Friday, October 8, 2010

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball started out as a dramatic actress but anyone who has seen her knows comedy was meant for her.  Lucille Ball married Desi Arnaz who was a successful band leader from Cuba.  They wanted to do their own show but found resistance for backing their show because he was Cuban, had an accent and they didn't believe American audiences would like him.  So, Lucy and Desi started their own production company and their show, I Love Lucy was a huge success and is now a classic example of physical comedy.

BTW...this clip illustrates the mind set of the 1950s in America...It makes you laugh but grateful you missed that era as an adult woman.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScLNAVwmjgQ&feature=related

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Diversity of Humor

I love to find a stand-up comic's routine or read something that I find very funny and then pass it along to another person and watch which part makes them laugh.  Certainly, once in awhile someone laughs at exactly the same phrase or word or behavior that makes me laugh, but most of the time it is totally different.

It is often said that laughter is a universal language, but what makes people laugh is very diverse.  Our sense of humor is unique--shaped and formed by our identity, our culture, our family, our beliefs and life experiences.  Comic routines actually celebrate diversity--our similarities and our differences.

I am not ashamed to say I am a graduate of the School of Eternal Optimism, and I think humor and its diversity is one way we can understand and appreciate each other.  I want to start a Foundation that supports the growth and development of humor and laughter throughout the world, which is why I am buying a lottery ticket and saying Novenas to the Patron Saint of Gambling--St. Roulette.   Wish me luck.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Southern Fried Chicks

Doing stand-up comedy has to be a real challenge.  People go to a comedy show expecting to laugh.  Talk about pressure.  It has to be hard to stand up in front of a glob of people who are just watching and waiting to laugh...and that's the good news.  The bad news is if they are not watching or waiting but texting, sleeping, or leaving.

If you look around there are more male stand-up comedians than female.  Must be as hard for women to break into that field as it is to become President in this country.

I found this clip of four women who collectively call themselves "The Southern Fried Chicks" and thought I would share it.  Could only identify 3 of the women:  Etta May, Sonya White and Beth Donahue, so if you know the fourth woman, let me know.  The clips are fairly short and each woman has a very different style.  So, here's to the women who brave the world of stand-up:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRZ5jbIEjgU