The backhanded compliment for comedic effect

April 27, 2008 6:36 PM

Can you think of any comedy sketches or scenes where a single character uses repeated backhanded compliments directed towards others for comedic effect? That is, scenes where the comedy comes from the secondary character not being sure whether they were just insulted or praised and not knowing how to respond. I'm thinking of something along the lines of SNL, Kids in the Hall or Monty Python sketches, but I am open to any such examples.
posted by iamisaid to media & arts (11 comments total)

Kids in the Hall, Dave Foley had a character called "Sarcastic Guy" who did exactly that. "Oh, I really want to be friends with you....."
posted by Lokheed at 6:41 PM on April 27

There was a Monty Python sketch where two characters talking to an aristocrat took turns inventing outrageously insulting quotes that the other was supposed to have said. The second guy would have to stammer to come up with a way to spin the insult into something positive.
Something like:

A: Sir Pincybottom here was just saying that your excellency is like a festering sore that blossoms on the rump of a syphilitic whore.

Aristocrat, angrily, to Pincybottom: And what do you mean by that?

Pincybottom: What...I mean to say...is that your excellency is a splash of bright color that brings joy to the drabbest of environments.

I'm sure there are Python fans better versed in the lexicon than I am who could tell you the name of the actual sketch.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:07 PM on April 27

Scenes between Peter Sellers and James Mason in the Kubrick "Lolita."
posted by grumblebee at 7:09 PM on April 27

Here's the Kids in the Hall sketch Lokheed mentioned.
posted by sjthomp at 7:14 PM on April 27

hydrophonic refers to the Oscar Wilde sketch (video), one of my favorites!
posted by Khalad at 7:18 PM on April 27

Kevin Nealon as Mr. Subliminal on SNL
posted by Dr. Lurker at 7:23 PM on April 27

Fawlty Towers: When Basil (referring to Manuel) says, "He's from Barcelona" he gets a laugh because the audience knows he's being insulting.
When Manuel says, "I am from Barcelona" he gets a laugh because he is obviously proud of the fact, and it produces a cognitive dissonance.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 7:32 PM on April 27

Passive-Aggressive Pam on SNL - although the victim does realize she's being insulted.

(I'm pretty sure it was "thrift store look", not "brick store look")
posted by O9scar at 7:44 PM on April 27

The Monty Python bit is the Oscar Wilde Sketch.

Whistler: Your Highness, you are also like a stream of bat's piss.
Prince: What?
Whistler: It was one of Wilde's. One of Wilde's.
Oscar: It sodding was not! It was Shaw!
Shaw: I ... I merely meant, Your Majesty, that you shine out like a shaft of gold when all around is dark.
Prince: (accepting the compliment) Oh.
posted by zippy at 12:40 AM on April 28

Seems to me there were several scenes like that between Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington on Yes, Minister, but darned if I can think of a specific scene.
posted by Koko at 7:48 AM on April 28

According to th' wife:

"I can't remember my mefi password, and the no 1 queen of the
backhanded compliment is Dame Edna. So I'm telling you, instead. :)

To paraphrase: 'That's such a lovely frock, dear. I think I have
curtains in that material.'"

I'll add that The Dame Edna Experience is on DVD and is absolutely loaded with these kinds of lines. My favorite is her complimenting Jane Seymour on having had "several successful marriages."
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:35 AM on April 28