Why don't we take humour more seriously?

[Bored Of Education]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Amor de Cosmos wrote: If "seriously" is the key term then I guess one reason might be that comedy doesn't ask to be taken seriously. It's part of its definition really, funny is the opposite of serious. So if the people doing it don't encourage that type of analysis then it's less likely to happen. Which, of course, is different from saying it shouldn't

I am not sure that that is entirely true, AdC. I wouldn't be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously. Obviously, many didn't take this attitude onto the stage with them but most struck as the sorts that would be quite happy to have their work analysed and dissected.

[Amor de Cosmos]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

On an individual basis you could well be right. There are at least a couple of background issues, regarding humour in general, that might suggest otherwise though.

One is the belief that comedy stops being funny the moment you start to dissect it. I can understand comedians not wanting to talk about their work for this reason alone.

The other, less specific but probably more important, is that comedy traditionally speaks truth to power and gets away with it. This has been true for centuries. The carnival clown and court jester could call the King a prick — or worse — and get away with it. Comedians push similar limits today, but if they began making the same points in a serious context, people — including their audience — may be turned off.

[Gangster Octopus]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

WOM wrote: No Last of The Summer Wine, eh?

Scroll down.

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Bored of Education wrote:

If "seriously" is the key term then I guess one reason might be that comedy doesn't ask to be taken seriously. It's part of its definition really, funny is the opposite of serious. So if the people doing it don't encourage that type of analysis then it's less likely to happen. Which, of course, is different from saying it shouldn't

I am not sure that that is entirely true, AdC. I wouldn't be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously. Obviously, many didn't take this attitude onto the stage with them but most struck as the sorts that would be quite happy to have their work analysed and dissected.

Most comedians, in my experience (and I include myself in this generalisation) take comedy WAY too seriously and often elevate comedy to an art form with "entertainment" and "populism" becoming dirty words.

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

If anyone wants to listen to comedians talking about comedy forensically then I can highly recommend Stuart Goldsmith's excellent Comedian's Comedian podcasts.

http://www.comedianscomedian.com/

[Bored Of Education]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Apologies, tratorello, this

I wouldn't be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously.

should, of course, have read

I would be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously.

[Lucy Waterman]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

I've seen the good Trat in action on a number of occasions, and he is an excellent practitioner of one of the hardest of comedy forms. I also assume his support of Ipswich is part of the act.

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Bored of Education wrote: Apologies, tratorello, this

I wouldn't be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously.

should, of course, have read

I would be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously.

Haha, I didn't even spot that it said "wouldn't" rather than "would", which probably says something about the ego of a performer and assuming that, of course, everyone wants to hear your opinion on a subject.

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Lucy Waterman wrote: I've seen the good Trat in action on a number of occasions, and he is an excellent practitioner of one of the hardest of comedy forms. I also assume his support of Ipswich is part of the act.

Thank you LW, "Did somebody spam you?" is still my favourite ever heckle putdown/comedy moment.

[Jah Womble]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

I've not read all of this thread, tbh, but I fail to see how comedy films (for example) 'haven't' received critical appraisal at all.

I mean, there's been some serious w*nkery written about Woody Allen's oeuvre over the years - and I'm a fan (of his movies).

[Vulgarian Visigoth]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

tratorello wrote:

If "seriously" is the key term then I guess one reason might be that comedy doesn't ask to be taken seriously. It's part of its definition really, funny is the opposite of serious. So if the people doing it don't encourage that type of analysis then it's less likely to happen. Which, of course, is different from saying it shouldn't

I am not sure that that is entirely true, AdC. I wouldn't be interested to know what tratorello thinks but, during my limited time, I found comedians an entirely serious bunch who took their art equally seriously. Obviously, many didn't take this attitude onto the stage with them but most struck as the sorts that would be quite happy to have their work analysed and dissected.

Most comedians, in my experience (and I include myself in this generalisation) take comedy WAY too seriously and often elevate comedy to an art form with "entertainment" and "populism" becoming dirty words.

Are you a comedian? Say something funny.

[Lucy Waterman]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

How much are you going to pay him in return?

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Pat McGatt wrote:
Are you a comedian? Say something funny.

Something funny.

[Bored Of Education]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Jah Womble wrote: I've not read all of this thread, tbh, but I fail to see how comedy films (for example) 'haven't' received critical appraisal at all.

I mean, there's been some serious w*nkery written about Woody Allen's oeuvre over the years - and I'm a fan (of his movies).

Are Woody Allen's films out and out comedy? I suppose a fair few of them are so your point stands.

[Jah Womble]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Yes, they flaming well are - and how very dare you...

...oh, right, okay.

[WOM]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

I had never heard Allen's standup routines until a couple of years ago, but they were exceptionally good. Very '60s Greenwich Village vibe, but really intelligent comedy.

I've still never heard a word Lenny Bruce has said, but his reputation is second to none. Never heard a Redd Foxx party album either, but those are apparently something to stand you on your ear.

[WOM]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

tratorello wrote: If anyone wants to listen to comedians talking about comedy forensically then I can highly recommend Stuart Goldsmith's excellent Comedian's Comedian podcasts.

http://www.comedianscomedian.com/

I tried listening to one in the car this morning, but it sounded like two guys with a cassette deck inside a metal filing cabinet. Are they all that poorly recorded? Maybe I'll try later with headphones. I went back to listening to Maron instead.

[Bored Of Education]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

Agreement is very disarming on OTF.

[WOM]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

You are correct.

[tracteurgarcon]

Why don't we take humour more seriously?

WOM wrote:

If anyone wants to listen to comedians talking about comedy forensically then I can highly recommend Stuart Goldsmith's excellent Comedian's Comedian podcasts.

http://www.comedianscomedian.com/

I tried listening to one in the car this morning, but it sounded like two guys with a cassette deck inside a metal filing cabinet. Are they all that poorly recorded? Maybe I'll try later with headphones. I went back to listening to Maron instead.

Which one was that?

Usually the sound quality is pretty good, certainly good enough for me to listen to them through my crappy Apple headphones when I'm out walking the dog.