Explaining The Joke
You might say, doesn’t that remove all the humor? Doesn’t explaining the joke ruin it?
I’ve heard statements like that all my life and yet, for me, examining a joke or a funny show does nothing to destroy its humor.Perhaps that is why I identify so much with the late Steve Allen. Watching him over the years, as well as reading his books, I’ve found that he often talked and wrote about what makes something funny.
I’ve watched most of the classic comedy shows I feature and write about here more times than I can remember. When I watch an episode from Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, or Ozzie and Harriet, for example, I know full well the contents of the episode. In fact, I look forward to particular bits–sometimes outside the story line–which make the show a “classic” in my mind.
Whether it’s Ozzie trying to extricate himself from some misstatement he has made, and usually digging himself in deeper, Andy leading Barney along as he invariably makes a fool of himself, or Rob finding a glass doorknob where Laura thought there was a huge diamond (do you know this one?) I relish those moments and even–get this–sometimes laugh out loud again!
No, I don’t always get a belly laugh, or even an audible chuckle. These moments usually bring a smile to my face, though. (And I do sometimes laugh out loud!) I relish these moments and enjoy experiencing them over and over.
Classic comedy is not solely a thing of the past but it cannot be manufactured. Time and again I have seen interviews with cast members of shows like those featured here. They all say virtually the same thing: “We didn’t know we were producing a classic at the time.”
It’s the same as with a “hit” song. If you could know it was going to be a hit, you could produce one every time.
This is not a serious occupation for me–analyzing, writing about, and discussing what makes something funny. For me, it’s like savoring a fine wine. Sometimes I think about its character and nature. Other times (maybe most of the time) I just drink and enjoy it!
And it’s my pleasure to share something I love with others who have similar tastes.
