I’ve never studied humor. I know there are people and books who discuss this sort of thing; if you have a recommendation, I’d appreciate it. I think humor, the kind that entertains without offending (too badly), is an ability worth aspiring to. In my investigation of what’s funny, I hope you’ll consider taking this Humor Quiz. What we find funny explains a lot about us, doesn’t it?
Humor Quiz (rate the following on a scale of 1-10 with: 1 being “What? That is NOT funny,” 5 being “Depends on my mood/caffeine intake/level of sleep deprivation” and 10 being “Stop! I’m going to wish I’d done more Kegels.”)
a)
“Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink” (Lady Astor)
“Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it.” (Winston Churchill)
b)
c) Leslie Nielsen
d)
e)
f) New Apple commercials with John Hodgman as PC guy. John Hodgman shares some experiences on This American Life. Click here, then scroll down till you see the 329: Nice Work If You Can Get It title. Click on the“
Full Episode“ link and fast forward to the 8 minute mark.
g)
h) The brotherly interaction in Alma 26 that leads Aaron to say in v. 10, “Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.”
i)
Why Parents Have Gray Hair
A father passing by his son’s bedroom was astonished to see the bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy.
Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, “Dad”. With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands:
Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I’m writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and Mom.
I’ve been finding real passion with Joan and she is so nice. I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, her tight motorcycle clothes and because she is so much older than I am but it’s not only the passion, Dad, she’s pregnant.
Joan says that we are going to be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood, enough for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Joan has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn’t really hurt anyone. We’ll be growing it and trading it with the other people in the commune for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we’ll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Joan can get better; she sure deserves it!
Don’t worry Dad, I’m 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I’m sure we’ll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your son, Chad
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I’m over at Dickmy’s house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that’s in my desk drawer.
I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home!
j)
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Shannon (4)
Emily H. (3)
memarie lane (2)
Beth (1)
gurrbonzo (1)
a) 4
b) 8 – totally had me fooled. i need to buy this product
c) 4
d) 8 – took me a sec, but then i laughed out loud
e) 6 – too long. some parts are funny, some were just stupid
f) 7 – i like the dead-pan humor. the mac commercials are good too.
g) 6 – i think i would have ranked this higher except i can see this happening to one or both of my boys
h) 8 – one of my favorite passages in the BofM. i love ammon’s rejoiner from vs 11-37. best quotes: “Who can glory too much in the Lord?” There never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we” “Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast.” the whole chapter is funny – not laugh out loud kind, i guess, but for the scriptures this is as good as it gets! i love how fired-up ammon gets. in ch 27 he gets so overjoyed he passes out.
i) 9 – i was laughing out loud, good belly chuckles, but controlling myself
j) 6
I still like the Mom My Ride clip from YouTube. I would rank it a 9.
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I’m not going to comment on all of them cuz I’m lazy. B scared me at first–have you seen those little clips where something all the sudden jumps out at you? I thought that was going to happen. I love D (big smile). E was too long, like Tara said, but I think I laughed out loud a couple times. G makes me cringe. H I never really thought of as funny. I is pretty funny (laugh out loud).
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I thought most of them were funny. Im not one to rate humor as I have a sick and sarcastic sense of humor.
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Okay, I decided I better start commenting again because I am losing the race to be a top commenter. I know I don’t stand a chance at beating Marcy, but I want to at least stay in the top commenters list.
a- I think I would call this witty rather than just funny. 6
b- 7
c- depends on the movie
d- 5
e- will farell has gw’s mannerisms down pat, which is funny, but I agree that it was too long and started to get a little boring toward the end- 6 (if it was shorter I would rank it higher – btw, my rankings have nothing to do with my political leanings)
f- 8
g- 5
h- 4
i- 7
j- 7
I think that the best humor of all time is The Great Muppet Caper. It is such a classic. There are so many really funny moments in it that I can’t begin to list them. I have seen that movie maybe fifty times in my life and it still makes me laugh.
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Melinda,
You don’t want to get to close to my rating. Top commentor also means the person who most needs to get a life!!! JK.
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The funniest ones to me were b, e, f, and i. I particularly liked the Bush impersonation one. I think humor depends on being able to relate to the situation in real-life, so if something isn’t funny, maybe the person has never experienced a similar situation.
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I need more movies like this.
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