Gender and Humor

Ah. Well, if we're going to start talking comedy teams:The Marx Brothers
Bob and Ray
Stiller and Meara
Burns and Schreiber
Burns and Carlin (yes, it's the same Burns in the last two teams)

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Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus. -- Thomas JeffersonFor we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

Actually, he's a Brit, he just lives there. At least that's what I gather from the "UK Election" thread.Edited by Huntard, : Did the quote wrong

I remember Bob and Ray from Saturday Night Live in the 70s singing Rod Stewert's "Do you think I'm Sexy". Funnnnny!(Still no stooges appreciation in the thread eh? Why, I'll gouge your eyes out!)I think the Stooges surreal voilent humor, that makes me laugh, is somehow indicative of my mental profile. Not sure. Must get myself to a team of Viennese psychiatrists for experimental evaluation Does anyone else strongly subscribe to the type of humor one laughs at being indicative/relative to ones intelligence/personality? I had hoped the thread would eventually turn to why women and men find humor funny. Or not. Does it benefit evolution? . . .Oni's comment about fat comedians was interesting: Jumped Up Chimpanzee also offered an interesting comment: Anyone care to expand?Edited by dronester, : No reason given.

hey, thank you for the welcome I'm female and a Brit but not a comedian/actress, just someone who has, at times, watched too much TV...

Yep, scared! I found this site via the wonderful Fundies Say the Darndest Things, and I really enjoy reading the evolution/creation debate etc - this is easily the best science'n'religion debate site I've encountered.I have learned loads from this site, but I don't feel that my scientific background is strong enough to meaningfully contribute to any great extent. Maybe one day.

Sorry dude I keep forgetting that. I'll make sure, for sure, next time, lol. I don't know her personally either, I smoked out with her briefly after a show a few times, but comics after shows are very toned down. Especially around each other. I'm sure she's how you described her on a date or in a relationship though. Tina Fey? I'm pretty sure she is world-class. 30 Rock? Ok on Andi, she's not really world-class, yet. But I personally, having seen her destroy audiences (and having lost to her at the Montreal Comedy Festival auditions) find her funny. I think we've finally entered into an area where you and I will disagree. Sadly, I find the humor in movies before the 70's to be rather shitty, slapstick stuff that, ehh, I don't really care for. Mel Brooks and Woody Allen are as far back as I like. That's not to say that I wouldn't watch something you recommend, I'll give it a chance. But I haven't found much I like.Here's one that pisses off every old comic I tell, I didn't find Dr. Strangelove funny. I know, I know...but what can I tell ya. Absolutely.Here's a bit more:1) Blazing Saddles
2) The Gods must be Crazy
3) National Lampoon's Vacation
4) The Pink Panther (the original)
5) Naked Gun- Oni

Nyuck! Nyuck! Nyuck! I love their goofy crap still! Particularly the proletariat vs. wealthy stuff.And when the dog sniffed the frozen fish and flopped over dead. Curley said, with surprise, "Hmm! Tarpon monoxide!!"

I've only heard bits from Burns and Carlin and The Marx Bros, haven't heard the other guys. I'll check 'em out.How bout:1) Pryor and Wilder
2) Korman and Conwayand my all time favorite:3) Bunker and Meathead- OniEdited by onifre, : No reason given.

That likely is truly an age thing. We old farts actually grew up with A-Bomb drills at school, and Strangelove deflated all that crap so very well. You young pups missed the release of tension the movie gave.
"You'll answer to the Coca-Cola Company for this!"

Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair... and which one is funny again? Sure they can act, and Applegate has been the victim of many of my sexual dreams but, that doesn't mean they're funny. Ehh, ok. Ulmann is funny. Never seen her do stand up though. I don't know if she does? Early, early 80's MTV Garafolo I actually liked, but yeah as she got older she became obnoxious. Very few can pull it off. I actually find Bill Maher not funny at all, or Dennis Miller. They come off as pretentious too. When you heard Bill Hicks rant about politics you knew he was speaking from the soul, because it was a very narrow view. Miller and Maher do hack left/right jokes that is being done at all the open mic's by new-comers. Yeah I've felt that too. I've heard he's one of those actors that has to be deeply into the project or he just does that "try to hard" thing. Man on the Moon and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are amazing films and amazing performances from him though. That's classic.- Oni

This is exactly what they do. They tell me why it should be funny or was funny, then they give me a quote from the movie. lolI'm sure I'll be talking to a bunch of young guys in the future asking them why they didn't find Anchorman funny, then I'll say: "It's made with real bits of panther. Experts say, 60% of the time, it works everytime." And they still won't get it. - Oni

Good list! Can't disagree with any. Except for maybe Robin Williams in his later years has disappointed me a bit.I would have to split the list in 2 - one for edgy comics and one for natural performers.Edgy comics:1) Lenny Bruce
2) George Carlin
3) Sam Kinison
4) Richard Pryor
5) William "Bill" Hicks (as his momma liked to call him)Natural Performers:1) Steve Martin
2) Bill Cosby
3) Bob Newhart
4) Eddie Murphy
5) George Carlinand why not,Worst Comics EVER:1) Gallagher
2) Jay Leno
3) Carrot Top (even though he's a really nice guy)
4) Pauly Shore
5) every female comic - OniEdited by onifre, : No reason given.

Definitely listen to some Bob and Ray, it's the driest humor you could ever imagine, but very clever. I was listening to a tape of their best stuff in the car and had to pull over before I hit something.I absolutely agree with the first two teams you mention. All in the Family never did much for me.

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Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus. -- Thomas JeffersonFor we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

Never really heard any Lenny or Bill Hicks, so I have no opinion.I like Steve Martin's stand up, but his movies by and large left me completely flat.Gallagher is a guilty pleasure, he always tickled me. I'd list among my least favorites:Will Ferrell
Adam Sandler (he should die for Mr. Deeds)
Pauly Shore
Carrot Top
Pee Wee Herman
Phil Hartman
John LovitzThat's enough, I'm sure you're ready to burst a vein already.

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Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus. -- Thomas JeffersonFor we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. -- Barack ObamaWe see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat

I told you I was an old fart......