A man is walking down the street, tripping, falling awkwardly, his hands and legs cast apart, his suitcase opened, papers out, his hat is hanging on the tree, his pants are torn.

There is no background story. This is abstract and funny.

Or take this: the same man is having a fight with his wife, they curse and shout, then one of them trips, falls awkwardly, hands and legs cast apart, everything around falls too.

There is some background story already. This is less abstract. But still funny.

Alright, now take this: our hero is in Iraq, trying to save the life of a bomb explosion victim, making his way through debris and ruins. He trips and falls awkwardly, his hands and legs cast apart, I bet his pants are torn. Would you still laugh?