What is Funny to you?
July 9th, 2007 by JeanieMarshallOne of the dynamics that I have discovered by watching people (including myself) is that essentially everyone believes he or she has a sense of humor. I no longer question that everyone has one. The question is, what is funny to you?
I have seen movies that are considered by many to be hysterically funny. In fact, the audience laughs so hard that it is a challenge to hear the next lines. Sometimes it even helps to get the humor when others are laughing.
When I saw K-Pax, my friend and I, sitting in the back of the theater, seemed to be the only two who found it funny. Not all of it is funny; it’s classified as a drama, a mystery, a fantasy. I attributed the seriousness of the audience to the widespread pre-press centering around an enigma, so the members of the audience were trying to figure out whether he was or wasn’t who he indicated he was. Spontaneously, my friend and I laughed out loud. We had no hidden agenda, but soon we noticed that others were laughing at the same places. Humor takes place (or not) in the moment, so trying to fit the pieces together can really interrupt the flow of enjoyment.
Years ago, I went to a movie that was considered one of the funniest and best of the year. I was excited to hear so many rave reviews. At the movies, though, I was so incredible bored by the vacuous humor that I could hardly manage a smile. Of course, I won’t name the movie because I don’t want to speak against a movie. I want to make a broader point: we all laugh at different situations and circumstances. I think it’s important that a movie like that be made because it offers a forum for many people to laugh. The fact that I do not laugh is only important to me.
Uproarious laughter is not the only response to humor. Just plain enjoyment is a wonderful response. I’ve heard many viewers of Dave, criticizing the genre (comedy, romantic comedy) because they do not find the movie funny. I think it is the premise that is funny, and I find so much about it that is amusing, delightful, and funny. It’s one of those movies I can watch anytime, even if I just watched it the day before. It is one of my favorites, which I will soon write a commentary about.
Some people like to convince others that something is funny or tasteless or silly or hilarious or stupid. Such conversations take the fun out of fun. Agreement is over-rated; I am enthusiastically for diversity and variety. While I might think a film is tasteless or not funny, others enjoy it. And what I find heartwarmingly funny, others do not. If I criticize others’ choices, I send an engraved invitation for others to criticize mine. And, quite frankly, even if I do not criticize other’s choices, there will always be someone to criticize something I like. That’s fine. The road to happiness is paved with compliments, not criticism.
I particularly like uplifting humor — moments with a little twist, a surprise, or a different perspective. I think it’s important to laugh — to laugh at something you think is funny, or to laugh at nothing at all. I don’t relate to put-down or bathroom humor.
I encourage you to seek out what you find humorous. If no one else finds it humorous, so be it.
Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.
The minute it crops up,
all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
– Mark Twain


































