Source of Comedy (Blogophilia 7.5)




It said the source of all comedy is pain.  Most comics and entertainers have an innate need for attention.  The problem with this is people don’t necessarily want to hear about your problems.  Unless you can take their mind off of their problems.  Take for example Steve Martin.  He understands this.  You rarely hear about his personal life because he knows that would take away from the silly image of him with bunny ears or the indelible image of him in suburban Atlanta parking lot begging for tips with Martin Mull.  

I have been accused of thriving on chaos.  I really don’t feel alive unless it seems the world is falling apart. It is the mark of a child that grows up in a dysfunctional household.  Stability is something that other people have.   My wife is having a seizure?  Tip her on her side to keep the airway clear and make sure she doesn’t hit anything.  Wait until it is over and let her sleep it off.  My Mom drunk?  There is nothing to do there except stay out of her way.  Company computer system get struck by lightning?  Eh, give me a list of was lost. I’ll have it back in a couple of days.

But, routine day to day events?  They drive me crazy.

 Is it normal?  From what I have seen on the internet, it may be.  I see situations that make me wonder how people even survive and that I shouldn’t be such a whiner.  A child forced by an adult to hold hot potatoes or burning cigarettes.  Or the children that are given to other people’s pleasure and thrown away like used garbage.   I have my limits and I wonder if I could survive those things.   And the Hero in me wants to go up and “fix” their problems.  Even though I know in my heart I would make it worse.  

So what does this rant have to do about comedy?  I don’t know.  I keep thinking I’ll find witty ways to vent the steam, but it just sounds like another whiner in the world. 

Comments

  1. liamApril 9, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    that may possible be true the source of comedy being pain. . . . . . .
    i can fully understand this post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. tobyjustApril 9, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    I remember my dad talking about the chaos in the second world war and how he coped with the daily horror of the dead and the dying... he surprised me by saying he looked at the funny side of the horror by using sarcasm as a base to view the things he saw..
    one such instance was seeing a guy in his outfit get his foot blown off and dad said he hated them shoes anyway.. always said his feet was killing him...
    comedy is a fickle thing Christopher.. is it like a thread we need to hang on to?... good blog ... it made me think..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeApril 9, 2012 at 5:41 PM

      I think it does. It sheds light on what would normally would be unending dreariness and gives a perverse sense of needing to go on despite the crap.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousApril 9, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    Pain is the source of comedy or comedy is a refuge from pain (or one in the same)

    I used to love chaos - but not sure thats still true. It has returned to my work place and not liking it as much as I remember

    TM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeApril 9, 2012 at 5:42 PM

      As I grow older, the less I enjoy it. But it still is a rush when you know the solution and can implement it.

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    When I was doing some readings about the carnival blog before, I encountered this line: Does art imitate life or life imitates art? :) Nice post Chris.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeApril 9, 2012 at 8:39 PM

      I tend to go with art imitating life. Life is the source of the energy. It is up to us to filter it.

      Delete
  5. @NativeMikeAdamsApril 9, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    very good post...thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 12:11 AM

    there is an underlying tragedy within all comics. Enjoyed reading this. Some think that I thrive on chaos because I am mixing weird bonus topics with the main topic and there is only one thing to say about this...they are right! :)
    8 points Earthling! :)
    Marvin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 12:54 AM

      Marvin, I like your comment. Sallon

      Delete
    2. Another Government EmployeeApril 10, 2012 at 6:39 AM

      There is. Tragedy and Comedy are sides of the same coin of life.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    Comedy covers a wide range of sins, I like to look at each comic as unique. One thing I find appealing is that comics will often broach subjects that are considered not nice, which you have also done in your write. I find you to be a comic writer in all the best ways. Sallon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeApril 10, 2012 at 6:37 AM

      I have always looked on the world with cynicism. This has turned people off over the years, but so be it.

      Delete
  8. sharonleeApril 10, 2012 at 3:16 AM

    I don't know... while I didn't find this funny (and don't be too disappointed, because I've been told numerous times that I find nothing funny).... but I did find it interesting... and I can't help wishing you were my neighbor, for the ones I have freak out when I have a seizure.

    Peace
    Sharonlee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeApril 10, 2012 at 6:38 AM

      I sort of freaked the first time it happened, but after that it just became a drill.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    Interesting blog and I enjoyed reading this!

    Michelle K.

    ReplyDelete
  10. sueApril 11, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    It is the everyday things that are worse than dealing with the chaotic issues, then need the comedy for relief. It's why I don't watch the news though skim the newspapers. Again you have woven two issues into one. Guess I'll call you the weaver...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Colleen Keller BreuningApril 12, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    It is definitely interesting how some people do thrive on chaos yet come unglued with the mundane parts of life. These days I'm embracing my ordinary life.... as less stress is better for one's health! :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousApril 14, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Oh, I like Colleen's comment about embracing my ordinary life. I am definately enjoying life the older I get. i try not to sweat the samll stuff.

    I also like your reply to TM. I don't enjoy the chaos as much but like when I have solutions and can implement them. I guess with age comes wisdom?

    Joanie

    ReplyDelete

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