How Amusing
As a family we're a fairly amusing lot. When we're not heaving crockery at each other and slamming doors, we can be pretty darned funny. Certainly, we find ourselves entertaining. I can only assume that most of the laughter that comes from our friends is a sincere "golly, gosh that was funny" laughter as opposed to pained "heavens, if it wasn't for the fact that they ply us with food and drink..."
One thing I've figured out about my own humor is that it's more reactive than proactive; which is to say, I don't walk around dripping with bon mot (not to be confused with bon bons, which I sometimes do drip) or instigating high hilarity. I'm not a comedian. But if you say something funny, I'll probably be able to keep the merriment going, a call and response sort of humor, if you will. And, I suspect, if I'm being really, really funny it's because you were funnier to begin with.
I wish I had what it takes to write something like that Colbert thing I linked the other day. Or this bloggy piece by Dick Cavett (who, btw, I just adore with all adoration). Cavett writes like he talks and this piece is classic Cavett: funny, subtle and brilliant.
But to be able to write like that I would have to have a writing partner who started me off and to whom I could respond. Which, let's face it, worked for Nichols and May, for Buddy and Sally. (Hi, this is me, dating myself).
How funny are you? (I know the answer to this; I just want to see what you think).
One thing I've figured out about my own humor is that it's more reactive than proactive; which is to say, I don't walk around dripping with bon mot (not to be confused with bon bons, which I sometimes do drip) or instigating high hilarity. I'm not a comedian. But if you say something funny, I'll probably be able to keep the merriment going, a call and response sort of humor, if you will. And, I suspect, if I'm being really, really funny it's because you were funnier to begin with.
I wish I had what it takes to write something like that Colbert thing I linked the other day. Or this bloggy piece by Dick Cavett (who, btw, I just adore with all adoration). Cavett writes like he talks and this piece is classic Cavett: funny, subtle and brilliant.
But to be able to write like that I would have to have a writing partner who started me off and to whom I could respond. Which, let's face it, worked for Nichols and May, for Buddy and Sally. (Hi, this is me, dating myself).
How funny are you? (I know the answer to this; I just want to see what you think).
Labels: amusing things
cobbled together by Moi at 6:32 AM
19 Comments:
The adoptive lesbian moms and I were having this conversation just the other day. We all consider each other to be fairly funny but in different ways. Bonnie is funny in that she says what others are thinking but are too afraid to say. Fay is funny in the tradition of Jewish humor, amping up reality ever so slightly until it becomes absurd. And I'm funny in that slightly removed, caustic observer sort of way, especially when I'm on a tear, explaining to someone why what they said was the most ridiculous thing ever.
I'm not slapstick funny or Jerry Seinfeld funny. I am quip funny. Wry observations of the world around me, which sometimes only I seem to get. But not that there is anything wrong with that; at least it keeps me amused.
I do not belive I am the least bit funny, however i am very sarcastic. Many people respond to the blunt comments that come out of nowhere at the most innapropreate times with laughter. I often wonder if they find them funny or if I made them so uncomfortable that all they can do is laugh and hope no one has a gun.
Hey How about that Airline food huh?
Hello? hello?
Is this thing on?
I wish I were funnier, I'd love to be funny, but my attempts fall short and I end up with bad puns and jokes that don't work. I don't naturally know funny. Husband, on the other hand, is very funny, one of the reasons I married him. One of his recent quips: Uzbekistan is changing its name to PreviouslyOwnedistan.
Red, it would be really boring if we were all funny in the same way, eh?
KA: "Not that there's anything wrong with that"...laughing now.
Mouse, I respond well to sarcasm. And I don't own a gun.
Sheky, let me guess...you flew all the way from Miami and man, are your 6 little arms tired.
Anne, having a funny spouse is critical. It was one of my criteria.
Oh, this is one of my favorite people tricks to sit in awe and audience for: the running of the bulls of wit.
I start hyperventilating just thinking of it.
A. is sooo good at it, he can do it without me. On the rare occasion that I do snap out something good, he is very very quick to show me who the real master is. So, in general, I've happily accepted my true role.
Stop stalling and start posting pictures of the damn food already.
How's that for funny?
P.S. - You said "crockery." That's a funny word.
Why would I use my legs if I have wings?
You know what I hate about playing Back home?
All my friends in the swarm show up and it sounds like no one is in the audiance.
I think bon mot is plenty funny, missy.
I appreciate where you're coming from, because I'm not in the least bit funny. I'm only funny to my mother and my younger sister, who think I'm hilarious. But they've got too much dirt on me, so they're probably laughing at me, not with me.
I am very funny.
Hilarity abounds in my house....and it smells like kitten farts. I'm just a bundle of fun walking around talking to cats and dogs and myself a lot of the time...I tell great jokes but manage to screw up the punch line which in and of itself is really funny...right?
Booda, people who appreciate wit are as important as those who create it.
JP: Shut up.
And crockery is a good word.
Funny, Shecky, funny.
SCG: I dunno, I think you're pretty funny, too. And I have far less dirt on you. (Dammit).
Yes you are, Hat. Very funny indeed.
You get it from Mama Ro, obviously.
And Rosie, I practically ALWAYS mess up the punchline of jokes. And it can be pretty entertaining.
Okay, now you're just trying to make me feel bad. You KNOW I'm not funny, so why rub it in? I'm going to go get my brother. He'll out funny all of you. So there! (Hands on hips, sticking tongue out at all of you). Harrumph!
We're all laughing at your pouty face, Gina. How do you make your eyes roll like that?
I'm freakin' hysterical- if you appreciate dry humor of the somewhat snarky variety. I'm just more entertaining in person than virtually ;)
And people wonder where the kids got that smartass thing. Yes, obviously their father.
I totally cracked myself up the other day!..but I'd been drinking a little.
I was raised on sarcastic wit, and my mom was prone to punnery. People don't get our family humor, but it's hilarious to us. The offspring develop their smartassery more every year, which both annoys me and makes me proud. Go kids.
I can't tell a joke for anything. OK, a few, but I consciously memorized those. With effort. Sad, I know.
I guess I'm more sarcastic than anything. Thanks, Daddy - that caustic humor really draws folks in. Maybe I have "bitching humor" - apparently, humor keeps me from road rage or asshat rage or whatever. If I'm laughing, I'm less likely to go postal on someone's ass.
And about the different humors - I love that you ALL are some seriously funnyass people. (Gina - I heard that, and stop it, your comment was friggin' funny. Embrace it.) You can't explain humor -- the Hat's was the shortest response, and I seriously laughed out loud reading it.
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