Corpsing

This week's Saturday Night Live had clips during the commercial breaks of old shows where actors or weekly hosts cracked up and just could NOT stop laughing.

This happens to everyone: something funny happens or sometimes just jumps into your head at an inappropriate time and you have to physically restrain yourself from cracking up. Sometimes even that doesn't help and you just break up with laughter anyway.

The SNL clips reminded me of what British actors call "corpsing" named for the practice of trying to make your live costar laugh while he or she was playing a corpse. For a few good clips on corpsing from the TV show Extras, check out this clip and then this clip. If you are still ready for more, check out these TV corpsing moments. (Particularly good example at 8:50 who finally has to slap himself in the face around 10:00)

Just don't watch them at work, or you may not be able to stifle your amusement.

Corpsing

Cadaverous roles
Often can't include wriggling.
Realistically playing dead
Probably means no giggling.
Still when that funny thing gets
Into your head
Nothing is harder than
Going on like you're dead.