[6] Evidence of the original forms is scarce, primarily found in the depictions of scenes and characters on ancient vases.
[6] Surviving titles indicate that the Atellana or short sketches were meant to entertain the audience on holidays and market days.
[11] We can also surmise that the plots of the sketches included ridiculous situations consisting of puns, horseplay and riddles of a vulgar and crude nature.
The performers were the sons of Roman citizens who were allowed to serve in the army: professional actors were excluded.
The simple prose dialogues were supplemented by songs in Saturnian metre, the common language, accompanied by lively gesticulation.
[6] Taken from Tacitus (Annals, Book 14): "...after various and often fruitless complaints from the praetors, the emperor Tiberius finally brought forward a motion about the licentious behavior of the players.
"They had often," he said "sought to disturb the public peace, and to bring disgrace on private families, and the old Oscan farce, once a wretched amusement for the vulgar, had become at once so indecent and popular, that it must be checked by the Senate's authority.
In the 20s AD, the growth in popularity and revival of the Atellan plays was met with the disapproval of an older generation of patricians and senators.
[31] Due to the outlandish nature and brevity that the Atellan Farces are believed to have, they are comparable to the sketches that one would see on a variety show such as Saturday Night Live or Whose Line Is It Anyway?
[32] Such as in popular television shows as Saturday Night Live and Whose Line Is It Anyway, they would include adult content and done for the entertainment of others.