Death is Hilarious Review
Death is Hilarious
Podcast by: Tawny Platis
Genres – Comedy, Metal Health
Rating: 4/5 Hot Mics
Content warnings: Death, death of a spouse, COVID-19 mention, dark humor
“…while I AM now in the midst of planning a revolution, I still need to cope with my grief along with everything else that comes along with the world’s current tom-fuckery.” – Tawny Platis
Keeping ‘on brand’ for me, this next podcast recommendation also finds beauty and humor in the dark. ‘Death is Hilarious’, once called ‘The Dirty Bits’, is a podcast that has changed drastically over the years, and yet has never seemed more relevant during this time of social-distancing and navigating the first hellish months of 2020. Initially, this podcast featured episodes that covered the ‘dirty bits’ of history in a way that was comedic and titillating. The topics ranged from Catherine the Great’s X-rated furniture, to James Joyce’s pornographic and fetish-y letters. Each episode ran approximately fifteen to twenty minutes long and mostly featured Tawny Platis (aka ‘The Witty Widow’) speaking to her listeners with a southern Californian drawl and a delightfully dry sense of humor.
Over time, as Tawny’s husband dealt with increasing health issues, the format of the podcast changed as well. George Platis appeared more frequently as a co-host, trading witty quips with Tawny and laughing as she regaled smutty details from history. After George passed away in November of 2019, the podcast pivoted and transformed. What had once been a project that helped Tawny and George laugh through dark days, now became a platform for Tawny to process grief and explore dark humor as a coping mechanism.
The podcast now goes by the moniker ‘Death is Hilarious’, and is a comedic and heartfelt podcast that sits with grief and those who have lived/are living through it. Using humor to cope with dark times is nothing new, like singing nursery rhymes about pockets full of posies and bridges falling down. Humans, especially comedians, have always stood in the face of their own misfortune and found something to laugh about, and Tawny Platis is an example of that human trait. ‘Death is Hilarious’ invites the listeners to be uncomfortable, to ask questions about how to support those who are dealing with grief and loss, and to laugh, even if you wonder if it’s okay to be laughing.
This podcast is in its early stages of growth beyond ‘The Dirty Bits’ era, branching off into a blog, meditative episodes, and stand-up routines. But my favorite part of this production are the episodes in which Tawny sits down with someone who has also experienced loss, to talk about their stories and to hear what they have to say. These newer episodes run approximately thirty to forty minutes long and remain engaging the entire time. The jokes are quick and sharp, and sometimes left me nearly teary with laughter. I do want to note that I enjoy dry and dark humor, as do many Millennial and Gen Z individuals. While this show does not explicitly cater to a younger audience, I have found in my own experience that those in the older generations do not have the same appreciation for this type of wit. Despite this, I would still encourage those who are over forty to give this podcast a shot. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from these episodes, even if dark humor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Sometimes it’s hard to listen to what the guests and host herself have gone through, but the wisdom and sense of camaraderie in each conversation are worth a listen. Grief is an isolating beast, and during a time when so many of us are socially isolated and grieving, it’s nice to listen to a podcast that reminds us that even when it’s dark, we do not have to be alone. We can support each other. We can laugh, cry, and most importantly listen to those who are struggling around us. So post more memes about COVID-19 and the free-fall of America’s illusion of democracy; dark humor will only help us cope with the trauma in our lives, and Tawny Platis is paving the way in George’s memory.
You can find more of Tawny’s work at Tawnyvoice.com, or search for ‘Death is Hilarious’ on your preferred podcast platform.
Happy Podcasting!
(All images can be credited to Tawny Platis, she created the images and gave permission for use.)
(Podcast Icon by Jejen Juliansyah Nur Agung from The Noun Project)