# Anti-Hilarity Video Campaigns The Fred Armisen 'Be Serious for 30 Seconds' Gag is Excellent By Jennifer Gosnell | Published 2012-06-01 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fred-armisen-be-serious References: [laughingsquid](http://laughingsquid.com/be-serious-for-30-seconds-a-participatory-project-by-fred-armisen/) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C3jg9HwCJjM) The Fred Armisen 'Be Serious for 30 Seconds' video campaign by the funny SNL actor is an endeavor to encourage some serious thought. The funnyman is spearheading this [anti-comedy joking campaign](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-rewards-program) that should hopefully produce some comic gold. While laughing, smiling and "irony" are off limits, that doesn't rule out some unintended hilarious moments from the [serious respondents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-face-makes-scents-campaign). In his own serious 30-second clip, Armisen shows what he means by serious. The slightly awkward, hilariously dramatic, serious 30-second clip incorporates all his rules for the video -- cutting to an object, dramatic pauses and door-slamming. The Fred Armisen Be Serious for 30 Seconds campaign is open to anyone with a [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mint-mobile-mintfomercial) account. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.3/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 1% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Serious Video Campaigns:** Opportunity for brands and influencers to create video campaigns that promote serious and thought-provoking content. - **Joking Taboo:** Emerging trend of encouraging people to take a break from comedy and explore serious and non-ironic content. - **Unintended Hilarity:** Recognition of the potential for unintentional humor in serious and dramatic content, leading to new opportunities for comedic moments. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Digital Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity to create serious and impactful video campaigns for brands across various online platforms. - **Entertainment:** Opportunity for comedians and entertainers to explore a new genre of serious content and showcase their versatility. - **Social Media:** Emerging trend of promoting serious video campaigns on social media platforms, providing an opportunity for engagement and meaningful discussions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Humorous Fun-Forward Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/six-flags.md) - [Comprehensive Humor-Based Toolkits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humor-based-toolkits.md) - [Humorous Educational Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-investment-fraud.md) - [Humorous Menswear Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-wearhouse.md) - [Comedic Christmas Parodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reinfell-ad.md) - [Nostalgic Long-Form Infomercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mint-mobile-mintfomercial.md) - [Comedic Gameshow Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-vibe-is-right.md) - [Comedian-Backed Razor Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bic-easyrinse-razor.md) - [Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innocean-berlin.md)