Naked People Are Funny: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

[[File:nakedtime.jpg|link=Potter Puppet Pals|frame| Boy, it's a good thing people know these are hand puppets, other wise this would be the pic for [[The Pornomancer]]]]

 

Nudity is one of the last great taboos, particularly in the United States. Whereas it's OK to show violence, blood, and to a certain extent "hate speech" on TV, a tiny bit of nudity will cause an outright scandal. Just ask [[Wardrobe Malfunction|Janet Jackson and her "nip slip"]], which got more attention then the show she was putting on at the time, despite its sexually suggestive content that some say bordered on sexual assault by her co-star.

** If a character disrobes at a beach and neither a sign clearly saying "Nude Beach" nor other nude people are visible, it will turn out that it is not, in fact, a nude beach. The character either went to the wrong beach, was misinformed (maybe it ''used'' to be a nude beach), or just assumed it was a nude beach (most likely because they're tourists who think all the beaches in whatever country they're in are clothing-optional, or because they're from a country where (in the writers' imaginations) all the beaches ''are'' clothing optional). Although, again, some [[Truth in Television]] to this, as the United States is almost unique<ref>The only other similar country is China</ref> without even a single legally protected clothing optional beach. Every Nude Beach in the US is instead politely ignored by the local authorities, and not actually legally protected.

 

 

For specific examples of Nudity as humor, see:

 

Contrast [[Full-Frontal Assault]]. For "Hollywood Nudism", see [[Innocent Fanservice Girl]] (''Clueless'' about the Nudity Taboo) and / or [[Shameless Fanservice Girl]] (Doesn't ''Care'' about the Nudity Taboo). Has [[I Thought It Meant|nothing to do with]] a nudity-oriented ''People Are Funny''.

 

* [[Go Nagai]] surely is the earliest example in manga. He started the trend with ''[[Harenchi Gakuen]]'' and he used the trope in most of his works: ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' (in one episode several characters strip themselves for not apparent reason), ''[[Cutey Honey]]'', ''[[Devilman]]'' (sometimes), ''[[Dororon Enma-kun]]'', ''[[Kekko Kamen]]''...

* A running gag in ''[[Maicchingu Machiko Sensei]]'' is that Machiko ends up naked in every episode. No exceptions, and the universe often takes extreme measures to strip her, such as having a box fall in just a way to catch the corner of her dress. Of course, one of her students also loves to intentionally strip her, expose her panties for her by flipping up her dress, and occasionally outright grope her (as a way of saying hello). All of these are played as a [[Running Gag]]. The title word, Maicchingu, refers to the pose she makes after losing her clothing, and it's played up for as much [[Fan Service]] as possible (for a early 1980s TV series). It's such a part of the series that they included it in the opening title sequence. The big catch? [[Maicchingu Machiko Sensei]] is a kids show, she's an elementary school teacher, and so her students are all around 8 years old. Oh, and it played on Japanese TV, rather completely subverts [[Barbie Doll Anatomy]], and was aimed squarely at kids the age of Machiko's class.

** After losing most of her powers, Haruna's [[Magical Girl|Masou Shoujo]] clothes have a tendency to suddenly disappear.

* Otawara of ''[[Eyeshield 21]]'' has a hard time keeping his pants on, and his underwear either goes with them or [[Going Commando|was never there in the first place]]. Prepare to see a lot of his bare butt in this series.

 

== [[Comic Books]] ==

* In ''[[Catwoman (comics)|Catwoman]]: When In Rome'', DC anti-heroine Selina Kyle is forced to jump out the window completely naked when her hotel room is bombed and survives by landing in the pool in broad daylight, with the Riddler and Italian hitman known as the Blonde landing in the pool with her. The naked and very wet Selina manages to stay in control despite her sexual humiliation being played for laughs.

* At least once in the stories of [[Wilhelm Busch]]. [[Hilarity Ensues]].

 

== Film ==

* The audience is "treated" to Jason Segel's full-frontal privates at the outset ''[[Forgetting Sarah Marshall]]'' ... the shock value of the penis had the audiences howling.

** By extension ([[Incredibly Lame Pun|har har]]), anything even tangentially related to [[Judd Apatow]] is likely going to involve giving the audience a peek at some guy's schlong. Suffice to say that Apatow has [[Accidental Innuendo|a firm grip]] on this trope.

* The titular character in ''[[Life of Brian]]'' makes an accidental naked appearance in front of a crowd that thinks he's the Messiah.

** Something of a subversion: One ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' episode featured a recurring BBC announcement that one channel was showing a debate on censorship between the Bishop of Bristol and a nude man. At one point, the debate is shown, where the nude man argues vehemently that such filth shouldn't be shown on television.

** Then there's also a scene in [[Rush Hour]] where he and Chris Tucker don't reach the same nakedness level while fighting their rivals in a bath house, but end up thrown out butt naked.

* In ''Da Ali G Movie'', Ali has cuffed both his hands to the railing of his local city hall to protest the closing of his favorite community center. The rival gang takes the opportunity to come by and pull down his pants, as he can't do a damn thing about it. [[It Gets Worse]].

* The bath scene in Disney's ''[[Mulan]]''. Beginning with Mulan nearly getting caught out by three fellow soldiers, continuing with Mulan being completely freaked out by the three ugly naked men in far too close proximity...[[It Got Worse|and then the over-the-top payoff when]], upon lamenting she never wants to see another naked man again, [[Crowning Moment of Funny|the ENTIRE ARMY stampedes nude into the river]].

* ''[[The Rugrats Movie]]'': The scene where Dil pulls down Tommy's diaper showing his behind. His diaper usually slips down while he talks to his friends.

'''The Bowler''': Maybe you should put some shorts on or something, if you want to keep fighting evil today. }}

* ''[[We Were Soldiers]]'', suprisingly enough. There is a delted scene where a soldier tells a story about a previous unit he was in, where their platoon commander, [[Ensign Newbie|fresh out of ROTC]], ordered all of his soldiers to put on all of their decorations so he could see what kind of men he was leading. He particularly gets in the face of the [[Old Soldier|big ugly scarred platoon Sergeant]]. The sergeant returns to the barracks, and comes back wearing ''only'' his combat boots, with his decorations ''[[Exact Words|pinned directly to his chest]]'', and wearing a Medal of Honor. The lieutenant, seeing the medal, is forced to salute the platoon sergeant.

 

== Literature ==

* Though he's not really a nudist, per se, when Zedd shows up in ''[[Sword of Truth|Wizard's First Rule]]'', he's on his Wizard's Rock stark naked; Kahlan reacts with shock, and Richard makes it clear this is a normal thing for him. He later suggests to a sorceress that she try it some time, though this is less about comedy and more about Zedd being a horny old man.

* When [[Codex Alera|Invidia Aquitaine]] is supremely [[Out-Gambitted]] by Amara, the latter leaves the former tied up naked in a forest, because: "The poisonous bitch deserved it." And she really does.

* In ''[[Redwall|Martin the Warrior]]'', the [[Big Bad]] Badrang cuts a random minion's belt when he finds himself needing a rope. The belt was holding up the kilt which was the only thing said minion was wearing, and he ends up with his fellow soldiers and the whole slave line laughing at him. Since they have fur, this [[Half-Dressed Cartoon Animal|may not be as big a deal as usual]].

{{quote|'''Wes''': "I have ''so'' been set up."}}

 

* There is actually a show from the Ukraine called "Naked and Funny", which is a hidden camera show in the style of ''[[Candid Camera]]'', but often featuring public nudity played for laughs. It's also one of the many reasons to love Europe.

* ''[[Baywatch]]'' did this once, with the requisite random Baywatch girl who suddenly remembered she was really interested in this kind of stuff, even defending their rights against another, suitably offended Baywatch girl. Also had the crazy old naked man subtype, as well.

== Music ==

* The [[Ray Stevens]] song "The Streak".

* The video for Blink182's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7l5ZeVVoCA "What's my age again?"]

 

== [[Video Games]] ==

* You get some funny remarks in ''[[Morrowind]]'' when you talk to people naked.

 

* ''[[The Bare Pit]]'' ([[NSFW]] if your workplace objects to naked people, otherwise pretty wholesome), originally titled ''Loxie and Zoot'', is an Australian webcomic that takes place at a nudist resort, now celebrating 10 years of online publication. Completely subverts the majority of the trope, although some of the more obvious storylines (a pervert with a camera, a prude trying to harass the resort, etc) are still used.

** The comic's creator even added his own Naked People Are Funny plot in its [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/thebarepit/thebarepit/series.php?view=single&ID=95066 longest storyline]—or rather, about six of them: A bump to the head causes Loxie's mother (a rather prudish, intolerant woman) to decide to join in. Because her daughter and son-in-law both know full well that once she comes to her senses she will regret it, they do their best to keep her dressed and hidden (and are failing miserably). Right afterwards, Loxie's prudish sister gets stuck at the resort, and upon falling asleep, goes sleepwalking (naked, of course). Loxie's nephews are using their mother's nap to sneak around trying to peep (and are failing miserably). Loxie's niece was suckered by another girl into going naked by wearing a wig to hide her identity (and is failing miserably). Loxie's father and brother in law are sneaking off to fish during all this (and are failing miserably). They most recently lost a "you gotta stay naked" vs "you gotta stay clothed" bet with some regulars, and are currently trying to evade a pissed off emu who isn't happy that they bailed out after losing (and are failing miserably). * phew* . At last count that makes 5 or 6 storylines going on all at once, all destined to fail at the exact same time, Benny Hill style.

* Quentyn, hero of ''[[Tales of the Questor]]'' has some problems keeping his pants on, either having pursuers grab at his clothing or needing to change clothing in a hurry. The humor comes less from [[Half-Dressed Cartoon Animal|the nudity itself]], as it is to various reactions to the matter by the [[Kid Hero]], who's a bit modest around women. The concept is essentially distilled by the time he goes to human territories, where [[Gender Blender Name|Sam]]<s>antha</s> warns Quentyn against peeking while she showers in a near-by bush, even though [[Humans Through Alien Eyes|she's about as interesting as a naked rat to Quentyn]]. Likewise, Quentyn starts to panic when his bath is interrupted by a female maidservant, yet she doesn't think anything of looking at him.

* Played straight in ''[[I Was Kidnapped by Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space]]'' when the captain identifies a birthmark on their new guest. Responses included asking a naked lesbian how she managed to check another woman for birthmarks. She insists it's not important.

* In ''[[Order of the Stick]]'', [[Cloudcuckoolander]] Elan's interpretation of D&D's armor check penalty rules is as follows: If heavy armor makes it harder for you to be stealthy, being naked must make you [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0025.html invisible.]

** To a point, he's right: The men don't want to look at him, and the women are... [[Distracted by the Sexy|distracted]] by his [[Biggus Dickus|"18 charisma"]].

* When loveable megalomaniac and [[Friendly Hostility]] star Collin needs to take a break from his stressful life, he takes boyfriend, slave, and fridge-dwelling demon to the beach. Still unable to relax, Collin strips nude...on a non-nude beach. Those poor nuns....

* It's a bit of a [[Running Gag]] in ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]'' that, as a [[Cute Monster Girl|furry monster,]] Molly gets to parade around completely naked. Her sister Golly, on the other hand, likes clothing.

* Zach Weiner, the author of ''[[Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal]]'', is always naked. ''[http://www.survivingtheworld.net/GuestLecture9.html Always.]''

* ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'' has played with this. An early gag pointed out the problem with nudist camps is lack of quality control. Elsewhere a chapter (and later a book) is titled "Game Called on Account of Naked Chick."

* Used in ''[[Survival of the Fittest]]'' with Sam Sorenson, who spent a good portion of his time on the island running around naked.

{{quote|'''Sam:''' Umm...hi! You see, I was abducted from my nudist cruise and sent here for some comedic purposes with no clothes, I really do need help and no do not worry about my modesty for being a nudist I have gone all my life with people staring at my dingaling! Really, just all bow down before the wrath of Kahn! Kahn!}}

** Oddly enough, the Overseer in his own shape wears clothes.

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==

** Theres also I.B. Red Guy who is a regular on the show, while still keeping his role on ''[[Cow and Chicken]]''. The Red Guy is truly butt naked, for a demon no doubt?

*** His first introduction in the pilot/short: "[[Incoming Ham|HELLOOOOO!!!]] It's ME, the devil!" He only assumes the title "Red Guy" when the show went into full production.

* ''[[Codename: Kids Next Door]]'': Tommy Gilligan was a victim of this trope. In one episode he makes the wrong interpretation of what a birthday suit is, and in another episode, somewhat more deliberately, he's trying to avoid getting a bath.

* ''[[King of the Hill]]'': Hank gets caught in a passing tornado holding his dear life to a telephone pole. His clothes slowly tears off leaving him nude. As the eye passes, he chooses a potted cactus over a Texas flag to cover himself to make his way to the shelter.

* [[Regular Show]] had [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsX4FOegj40 an example] where Pops get a surprise guest (while in the nude).

* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Iroh is seen in a hotspring relaxing. Zuko becomes impatient and tells him to get out and, as Iroh begins to come out, Zuko is disgusted by the sight and tells him to get back in for a few more minutes before leaving. [[Scenery Censor|Zuko's hand censors him.]]

* Although he himself never cracks a smile about it, ''[[Kick Buttowski]]'' ends up naked on the show...so much it's hard to count. This is met with fear, indifference or laughter.

* In the ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]'' short "A Bacon Strip", from the episode "The Acme Acres Zone", Plucky tricks Hamton into skinny-dipping in Montana Max's pool. When Hamton reluctantly does so, Max steals his clothes, and Plucky runs off, lest Max get him in trouble too. Hamton is then forced to make his way home while trying to conceal his nudity. Once he gets there, he finds a surprise birthday party waiting for him.

 

== [[Real Life]] ==

* There exists [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq89kNQLZ1I a police video] wherein two drunk women pulled over by the police proceed to strip naked and play in some nearby sprinklers. Jay Leno later ran it on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', where it was played for laughs.

* In [[Community|Alison Brie's]] college years at the California Institute of Arts, she would cheer up her roommate by pretending to take shower, go to the tree out their window and swing on a tree naked like a monkey.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Nudity Tropes]]

[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]

[[Category:Acceptable Hobby Targets]]

[[Category:Truth in Television]]