The straight man/funny man sketch is a classic comedy bit that typically involves two characters in an absurd conversation. One character is serious and trying to have a regular conversation. The other is a fool who continues to misunderstand the other character's meaning, leading to frustration. These misunderstandings also may lead to funny wordplay. The famous sketch "Who's on First?" by Abbott and Costello is an archetypal example of this type of sketch comedy.
Sketches can be satirical versions of serious drama or events. This type of skit is common today, especially on "Saturday Night Live." It relies on the audience's knowledge of the material being spoofed. Tina Fey's portrayal of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin during the 2008 election campaign is one example of a spoof. It sought to draw on humor found in Palin's answers to reporters. Another example is the "MacGruber" skit from "Saturday Night Live," which played on the popular "MacGyver" television series from the 1980s.
A sketch can derive humor from a seemingly normal situation that escalates until it is out of control. The audience laughs at being surprised at how established logic is taken to illogical extremes. One example would be an argument between two characters about how poor they are. It might start with each character trying to top the other by commenting on his or her lack of a job or money. The sketch quickly escalates into exaggeration, with the characters making absurd claims such as, "I'm so poor, I can't afford free samples."
A comedic sketch also can play on a person or thing taken out of its regular context. An example of this sketch might take a historical figure and place him or her in present times. Seeing Abraham Lincoln attempting to understand a current presidential election could serve as the focus of the sketch. This type of sketch also can work in reverse by taking someone or something modern and placing it in a historical setting.