THE EVIDENCE is overwhelming: Pranks are fun to watch.
That’s true when they’re done on regular people, like you might see on Instagram or YouTube, but perhaps even more so when the target is a fictional character you love, hate or love to hate.
Actors can simply convey the comedy of finding your stapler encased in Jell-O or, as in one memorable example from the film “Neighbors,” sitting on an airbag, better than your average coworker.
(In the last instance, a healthy digital effects budget also helps.)