The worst humour

[Gareth]

Ok, I will start at this...I don't mean any harm when critisizing any nation of their humour, let me make that clear.

In my opinion the best humour style has the be the British with the way that it isn't farfetched, with Australian humour coming second and last American humour, shows like Seinfield and other sitcoms, my Wife And Kids I can make an exception on that show I like.

What is all your opinions?

-Gareth.

 

[giovannimusica]

Humour, quite often, might demand a prerequisite knowledge of the language, history and culture of the country where the joke is originated from. Rowan and Martin's TV show entitled *Laugh-In* was a hoot as was Red Skelton when and wherever he performed.

Those individuals did not have a predisposition to scatological speech like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and a few others. I can agree that American humourists and humour shows quite often delve in the gutter. Being somewhat of an anglophile I can enjoy some programming from the BBC but it has taken me many years to enjoy some of the humour the British employ. Sorry, don't know enough about Aussie humour to give an enlightened opinion about.

Giovanni

 

[Gareth]

Well Aussie humour is just getting something and turning it around...trying to make it funny, lame comments, and of course everyone will laugh at it as...it is just stupid.

 

[ApeXX]

Well Aussie humour is just getting something and turning it around...trying to make it funny, lame comments, and of course everyone will laugh at it as...it is just stupid.

That is your opinion, of course. Actually I do not have experienced any other humor (English spelling!) besides that of us American's. We have quite a few good comedians, but most of their jokes are allusions to things that you would not understand if you are not a native.

 

[Gareth]

Yeah true.... I can see some of that in Seinfield and Frasier...I just don't find the humour in those shows.

 

[ApeXX]

That is because almost all American sitcoms make allusions to some form of entertainment, or even an event in history that only natives of America would truely understand. I have never been outside of the US (besides to Montreal, Canada) so I do not know what other countries use for humor. I would assume that they also make allusions to things us Americans wouldn't understand.

 

[Gareth]

Well, I prefer humour like...Little Britains, The Sketch Show, movies that Rowan Atkinson is in...some american humour I can get, but otherwise it is just not funny to me.

Don't they show British humour in America? Or do they only show american stuff there?

 

[giovannimusica]

Well, they have shown *Last of the Summer Wine*, *As Time Goes By*, *You Have Been Served*, *Mr. Prime Minister* and others.

 

[Thomas Dressler]

I think British humor is very funny--the things I can get. There are some things I just don't understand, but in general, I find it funny. I, personally, don't find Seinfeld very funny. I think besides being a cultural thing, it's also personal. I feel that too much modern American humor is mean spirited. I just don't find those things funny. Interestingly, there was a British show called Who's Line is it Anyway? that was shown here years ago. I used to love that show, and now we have an American version of the same show. I love the American version, too. It's all very cleverly improvised on the spot.

I have always thought Carol Burnett to be one of the classics of American comedians. Even now, when reruns are shown on TV (which are rare) I still think she's very funny. And not at all mean spirited.

 

[Gareth]

Ahhhh, now thats a show that I haven't seen in sooo long... I remember one episode that I saw on there...is the british one with Drew Carry?? Oh no thats the american version...still it is quite funny.

 

[rojo]

Here`s a list of UK shows I have found amusing and/or hilarious-

* Yes, Minister
* Mr. Bean
* Fawlty Towers
* Monty Python`s Flying Circus- Also enjoyed movies 'The Holy Grail' and parts of 'The Meaning of Life' (ex. the part with the grim reaper) as well as 'Life of Brian'.
* My Hero
* Father Ted
* Chef

Haven`t seen Little Britain yet, but I hear good things...

I`ll probably be back to post more funny shows- comedy is my favourite tv fare.

 

[giovannimusica]

Re: The wurst humour...

rojo,

Have you listened to PDQ Bach's Concerto for Horn and Hardart or Oedipus Tex?

Peter Schikele never fails to make me split my side in laughter

It is humour on a grand scale...

Giovanni

 

[Gareth]

Re: The wurst humour...

How did he achieve making humour out of that music?

Ahhh Faulty Towers, didn't the chef commit suicide recently?

Ahhh, Monty Python, has to be one of the most stupidist movies that I have ever seen but I still find it funny

I liked the Idea with the coconuts, gets a good laugh into you thats for sure

Gareth.

 

[giovannimusica]

Re: The wurst humour...

gareth,

PDQBach aka Peter Schikele is in many respects a genius. I haven't lately been scouring the web for any of his recordings but I encourage you to look up Peter Schikele/PDQBach.

Giovanni

 

[Gareth]

Re: The worst humour...

I shall look him up....and why did you spell worst as wurst?

 

[rojo]

Re: The worst humour...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._Q._Bach

Here`s a link to info about PDQ Bach that may shed some light. I remember hearing some PDQ Bach years ago, where he played a really fast piece using a special keyboard, with different sounds? I haven`t listened to any since, which is a shame...not sure I`m even remembering correctly...

I have to say, I like humour from all kinds of places. But not everything is funny to me. I do find Seinfeld very funny, I also like My Name Is Earl, and I thought The Sketch Show was really funny. Here in Quebec there`s even a french version of The Sketch Show which is equally funny. (Un Gars, Une Fille and La Petite Vie are other funny local french shows.)

I`ll be back with my favourite english Canadian shows...

By the way, if anyone is interested, I made a post about Victor Borge a while back (Oct.?) if anyone is interested enough to look for it...

 

[giovannimusica]

Re: The worst humour...

Hi gareth,

I used wurst somewhat tongue in cheek since PDQBach capitalized on it - a wurst is a German Sausage - nothing at all like those vile things you get at a baseball stadium concession - there is also an album entitled *The Wurst of PDQBach*. Now, I am fond of those Danish sausages called Poelse. Oh, I almost forgot - What happened to the man who walked into a Muslim Bakery and asked for a Danish?

Since I'm Italian I can tell you this joke: There was once three guys (Swiss, French and Italian) who wagered on who could put up with the smell of a billygoat in an enclosed space - The Swiss went in to the booth - 5 minutes passed and he comes out gasping for air. The French proudly marched into the booth - 5 minutes, 10 minutes pass and he stumbles out blue in the face. The Italian jumps in - 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and then the billygoat comes out.

Giovanni

 

[Gareth]

Re: The worst humour...

Yeah I know Wurst is a sasuage.....as it is very similar to Boerewors....pronounced "borra vors" remember to roll the "r"s. Means farmers sasuage...it is what we had in S.A.

Hehe, are you saying that italians are THAT bad???

Gareth.

 

[rojo]

Re: The worst humour...

Ha- good joke, giovanni

Here are my fave Canadian comedy shows-

* Corner Gas- Canadian prairie humour with Brent Butt- even his name`s funny! The first season was hilarious
* Just For Laughs- stand-up comedians from around the world doing their stuff at the Montreal comedy festival
* This Hour Has 22 Minutes- comedy delivered in a news program-type style. Originally starred Rick Mercer, a big name in Canadian comedy. Went on to have his own show
* Made In Canada- Also with Rick Mercer. Pokes fun at the tv industry. High-brow-ish, subtle and very well done
* Royal Canadian Air Farce- originally a radio show; funny skits, sometimes political
* The Red Green Show- goofy, simple, northern humour

And here are some Canadian stand-up comedians that I find funny:

* Mike MacDonald
* Howie Mandel
* Dave Broadfoot

There are also a lot of french Canadian stand-up comedians that are funny that can be seen on Festival Juste Pour Rire, the equivalent to the english Just For Laughs show...

The thing is, sometimes one can see an episode of a show and it`s very funny, and then the next episode, not so much. It`s hard to find a comedy that is always funny...

Has anyone else seen these shows? Do you find any of them funny?

Btw, comedy is pretty much all I watch on tv...

 

[giovannimusica]

Re: The worst humour...

gareth,

It's just some humour, that's all. Have no fear - I'm not quitting my day job.

I love my job aka calling aka career.

Giovanni