Comedy 101
I had a disturbing conversation with a fellow comedian yesterday. A comedian, by the way, who hails from the secular, very non-conservative sector of the population.
He and I discussed our varying differences of the definition of comedy. Here's what he said, "Comedy is publicly making fun of or pointing out things that shouldn't be made fun of or talked about in public. That's the very definition of comedy."
For the record, he was referring to obscenities, vulgarities, private body parts, racial slurs, and the like. You know, the type of stuff any misguided thirteen-year-old-boy would find funny.
But according to the online American Dictionary, the official definition of the word "comedy" is such:
com·e·dy (kŏm'ĭ-dē)noun.
- A dramatic work that is light and often humorous or satirical in tone and that usually contains a happy resolution of the thematic conflict.
Hmmm. . . . .No reference to obscenities, vulgarities, private body parts, or racial slurs to be found. Maybe because the last time I checked, people caught in the web of pornography, adultery, incest, promiscuity, and the like don't usually define their circumstances as "happy resolution of the thematic conflict."
While talking with Mr. Obscenity, I got the distinct impression that I was trying to convince a man raised on cotton candy about the wonders of Thanksgiving dinner, grilled cheese sandwiches, and caesar salad. Because good humor--real humor--doesn't settle for the sticky sweet emptyness of cotton candy smut. Instead it offers a veritable feast, a smorgasborg for the masses in need of a refreshing dose of giggles, snorts, and hoo-hahs.
So here's my take. Comedy 101, according to Jenn: "To reach an audience through the use of dramatic inflection, physical nuances, exaggerated renditions of the universal foibles and inconsistencies found in every day life." In other words: Make 'em laugh without anyone getting hurt.
There's so much good humor out there. Don't settle for the gut-bomb of cotton candy humor. Hold out for the clean stuff - it won't leave such a bad taste in your mouth.
Amen, Sister!
Hi Jenn,
Great post! I just found your blog from your ShoutLIfe account. I,
crazily, had never heard a Christian comedian until about a month ago-I
simply didn't know they were out there. I zipped over to U-Tube and caught
some clips and now I'm hooked. It's so refreshing to laugh without feeling
dirty.
Jenn, I have always thought the best comedy comes from observing TRUTH and
pointing out its natural absurdity. That's what you do in your books! I've
never thought it had anything to do with making fun of anyone or anything,
or with profanity or vulgarity -- it's simply choosing to see the hilarity
in everyday life. Your comedian friend is partially right, humor often
involves talking about things we don't generally discuss in public. But
that doesn't mean it has to be vulgar, and it doesn't mean we have to
belittle or make fun of people.
Did he include swallowing bugs in his list of things funny? <3
Amen - and amen! Sure, mentioning the unmentionables can generate a laugh
- but it's the lowest form of comedy - and the least accessible. I'm
guessing your friend spends a lot of time in what comedians refer to as
"Hell Gigs" - dirty bars, filthy clubs, performing for $50 a night telling
jokes about body orifices. While some may see that as "comedy," I have a
hard time believing anyone who works that kind of scene night after night
is ever really walking away smiling. It's kind of hard to lift your head
in pride of your work when it consists of telling jokes about body noises,
commenting on the waitresses' figures, and how you want to "date" the girl
in the front row. As a clean comedian I can work those gigs as well... but
can also entertain at corporate functions, parties, and churches. Often I
walk away having more fun than the audience. And that's a nice thing to
have in a career.
