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Comedy: October 22, 2008 Issue [#2675]

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Comedy


 This week:
  Edited by: Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"I had thought — I had been told — that a 'funny' thing is a thing of a goodness. It isn't. Not ever is it funny to the person it happens to. Like that sheriff without his pants. The goodness is in the laughing itself. I grok it is a bravery... and a sharing... against pain and sorrow and defeat."
- Valentine Michael Smith
(Robert Heinlein,
Stranger in a Strange Land)


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

POLITICS


         Yes, folks, it's time for the *Star*ALL - AMERICAN*Star* edition of the Comedy Newsletter!

         It's October, and many of us have thoughts of trolls, witches, spooks, devils and evil spirits on our minds. The rest of us are ignoring politics and thinking about Halloween! *rimshot*

         As I mentioned in my last newsletter, there's a reason Election Day is set so close on the heels of Halloween - we're all out of scared by then. But in the lead-up to the Big Day (November 4, this year) comes all kinds of opportunity for laughs.

         The big news this November for citizens of the US, of course, is the Presidential election, though of course there are a lot of other elections going on at the same time - every seat in the House of Representatives is ripe for turnover, and many Senate spots as well - to say nothing of possible state and local elections. These tend to be of concern only on the local level, which is where, as writers of comedy, you can shine; the national publications pretty much have the big race covered.

         To do that, though, you have to be informed enough of the various candidates' positions, pet issues, backgrounds, temperaments - even looks, if your bent is artistic (I had an artistic bent once, but it got straightened out). More - and this is where it gets tricky - you're writing for an audience, and the audience has to "get" the joke. But this is no different from other types of comedy, where physics jokes, for example, don't usually get much traction at plumbers' conventions - though it may work the other way around.

         This inevitably leads to the comedian being better informed about the candidates in question than most people - which means that come election time, we're sure to make the right decision... right?

         One thing, though, that gets overlooked in all the elephant vs. donkey matches is the candidates' sense of humor. Traditionally, political candidates don't joke around too much. After all, to run a country - or even a small portion of it - one must project a sense of confidence and sobriety (I'm talking about YOU, Ted Kennedy). But to me, it seems that a person's true, core self can come out when they're making jokes.

         Given that, I present for your viewing pleasure a video of Barack Obama and John McCain - on the same stage - making jokes about themselves and each other. It's not a debate - it's WAY funnier than any debate. And they both stayed civil. So I hope you'll take the time to make your Big Decision, at least in part, on who YOU think told the funnier jokes.

         After all, is anything really more important than laughs?

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/obama_mccain_share_laugh...

"I can't shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me," Mr. McCain said, turning to the far side of the stage. "I'm delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary."
...
"I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I would ever run for president," [Obama] continued.

         Comedy gold.


Editor's Picks

A few examples of political humor from around the site:

 The President's Speech Open in new Window. [ASR]
It "could" happen.
by cute_turkey Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Views/Predictions for the Next 4 Years Open in new Window. [13+]
What will happen till '08?
by Spencer Lee King Author Icon


 The One You've Been Waiting For Open in new Window. [18+]
Excerpt from mock political campaign that won me one vote into local public office.
by BassoAstratto Author Icon


 Learning about Political Stereotypes Open in new Window. [E]
Lessons learned from Democrats and Republicans.
by sdereign Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Some comments from last time:

billwilcox: Ducks ARE funny! Especially Daffy and Donald, but I've never seen a cartoon with a funny turkey in it.*scratches head*
         An idea just waiting to happen, then. If I could draw worth a darn...

THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author Icon: *Laugh*
I've got this pen with a tiny bulb on the lid - works as a kind of flashlight. The point is, the brand name is "BRILLIANCE". It's sitting here now, as I read the newsletter. So I thought that would be my feedback, in a word. This newsletter is "BRILLIANCE". *Cool* - Sonali

         Keep up comments like that. Five stars!

maryelle: Look at it from the penguins point of view. Flapping his wings means that he's gotta have faith that one day he'll lift off. No one told him he can't. A lesson to us all! *Rolleyes*
         All the faith in the world won't get a penguin airborne. A catapult, however, will.

That's it for this week! Until next time,

LAUGH ON!

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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