But such 'action replay' can have a far more serious undertone.

A serious undertone can be a positive association for fashion, he said.

But the book also has a serious though not solemn undertone.

It's a very different kind of comedy, with serious undertones.

Under the frothy festivities of the evening, there were some serious undertones.

The serious undertone of the events could not be disregarded.

Although the works are humorous, they sometimes cover a more serious undertone.

She spoke in a teasing way, yet he thought he detected a serious undertone.

On Broadway, the play was a comedy with serious undertones.

Generally, it is a humorous speech with a serious undertone and/or an actual point.