In the
Commedia dell'Arte,
actors would perform repeated
comic routines called lazzi. The lazzi were
unique to each
character (although not to each
acting troupe) yet common enough to be
recognizable. They could be a comic
phrase or physical
gesture; the desired result was always a
laugh from the
audience. For example, the character
Arlecchino the servant (aka
Harlequin) would stand behind a speaker and move his arms
dramatically (in place of the speaker's own arms) in response to what was being said; this
technique is often used today in comic
improv (e.g.
Whose Line is it Anyway?)
The most well-known example of lazzi today are seen on The Simpsons. Homer's "D'oh!" and Dr. Nick's "Hi, everybody!" are good examples of verbal lazzi. Examples of physical lazzi include Barney's burp and Mr. Burns's "exxxxcelent" motion. Actions such as these still achieve comic effect after ten seasons because they are the well-known lazzi that have come to define the comedy in their characters.