Ken Hurley
The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter. – Mark Twain
Today I was diagnosed with Loagogoephasia. A rare disorder that involves an uncontrollable desire to make up words. – kgh
Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious. – Peter Ustinof
I started a joke which started the whole world crying. – Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb
To trace the origins of humor one must follow the truck labeled Good Humor. Here we can delve into the very essence of what it means to be human — our capacity for play, our ability to find absurdity in the mundane, our need to connect through shared laughter, and our desire for a Chocolate Éclair Bar on a stick — all make us smile.
. Pinpointing the precise origins of humor is difficult but not impossible, once we understand who Shecky Bonehead was and how his brand of humor helped create the various genres we enjoy today.
. Shecky was a Neanderthal who first realized that jumping from behind a rock yelling “boo” while kicking his target in the butt, would startle other Neanderthals, which in turn made Shecky laugh. His laughter made other Neanderthals laugh. Shecky credits his funny boneheaded approach to life to his observations of animal behavior. To be playful is a fundamental aspect of animal behavior which often involves elements of surprise, unpredictability, and incongruity, including being poked, tickled, pushed, and pulled — all base elements of humor. Young primates engage in mock fights, exhibiting a form of playful aggression that hints at the roots of comedic timing and physical humor. This suggests that the basic neurological mechanisms underlying human humor might have evolved long before the emergence of those laughable Homo Sapiens.
. As human cognition developed, so too did the sophistication of humor. Early forms of humor likely involved simple slapstick, mimicking, exploitation of social incongruities, and a scatological use of unpredictable flatulence. Imagine a group of ne’er-do-well Neanderthals, huddled around a fire, grunting stories like Tim Allen’s caveman routine and mimicking the clumsy way a rival tribe member walked. This kind of observational humor, based on shared experience and social dynamics, served a crucial social function by strengthening group bonds and reinforcing social hierarchies. However, it also created an “Us” v. “Them” approach to life which may soon become a lawsuit to be settled by the United States Supreme Court. Think of the comedic relief found in the exaggerated portrayal of a pompous authority figure — a trope older than Methuselah’s granddaddy. And, as Woody Allen mused, “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve it through not dying.”
. One need to look no further today than the thousands of political editorial cartoons we’ve seen since we learned to draw hieroglyphics. Egyptian hieroglyphs depict scenes of slapstick and mockery, while ancient Greek comedies, such as those of Aristophanes, satirized political figures and social conventions with stinging wit and clever wordplay. These early forms of humor served not only to entertain, but also to challenge authority, critique social norms, and provide a relatively safe outlet for expressing dissent.
. Puns, riddles, and satirical narratives became more popular and more sophisticated. The use of satire and irony became increasingly refined, allowing for a more nuanced and sophisticated form of comedic expression. The courtly jesters, whose role was to entertain the nobility with witty remarks and playful antics, played a key role in the development of humor. The jesters often enjoyed a degree of freedom to criticize the powerful, using humor as a means of navigating the complex social dynamics of the court. Their jokes, often relying on wordplay and physical comedy, served as a form of social commentary, often veiled in playful ambiguity which offered the jester a modicum of plausible deniability if the King was displeased.
. Shakespeare’s comedies, with their witty dialogue, mistaken identities, and farcical situations, have entertained audiences since their creation. His use of wordplay, puns, and irony demonstrates a sophisticated level of comedic technique that had not been achieved before this point in history.
. So you say, you’re too enlightened to enjoy the antics of Shecky Bonehead or Shakespeare. Well, our so-called Enlightenment period brought with it a new emphasis on reason and rationality, but humor didn’t disappear. Instead, it adapted to reflect the changing intellectual landscape. Satire, irony, and biting sarcasm became a powerful tool for critiquing social and political institutions, as shown by writers like François-Marie Arouet, known better by his pen name, Voltaire. He was famous for his wit and his critical thoughts about of Christianity, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. His use of humor exposed hypocrisy and injustice. Consider some of his more remembered quotes: “Common sense is not so common.” “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” (Let’s remember, there are stupid questions. And, let’s not forget there are women too.)
. So, why do we need jokes? Why is humor such a fundamental aspect of the human experience? The answer is found in that previously mentioned ice cream truck. There is no such thing as bad humor. Laughter is a reflex. If you laugh, there is humor. Humor serves as a social lubricant, facilitating communication, strengthening social bonds — and like a toasted almond bar — helps play a role in stress management and emotional regulation. What?! No such thing as bad humor? That’s right. You are the arbiter of humor. A joke may have all the elements needed to be considered a joke, but if you don’t at least crack an internal smile it’s not a joke to you. It is important for the teaser to accurately assess the target’s response. Things that might be received well by a brother may not be received well by a stranger. It is not always fun to be the butt of a joke.
. Consider the plight of the voice of the Aflac duck – Gilbert Gotfried. During his set at the Friars Club roast of Hugh Hefner in New York City on September 29th, 2001, Gilbert complained about the difficulty he had getting a flight to New York City. Gottfried joked he was unable to get a non-stop flight, because “they had to make a stop at the Empire State Building.” This joke was quickly booed with cries of “too soon,” by a room filled with comedians. Gottfried then went into the famous “Aristocrats” joke and won the audience back. However, Aflac Insurance fired Gotfried as their quacky duck voice. For me, his airline “joke” served only an inward feeling of an awkward cringe.
. Shared laughter creates a sense of connection and intimacy, encouraging empathy and understanding. It also serves as a coping mechanism, which helps us deal with stress, anxiety, and the absurdities of life. A good joke can provide a much-needed moment of levity, allowing us to step back from our problems and see them in a new light. As Steven Wright asked while pointing to a dalmatian, “Which number are you?”
. Furthermore, humor plays a crucial role in social critique and political dissent. By exposing hypocrisy, challenging authority, and highlighting societal flaws, humor can be a powerful tool for social change. Consider any political cartoon, or the Loony Tunes cartoons of the 40s and 50s, which use humor to comment on current events, expose political hypocrisy, or simply laugh at an unbelievable situation.
. Humor stimulates creativity and cognitive flexibility. Understanding a joke requires us to process information quickly, make connections between seemingly disparate ideas, and appreciate the unexpected. This mental agility can enhance our cognitive abilities and promote creative thinking. The very act of telling a joke, crafting a witty remark, or appreciating a clever pun requires a certain level of intellectual dexterity. Remember, the best ad libs are well-rehearsed. Know anyone who can’t take a joke? Is that a stupid question? Humor helps us understand the mind of another. I remember watching a Charlie Chaplin movie with a friend who did not think any of his situational antics were funny. Her only comment was, “I prefer it when they talk.” Which for no particular reason reminds me of the time I stood wondering why the Frisbee was getting bigger — then it hit me.
. Humor is far more than just a form of entertainment. It’s a fundamental aspect of the human experience, intertwined with our social interactions, cognitive development, and ability to make sense of the world around us. From the playful antics of our primate ancestors to the sophisticated satire of today’s comedians, humor has played a crucial role in shaping human culture and society. Comedians often use humor to process trauma, loss, and personal struggles, offering both themselves and their audiences a path to healing and understanding. Rodney Dangerfield: I get no respect. The way my luck is running, if I was a politician, I would be honest. When I was born, I was so ugly, the doctor slapped my mother. My psychiatrist told me I was crazy. I said I want a second opinion. He said okay you’re ugly too.
. George Carlin: Religion is like a pair of shoes. Find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes.
. Steve Martin: A day without sunshine is like, you know, night. Will Rogers: I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.
. Rita Rudner: I was a vegetarian until I started leaning toward the sunlight.
. Emo Philips: I was the kid next door’s imaginary friend.
. Lily Tomlin: I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.
. Reba McEntire: [She’s not a comedian, is she?] To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.
. Nikki Glaser: If anyone is going to bring about mass extinction, it’ll be Donald Trump. [Is that even funny?]
. Let’s sing along with The Bee Gees:
I started a joke which started the whole world crying
But I didn’t see that the joke was on me oh no
I started to cry which started the whole world laughing
Oh If I’d only seen that the joke was on me.
. The Bee Gees couldn’t have known when they wrote those lyrics in 1968 that the lyrics could easily be interpreted to refer to all the boneheads in the current administration. And those same boneheads don’t think that’s funny.
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SHECKY BONEHEAD
