They say that we reveal our character by the things we laugh at, by what we find funny. Our first instinct, when someone falls, is to laugh. So the person who falls not only has to worry about the scrapes and wounds, but also the ignominy and embarrassment of a crowd that finds his fall funny.
When we were growing up ‘comedy’ for us meant Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Tom & Jerry. Today we are surrounded by comedy shows, sitcoms, rom-coms, stand-up comedians, funny movies.... and yet we have become increasingly intolerant and unable to take a joke. Indians have always been accused of having no sense of humour. I guess we are a serious lot, carrying as we do, a 5000 year civilization on our frail shoulders. But look at our history - our kings loved a good laugh. Court jesters were appointed to entertain the king. And the witticisms of Birbal and Tenaliraman are legendary.
Here are the top five things that make me smile:
- Peanuts Comics - Charlie Brown and his friends can always, always make me chuckle
- Orson’s Farm Comics - An amazing bunch of characters beautifully delineated
- America’s Funniest Videos and the candid camera type of shows
- The humour in Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age and Madagascar. Silly movies like Welcome, especially some scenes that really set me off
- Some TV shows like Yes Boss and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. I like the British brand of humour: loved Mind Your Language, Yes Prime Minister and Are You Being Served?
What I cannot stand is the comedy show where all the contestants believe that you cannot say something funny without it having a sexual innuendo. The canned laughter, Archana Puran Singh’s loud, forced laughter and the crass, over-the-top humour of the contestants puts me off - totally. I guess I am a prude that way.
Sometimes the silliest of things sets me off. I remember Anu and I were at a parlour once and there was this lady who had just finished a relaxing facial and dozed off. She kept snoring and every time she snored Anu and I would just double up. What was funny about that? Don’t ask me, it seemed real funny at that time :)
So, what tickles your funny bone?
- Peanuts Comics - Charlie Brown and his friends can always, always make me chuckle
- Orson’s Farm Comics - An amazing bunch of characters beautifully delineated
- America’s Funniest Videos and the candid camera type of shows
- The humour in Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age and Madagascar. Silly movies like Welcome, especially some scenes that really set me off
- Some TV shows like Yes Boss and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. I like the British brand of humour: loved Mind Your Language, Yes Prime Minister and Are You Being Served?
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