Date of Graduation
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Reed College of Media
Department
Reed College of Media
Committee Chair
Steve Urbanski
Committee Co-Chair
Bob Britten
Committee Member
Tracy Morris
Committee Member
Jeffrey Moser
Abstract
Purpose -- The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of humor styles used in an original British television show and its adapted U.S. version.;Methodology -- A total of 28 episodes from the UK and U.S. version of the television sitcom The Office were classified under the four humor styles described by Martin et al. (2003).;Findings -- Humor styles used in television sitcoms significantly differ between the two countries. The UK uses more aggressive and self-defeating humor than the U.S., while affiliative humor is the predominant humor style found in the U.S. and is used more frequently when compared to the UK.;Practical Implications -- The findings reveal that cultural and personality differences should be taken into consideration when adapting television shows from one country to another.
Recommended Citation
McKinney, Rachael A., "The Role of Reculturalization in Adaptation: A Comparison of Humor Styles in the UK and U.S. Versions of "The Office"" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6201.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6201
