The Power of Laughter: Emotional and Ideological Gratification in Media

Abilio Almeida () and Helena Sousa
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Abilio Almeida: Communication and Society Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Helena Sousa: Communication and Society Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

Societies, 2024, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: This study examines the role of laughter in media content, focusing on traditional non-humorous entertainment talk shows with hosts, guests and a studio audience. The analysis, which documents over 20,000 instances of laughter in just 60 episodes (one laugh every 20 s), highlights the central role of laughter in this reality. The study concludes that: (1) hosts laughed more than guests and studio audiences; (2) in the programmes analysed, female hosts generated almost twice as much laughter as male hosts; (3) laughter followed a recognisable ‘U-shaped’ pattern, peaking at the beginning and end of the programme; (4) jokes with sexual connotations elicited the highest levels of laughter; (5) public service episodes had fewer instances of laughter; and (6) the programme with the host who laughed the most had the largest audience. In conclusion, laughter provides not only emotional, but also ideological gratification, based on the (post)modern concept of happiness.

Keywords: laughter; emotions; media; entertainment; talk shows; audience; postmodernity; happiness; gratifications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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