Comedy: August 22, 2012 Issue [#5223]
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Comedy


 This week: Being Funny
  Edited by: Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I got attention by being funny at school, pretending to be retarded, and jumping around with a deformed hand.
         -Leonardo DiCaprio

I think being funny is not anyone's first choice.
         -Woody Allen

I got a lot of support from my parents. That's the one thing I always appreciated. They didn't tell me I was being stupid; they told me I was being funny.
         -Jim Carrey


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Being Funny


The thing about comedy is a duck.

No, no, that's not right. The thing about comedy is a lot like skill at math, video games or poker: some people got it and some people don't.

It's not the end of the world if you don't have what it takes. It may feel like the world is passing you by, but just ignore the feeling - it's just the world passing you by.

It's especially okay if you're female; when they ask men and women what qualities each seeks in the other, straight women and gay men invariably list "a sense of humor." This is obviously false, however, because if a sense of humor were all it takes, I'd have a harem instead of cats. Y'all should be honest and say "a sense of humor and a Lamborghini." On the other side, though, when asked what qualities they seek in women, straight men and gay women invariably list "boobs." Except for gay women, who say "political awareness," which as we all know contraindicates a sense of humor.

Q: How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: That is NOT FUNNY.

Anyway, as with music, it can be taught, to some extent. I know a few chords on the guitar, but that doesn't make me Eric Clapton. I can tell a few jokes, and I'm funnier than Adam Sandler. See how it works?

Work at it, if you don't think you have it. Find people who will support your hobby, instead of your family, who will claim you were adopted. (I actually WAS adopted, so I had an excuse. Don't look at me like that; at least I know I wasn't an accident - can you say the same?)

Practice, practice, practice. Get used to cleaning tomato juice from your clothing. There's a reason comedians wear old clothes, you know. Oh, wait, that's because no one appreciates us and we can't afford new threads.

Keep working at it and one day, someone will laugh and tell you you're funny. At which point you can celebrate inside, but keep a straight face, look at them and say, "Thanks, but I know looks aren't everything."


Editor's Picks

Something funny:

 "A Poet I Am Not" Open in new Window. [ASR]
A stupid little poem.
by MikeyTN Author Icon


 Life of a Retail Manager Open in new Window. [E]
The title says it all
by SilkAngel Author Icon


 
Image Protector
Technologically Challenged Open in new Window. [13+]
After a talk with my dad, I realized I could never be a computer support person.
by audra_branson Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Tales of an answering machine Open in new Window. [13+]
First thing when he comes home, Victor always checks his messages...
by bobfive Author Icon


 Antonio The Barman Open in new Window. [13+]
An ode to Antonio who likes his drink (a lot)!
by Lapython Author Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Last time, in "Comedy Newsletter (July 25, 2012)Open in new Window., I talked about things we shouldn't laugh at, but do.

Fi Author Icon: Great newsletter! Inappropriate jokes? Racism for me and my family! Yikes, we laugh at everything from Maoris and Australians to Asians and Americans - sorry to all those Yanks out there! *Laugh*

         Newzie, eh? So, how's the sheep and kids? *Smirk*


Being Diane Author Icon: I'm really always the one getting laughed at in the long or short run of life. Speaking of 9/11 it certainly wasn't funny but on that day I spent the night with my Mother and we are watching the news when it takes place. My quiet, smart Mother says nothing just a terrible blank kind of why sadness. Her big mouth daughter, me, says, "I knew Ronald Reagan shouldn't have gotten involved with the air traffic controllers' union. This nation was built on unions, Mom. See there they are so tired from the long work hours just look what happened!"
Mom with her deadly words says, "Diane, you are never going to learn about life. You are 50+ years old and don't realize it's going to be wartime!"


         Don't let little things like being right or wrong get in the way of a good joke *Bigsmile*


Chewie Kittie Author Icon: The day after my dad died unexpectedly and tragically, my mom, husband and I were in the funeral home making arrangements to have his body shipped from CO to TX for the funeral there. The funeral director was outlining our options. Dad had a coffin already in TX paid for, etc, we just needed him shipped. So the director says, essentially, no problem (only in nice funeral director words). What they would do was ship his body in a styrofoam shipping container.

Although I'd been crying non-stop, I suddenly got the giggles and Mom asked why. I said, "Cause they are shipping Dad back to TX in an oversized beer cooler." Then she got the giggles and we couldn't quit. It put the funeral director off of us for some reason. My husband had to finish the arrangements. *Laugh*


         That's actually quite funny. Throw in some fishing rods and maybe a television and you've got most American men covered.


LJPC - the tortoise Author Icon: Hi Robert!
I enjoyed your newsletter, particularly the very funny ending. I must admit to more than my share of "inappropriate laughter." I have a special place in my heart for irony and black comedy. *Smirk*
~ Laura


         Oh, me too, me too!


Mummsy Author Icon [re the previous month's newsletter about bad movies]: Following up on last month's comment . . . http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098404/ *Bigsmile*

         That... really does look like the worst movie ever. I suppose some hipsters had to vote it positive to be ironic.

And that's it for me for August! Until next month, stay cool and...

LAUGH ON!!!

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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