Have you ever tried to figure out why some people are funny and other people are not?

Question

What is it about some people that make them hilariously funny while others are a bit more dry?

Is it experience? Outlook on life? Honesty? Or just a major defense against inner troubles? Or am I trying to dissect the frog like E.B. White referred to when he said: Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.

Answer 1

Without humor we go insane with it we only appear insane. I'm a South Park fan it'll tell you a bit about my taste. It's shameless and irreverent "demented and sad but sociable"(1). Humor is a coping skill without it we'd be left staring down truths one can't overcome with logic and fact. There is no logic in dissecting the frog for the sake of discovery only humorous truth about human nature at work. What's funnier Rosanne Bar singing the American Anthem and grabbing her crotch when they booed her ? Or is it funnier that someone, somewhere said let's get a foul mouthed comedian to sing the American Anthem ? It's proof there is such a thing as butchering a really good song or falling down in a shopping mall. Can anyone say American Idol ? We pretend it's about success but who bought William Hungs album for it's quality musical content ? Politics, flag burning? How many flag burners do you know ? In the middle of war passing an anti flag burning amendment became front page news ? Is this suddenly an epidemic ? I've known of one flag burning in my lifetime. Humor helps us discover ourselves and laugh a little. At least the best humor does in my view. There is pointless humor it revels in depravity lacking common sense. This is what defines humerus from not humerus. There's a compassion in humor a humanity and the comedian either has it or doesn't. A few I think have it George Carlin, Rita Rudner, Janean Garafola, Margret Cho, myself and Whoopi Goldberg. There's a joke in that sentence similar to what doesn't belong in that last sentence. Something can be said about the person based on their choice in humor. I can't stand slapstick give me dark, gritty and irreverent with intelligence. It's not a cover it's what I am it's not a defense for "inner troubles" it's me. I'm claustrophobic with small rooms and token responses. Give me the joke that mocks mankind and our fallibility, I'll laugh. Those being mocked can't stand up under such scrutiny and they've no rebuttal they've no sense of humor. We dissect the frog because we dare. We wanna know what makes it work and not everyone wants to know that. A sense of humor often is intelligent anger looking for a dance partner and sometimes those looking aren't very good dancers. Crotch grabbing is for amateurs. I think humor comes from many things but those who make me laugh the most have one thing in common, common sense. It's not facts it's just common sense the possibility exists we're fallible, we're foolish and stupid enough to deny it. In my mind perfect humor is " demented and sad but sociable" (2). Note human and humor are one letter away from being the same thing. Could god be laughing ?

Answer 2

I've spent more time than is probably healthy thinking about this. Humour depends on social context to some degree - witness the debates about which country produces the "funnier" sitcoms, the US or the UK. It is also about rhythm, just as must as poetry or song is - the funniest concept in the world can fall flat or be one of those "See what you're saying" things if the rhythm or the tone is wrong. This can be crafted down to which exact words you use, and the difference between the hilarious and the merely dry can be a combination of the ear they have for THE ultimate way to make something funny, and an instinct for the audience you're talking to.

What makes a subject funny can be any number of things, but Billy Connolly said it almost perfectly when he said "Life with its knickers down is where it gets really funny" - meaning situations that resonate with us about the things we all do and often don't broadcast. People who can bring that resonance out and give us "permission" to laugh at ourselves, rather than take ourselves seriously, are priceless.

As are people who do the "medicine man" thing - bring out all the things we're actually scared to talk about, think about, feel about, and put them out there in a way that makes us ultimately relieved that they gave us that opportunity to realise a truth.

So ultimately, technique is like poetry, but true humour is in making people comfortable with all the things they don't normally like to think or talk about - be it politics, religion, sex, relationships, or anything else.

Wow...I did that thing where people looking at comedy get all serious and go through the whole damn thing withohut cracking a single joke...
Bummer...

Answer 3

As with anything else, we are all given varying degrees of characteristics the are actually developed more than or less than another person given the background, beliefs, fears, purpose of living, etc. And then, we must realize that there are some people who actually really really enjoy dry humor. Having these differences actually makes the world go around very nicely. Whereas you may think someone is asking a stupid question because you know the answer or it is apparent/obvious to you when someone else you may have admired didn't know the answer and needed to know as well.

It's whatever the person was designed to do here on earth that gives direction as to how much of a attribute to give/develop. Please realize, a comedian makes light of difficult issues or issues that other people have in common. A comedian as I see it sharing this light of joy (of laughs) touches many hearts and minds so that they can receive more strength to carry on longer. We never know what we do in helping someone to laugh at things. An older gentleman loving classical music is not going to a Chris Rock comedy show. So there has to be something for him to enjoy to relieve/release the stress level that may have mounted through his years. We are all connected to one another through our experiences - nothing is by chance. So there must be someone for someone when we are feeling low or high and go through our life experiences more joyous.

Answer 4

I think it's based in the personality. Some of it you're born with, other parts you develop over time, influenced by your environment, etc. I admire the people who have had an extraordinarily difficult lot in life, who are able to roll with the punches, and find the humor in even the most harrowing situations. I think life is taken so seriously most of the time, and there is nothing wrong with looking on the other side for a giggle or 2. Great Question!

Answer 5

All of the above. And of course personal reflection aids in the ever-bellowing cyber-chant "LMFAO". Every time I hear about someone's kid hollering out some embarrassing question in a crowded public place like "Mommy, why do you buy so much K Y Jelly? It tastes GRRROSS! I want grape!!!" I just gotta LMSAO!

I've also found humor in tragic ignorance as well. Some of these answers here had me in tears...

"...i funny so i be the one to make u laugh and im quite good at it "
or
"...I just out and out tell the truth. I NEVER lie, about anything, ever..."

Sweet Neptune, I can't catch my breath!! Oh, how unhumor can be so humorous...

Answer 6

E.B. White? Oh what a wicked Charlottes web we weave when first we learn to conceive, wait, that's not right, I meant deceve. Actually some of us have to learn how to deceive before we can conceive. Do you have Bartlett's book of quotations memorized? I love what you come up with, but don't quote me on that. I agree with Mr. White. You can analyze humor to death. And that is not funny. I have found the secret to being funny. I put jello and tofu in each of my shoes, so when I walk out the door, I feel funny. But not as funny as Steve Martin, who I stole this from. I have always used humor for different purposes; to attract attention, to ease myself out of embarrasing and awkward situations, and to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths or situations. It is the last purpose that has caused me the most grief. Not being able to be serious has caused me problems in my relationships, such as when I showed up for my wedding dressed in a clown outfit. The minister was not amused. He reached over and squeezed my horn in front of the entire congregation.

Answer 7

Everyone is funny to some degree. But they may not be perceived as funny by some.
It is really in the perception of the person listening to the joke or remark.
I prefer subtle dry humour. Much more fun that the slap stick variety. If you look at the humour of Red Skelton for instance, his humour was very subtle and slapstick at the same time. Pure genius.

Answer 8

Not really. But let's put it this way.

Humor, like many other things, is a talent. Some are naturally born with it. Others learn to understand the art and use it. Others just don't have it.

Besides, humor is also very subjective. A joke that we both hear could send you rolling on the floor and out the door and the rest of us would be like: "Huh?"

Answer 9

For me what is funny is life itself. When someone points out some goofy thing we all think about or do but don't necessarily admit to there is a sudden connection with everyone in the room (one or hundreds). Making connections between seemingly two unrelated topics like raisins and wine: "I made wine out of raisins so I wouldn't have to wait for it to age." Steven Wright. Ok, funny but not the greatest example. But you get the idea.

I agree though that somethings are best left unanalyzed.

Answer 10

For me comedy is a about the truth; the people that make me laugh look at the the things in life that we just accept and portray the in a new light. Its about looking at a familiar idea from a fresh perspective. Beyond that I don't like to analyze too much; I ain't no froggie killa!

Answer 11

I think it all has to do with the individuals personality. It is known that the personality is mostly defined by age three.

So if that is fact, then it is unlikely that any other influences past that will have a significant effect.

I know that doesno't give you an IRON CLAD answer, but you are asking a Yahoo on Yahoo for advice...