I was watching an interview with Jim Carrey (I think) and they talked about how comedy opens the way to people's hearts and, once in there, you can do much more emotion-wise, since the audience will have a closer empathic relation with the character. This empathy created by comedy and silliness brings us closer to each other, and we end up experiencing each others pains more vividly.

The safeword is "Roll constitution saving throw"

5 leeches? we can handle that!
Oh nvm