This paper sheds light on the workings of impoliteness as a source of disaffiliative humour in fictional interactions in films, series and serials designed for their viewers (dubbed “recipients”). A number of postulates are proposed against the backdrop of humour theory, as well as the research done on impoliteness. Based on a detailed survey of the relevant literature, it is argued that the incongruity theory of humour gives the best insight into the workings of humorous impoliteness from a linguistic perspective, while the disposition account, subscribing to superiority theory, indicates how the disaffiliative potential of humour contributes to mirthful pleasure on the viewer’s part.