Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Callback

The Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Callback.

The term “callback” is one used in stand-up comedy. Here is the Wikipedia entry:

A callback, in terms of comedy, is a joke which refers to one previously told in the set. The second joke is often presented in a different context than the one which was used in the initial joke. Callbacks are usually used at or near the end of a set, as the aim is to create the biggest laugh at the end of a comic set. The main principle behind the callback is to make the audience feel a sense of familiarity with the subject matter, as well as with the comedian. It helps to create audience rapport. When the second joke is told, it induces a feeling similar to that of being told a personal or in-joke.

An associated bit is “running gag”:

A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling.

In The Pirates of the Caribbean series, the word “parlay” is called back multiple times, not only in The Curse of the Black Pearl, but if memory serves correct, in all of the movies.

Our challenge this week: To come up with 7 great examples of a callback. Feel free to expand it to a running gag. By the way, the line doesn’t have to be humorous witness this callback line from Casablanca:

The usual drill:

* Copy/paste dialogue from IMDb Quotes or some other transcript source.

* Copy/paste the URL of an accompanying video from YouTube or some other video source.

I’d also ask you to think about why the dialogue is notable. Is there anything about the dialogue which provides some takeaway related to the craft of writing? If so, feel free to lay that wisdom on us.

Our upcoming schedule of Daily Dialogue topics:

August 24-August 30: Hysterics
August 31-September 6: Monologue
September 7-September 13: Betrayal
September 14-September 20: Minimum Words, Maximum Impact
September 21-September 27: Depression
September 28-October 4: Opening Line
October 5-October 11: Rivalry
October 12-October 18: Cross Dressing
October 19-October 25: Selflessness
October 26-November 1: Embarrassment

If you have some Daily Dialogue themes to add to the roster, be my guest to post in comments. But be sure to post your ideas for this week’s theme: Callback.

Thanks to all you loyal Daily Dialoguers! You rock!

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