French diplomat, novelist, and film director Romain Gary wrote, “Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man’s superiority to all that befalls him.”
This makes sense. How often have you heard the idea that sometimes a person has to laugh, otherwise they would have no choice but to cry?
French diplomat, novelist, and film director Romain Gary wrote, “Humor is an affirmation of dignity, a declaration of man’s superiority to all that befalls him.”
This makes sense. How often have you heard the idea that sometimes a person has to laugh, otherwise they would have no choice but to cry?
Growing up, I was in awe of the kids who could incite laughter. That’s probably why I began trying to remember jokes; I, too, wanted to be looked up to for my humor. Besides, telling a joke is good almost any time. Everyone feels more comfortable while sharing a laugh.
I listened repeatedly to albums by Bill Cosby, he of the current creepy court cases. Red Skelton was a favorite of; his humor was good-natured, and I loved the way he cracked himself up while telling a joke.
Eventually, the Marx Brothers put me under their spell; I came to embrace their amusing anarchy far more than of Jerry Lewis. And, for some reason, the Three Stooges never could reach my funny bone.
Later in life, I listened to recordings or saw videos by Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. In its earliest days, Saturday Night Live put me in stitches. And the Monty Python team knocked me out from the get-go, and still does.
I have only seen a few standup comics in person. Stand up is a tough job, and not for the fainthearted. In a live setting, things can go very wrong very fast; every working comedian has stories about bombing onstage.
Last week, I was given a ticket to a performance by Jay Leno. I was not familiar with his standup; my sole exposure to Jay was for his work as a guest host and then permanent host on the Tonight Show.
Honestly, I thought his TV monologues weren’t great. Generally, his Tonight Show gags seemed middle-of-the-road milquetoast, perfect for middle America as they got ready for bed, but nothing particularly edgy or shrewd, like material from Louis CK or Chris Rock.
Still, Leno’s work influenced David Letterman, a comedian I greatly appreciate. So, with moderate expectations, I went to the show.
Mr. Leno acquitted himself nicely. While he offered no life-changing insights on the human condition and never ventured too near humor’s cutting-edge, he amused the audience from start to finish during his hour-and-40-minute set on items from the news.
He gracefully moved from topic to topic, cleverly targeted jokes to middle-of-Michigan casino audience, and executed the mechanics of his standup artfully. He knew just when to start and to pause, he knew when to repeat a phrase, he knew how to stop talking altogether and let his facial expression build laughter from the crowd. I left with a lot of respect for someone who knows his trade so well.
Will Rogers once said, “I don’t make jokes — I just watch the government and report the facts.”
With the many indignities Americans currently suffer at their government’s hands, I hope Mr. Leno and other comedians are up to the task before them. We have a lot to cry about, but we would much rather be laughing.
Pat Grimes, a former South Bay resident, writes from Ypsilanti, Mich. He can be reached at pgwriter@inbox.com
