I seem to remember that traumatic events that happen at a certain age can cause teenagers to use humour/sarcasm to cover up their feelings. Its similar to Disassociation. Someone can correct me but I think its a known trend seen in pre-teenage males whose parents divorce... Way out on a limb there so shoot me down if that's not correct but I remember hearing it somewhere. The gaping void I used above was an extreme exaggeration of course but the best comedy (for me) comes from a dark place. I think if you interviewed some of the funniest comedians you would find that many suffer with some form of depression. Its the gallows humour, the desperation, the frustration that hits home with people. Slapstick doesn't have the same range. That's pretty interesting though isn't it. A tragic event can result in someone who uses humour to cover their inner hurt, which in itself is tragic. Its like the circle of life.