"He fell over! He fell over!" goes up the mocking chant from the stands as yet another Saturday idol lands sprawling on the turf to the merriment of the opposition support. It's a good laugh when someone takes a public tumble - so long as it's not one of your own; or, more importantly, it's not you! Footballers, if recent suggestions are to be believed, are not noted for their ability to stay on their feet even when equipped with the latest high-tech, studded footwear especially, it seems, when in the penalty area. Perhaps they get dizzy when so near the goal. What is clear is that people (that is to say 'other people') slipping, tripping and falling over is portrayed as being funny. We only have to watch some of the TV out-take programmes to see how amusing accidental falls are perceived to be. A high proportion of the clips shown on the home video and TV/film 'blooper' comedy showcase shows consists of just this, people taking a tumble, coming a cropper and it's all for our amusement. Slips and trips are funny. Aren't they?
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