The idea of the "brain wearing pants" in comedy stems from the concept of the comedic tension between the logical, reasoning mind and the more primal, emotional impulses that come from the body. It's often used as a metaphor to express the struggle between intellect and instinct that can be found within all of us, and how it can lead to humor.
Essentially, the brain represents our higher cognitive functions, such as problem-solving, creativity, language, and planning. It's what makes us human and separates us from other animals. The pants, on the other hand, represent our animalistic urges – appetite, libido, fear, aggression, etc. They are the proverbial underpants that we sometimes let show in moments of vulnerability or weakness.
In comedy, this dynamic is often exaggerated for comedic effect. Comedians will use jokes and observations that play off the tension between these two forces, highlighting our absurd and often contradictory nature. For example, a comedian might make light of the fact that we have evolved to crave fatty, high-calorie foods, even though we know they're bad for us. Or, they might poke fun at our tendency to get nervous or shy around attractive people, even though we're fully aware that there's no rational reason for it.
One classic example of the "brain wearing pants" in comedy comes from the Marx Brothers, who frequently used physical slapstick and absurdity to caricature the social mores of their time. In their 1930 film, Animal Crackers, Groucho Marx famously quips: "I've got the brain of a four-year-old. I'll bet he was glad to be rid of it."
More recently, comedians like Louis CK and Bo Burnham have incorporated the same metaphor in their routines, identifying with the struggle of trying to balance their own intellectual tendencies with the urge to be silly, vulgar, or irreverent. This tension can create a unique brand of humor that is both smart and yet grounded in our most primitive impulses.
Ultimately, the "brain wearing pants" in comedy serves as a reminder that we are complicated, multi-faceted beings, capable of both great intelligence and great folly. By exploring this dichotomy through humor, comedians help us laugh at ourselves and see the absurdity in our everyday lives.