swap their usual roles or behaviours — for instance, the customer acting like the barista, or a child parenting the parent.

Advert

A faux-commercial for a ridiculous product or service. Leans on quick pacing, overblown claims, and visual exaggeration.

Duets / Collaborations

Replying to or building on someone else’s video. The humour comes from the interaction between the original and your added spin.

Quick Tips / How-To

A rapid-fire tutorial format, except the “advice” is useless, absurd, or sarcastic.

Comparative / Contrast

Side-by-side comparisons to show the difference between two approaches, people, or outcomes — often exaggerating for comedic effect.

Absurdism

Short, surreal scenarios that reject logic but are played straight. Works well when the strangeness hits immediately.

Cultural Mashup

Blending styles, references, or traditions from different cultures for comedic collision.

What-If Scenario

A fast exploration of an alternate reality or tiny change with big consequences.

Stereotype Subversion

Setting up a familiar stereotype and then undercutting it in one sharp move.

Slice of Life

A quick, relatable moment from daily life. Often low-stakes but instantly recognisable.

Parody of New Context (Mapping)

Dropping a familiar idea or character into an unexpected setting — e.g., “Shakespeare tries online dating” in 12 seconds.

Historical Reimagining

A lightning-fast take on a historical figure or event, often with modern slang or attitudes.

Competition

A mini contest with an over-the-top or ridiculous outcome.

Genre Mash-up

Colliding two genres in a single short — e.g., a cooking video filmed like a horror trailer.