#planet funny

[akiraofthefour]

The fact that gallows humor is all that survives in the face of dehumanizing catastrophe isn't an argument for gallows humor. It's an argument against dehumanizing catastrophe.

Ken Jennings, Planet Funny

[akiraofthefour]

Once the competition has Jeff Goldblum scaling skyscrapers, you don't want to be the brand looking to the past with irony-free, Goldblum free content.

Ken Jennings, Planet Funny

[akiraofthefour]

How can you feel 'mirth' if you're not a large British man drinking spice wine at a Victorian Christmas party?

Ken Jennings, Planet Funny

[akiraofthefour]

[EB White] also wrote Stuart Little, but it's wrong to associate him with mice because Stuart Little was not a mouse. White is very clear on this point. He was a human baby who was born to human parents but just happened to look exactly like a mouse, which is repulsive.

Ken Jennings, Planet Funny

[jonfarreporter]

Game Show contestant Ken Jennings analyzes American Comedy in his new book

It has always been said that it is more difficult to do comedy than drama. And, for Jeopardy game show contestant winner-extraordinare, Ken Jennings’ new book there at least is a pattern of how comedy has evolved. 

Apart from the game show, this reporter was unaware that Jennings was an established bestselling writer with more than just this “Planet Funny - How Comedy Took Over Our Culture” book. 

No doubt his knowledge and ability to analyze and investigate a subject is impressive. Yet, what struck me was how much research he did. He also drew a correlation of how situation comedies (sit-coms) have changed considerably over the past 20 years and much of that is due to how society has changed. 

I was told when I was in acting school that one of the reason’s why comedy is difficult to do is because, a sense of humor is different. It is perceived differently and received differently by each individual or group. 

For example, people will often make reference to British humor as being subtle or reserved, much like what one would expect from an aristocratic society. But interestingly, humor often depend upon a person’s openness and availability to laughter. 

Jennings points out that over the past decade or so, the pace of humor, has changed. In that, what once took a sit-com time to build up to a comic moment, now is quickly delivered. Much of it having to do with our current technology and an audiences ability to access streaming shows thru Netflix, AmazonPrime and of course, YouTube. 

Curious to know what a seasoned comedian might think of this, I reached out to Paco Romane. He is currently performing at Zanies Comedy Nightclub in Nashville, TN. 

“I would agree with all of this,” (regarding Jennings observations about the way comedy has changed) he said.

“But it also coincides with our attention span and the comedy ‘intelligence’ of American audiences.”

Americans are finely tuned to comedic styles, except probably satire, Romane noted. And, he is pretty spot on, because our British cousins - across the ocean in the U.K. have a better take on it, as pointed out by The Atlantic in March of 2015.

Romane when on to say...”so we ingest and absorb comedy quicker and quicker - a few comedians have gotten away with having slow deliveries but he points out their writing is excellent.”

For all those who want to learn about comedy as well as its history (Jennings goes all the way back to ancient times to gather some universal perspective), this is a helpful book. The reviews have been raves. 

When asked why so much of American comedy out there is hyper-actively zany, risqué, or just in poor taste, Romane replied. 

“My feeling is we'll see the pendulum swing back to quieter thoughtful comedies soon. For example, he said. I love The Detectorists on Netflix - kind of a anti-sitcom in many ways but it follows the same patterns.” 

Romane part of the ‘Killer Beaz’ show now playing at Zanies until Oct. 21, he hopes that more people who enjoy comedy come to live performances. Technology has afforded many conveniences. Yet, a live show has more spontaneity than any pre-recorded show out there. 

“Planet Funny: How Comedy Took Over Our Culture” is available now at booksellers everywhere. 

To learn more about San Francisco-based comedian Paco Romane, visit his web site. 

[kianamonet]

This is hilarious!!!!!! WATCH IT AND FOLLOW MY HOMEBOY @TETRO_STAR ON TWITTER AND SUBSCRIBE TO HIS YOUTUBE PAGE....ALOT MORE FUNNY WHERE THIS CAME FROM <3