Laugh?

"There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt." - Erma Bombeck

"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die." - Mel Brooks

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Been a few days since I wrote a blog.  Apologies, seems that my working life really DOES take up a huge chuck of my time.

I'm writing this today in response to a few people who don't appreciate what I find funny.

Now, I'll admit that my sense of humour isn't exactly the most politically correct.  Probably not the most sane either.  But it's who I am.  And it's actually how most of my family are.  My Dad and I shared a very similar 'gallows' sense of humour.  In fact, I know for a stone cold fact that if he wasn't dead, he'd be laughing at all my jokes, even the ones at his expense.

(For instance, a friend told me recently that I had my Dad's eyes.  So I told her "Well, it's not like he needs them anymore".   She began to laugh then stopped to ask if I was being serious.  Of course, I wasn't but I know my Dad would have approved regardless).

To me, anything is fair game.  The latest tragedy?  I'll be getting text jokes within 10 mins.  A celebrity dies?  Ditto.  I truly don't think there's anything that you can't reasonably make fun of.  After all, isn't all comedy ultimately borne out of tragedy?

We, as humans need a release valve.  Laughter is that valve.  Can anyone honestly tell me they've not felt a LOT better after a good laughing fit?  No matter how stressed or angry, a damn good belly laugh cures all.

I've been accused of having a sick sense of humour many times.  I somewhat agree.  But I would like to ask the accusers have they ever laughed at anything they shouldn't?  Ever watched someone trip over and stifle a laugh?  Ever been told a joke, laugh then go "oooo" because it was a bit below the belt?   I bet the answer is YES.

Which is where my problem lies.   Who's the one in the wrong?  The one that laughs at anything/anyone/any situation or the one who's selective.   I can tell you now, my conscience is clear.

I often refer to myself as the perfect example of Equal Opportunities - I discriminate against everyone.   Frankie Boyle said it best: "I'm not racist, I haven't finished hating all the white people yet".  When you start making caveats, then instantly, you're not playing fair.  Why can't I make fun of different religions, the same way I make fun of my own?   And similarly, I don't have a problem if you want to make fun of my religion, as long as you don't mind people doing the same to yours.


Another comic I like immensely is Lisa Lampanelli.  She participates in a lot of 'Roasts' on US television.  Her comedy is based mainly on insults.  She has often been criticised for her language, her racial comments, her attacks on minorities.  However, she always balances it out with jokes about herself, and 'majorities'.  No-one is safe from her scathing humour and in my opinion, she's got it dead right.


To quote Lisa:  "If you laugh at all the jokes about others, but none of the ones about yourself, YOU are the racist"

Yes, I will poke fun at the McCann's, at 9/11, at cancer, at pretty much anything.  But equally, I will poke fun at myself, at my Dad, my Mum, and everything I love and hold dear, because what makes me laugh might not make YOU laugh, but that's not my problem.  And if you don't like my jokes, my comments, my sarcasm...  "Talk to my butt coz it's only part of me that gives a crap".