Podcast Summary
The Surprising Courage of Babe: People's perceptions of us can be wrong, and we might surprise others with our actions. Don't judge based on appearances.
Humor is subjective and people may find different things funny for various reasons. The title of a story or joke might not be funny to everyone initially, but the context or the person delivering it could change that. The story of "Babe," a handsome but frustrated man who wants to be a fighter, illustrates this point. Despite his brothers and boss's perceptions of him as a dandy, Babe sees the injustice in the profit distribution of their criminal enterprise and waits for an opportunity to act. When Samuel, one of his brothers, stands up to their boss, Ted Healy, and is held back, Babe seizes the moment and joins the gang. However, the humor in this story comes from the unexpected twist that Babe, who was previously seen as too pretty and unsuited for the rough criminal world, turns out to be the one with the courage to stand up to their boss. This shows that people's perceptions of them can be wrong, and that they might surprise others with their actions. Ultimately, the takeaway is that we should not judge people based on appearances or initial impressions, and that everyone has the potential to be funny or surprising in their own way.
The pursuit of fame and vanity can lead to drastic changes: Babe Horowitz's transformation from a vaudevillian to 'Curly' of the Three Stooges illustrates how the desire for fame can result in drastic changes to one's appearance and life, even if it means going against initial nature or values.
Vanity and the desire for fame can lead individuals to make drastic changes in their appearance and lives, even if it means going against their initial nature or values. This is exemplified in the story of Babe Horowitz, who transformed himself from a handsome vaudevillian into the famous "Curly" of the Three Stooges by chopping off his luxurious hair and mustache. The twist of his failed Broadway audition and his unwavering confidence despite the outcome is a common source of humor in the text. The Three Stooges' comedy, in turn, relies on surprise and self-deprecation, with the characters often finding themselves in unexpected situations and poking fun at their own shortcomings.
The Appeal of Slapstick Comedy in the Late 1930s and Early 1940s: Slapstick comedy, relying on physical humor and unexpected situations, saved studios during the late 1930s and early 1940s with acts like the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello.
The humor of classic acts like the Three Stooges and the appeal of slapstick comedy can be difficult to explain and often divides opinion, but it was a revolutionary form of comedy that resonated greatly with audiences during its time, particularly during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Slapstick comedy, born from silent movies, relied on physical humor and unexpected situations to elicit laughter, and acts like the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello saved their respective studios with their popularity. Today, humor is more character-driven and cerebral, but understanding the appeal of slapstick requires recognizing its historical context and the appeal of the absurd and unexpected.
Situational Slapstick: Unexpected Events Leading to Humor: Slapstick comedy, whether planned or spontaneous, provides relief and shared laughter through observing others' misfortunes. Situational slapstick, as seen in Dirty Jobs and Laurel and Hardy, relies on unexpected events and the dynamic between the mastermind and the victim.
Slapstick comedy comes in various forms, whether it's well-planned routines or spontaneous moments that catch us off guard. Mike's experience on Dirty Jobs showcases situational slapstick, where unexpected events lead to humor. Laurel and Hardy, a famous slapstick duo, also illustrate this dynamic with Laurel as the mastermind behind the gags and Hardy as the hapless victim. The appeal of slapstick lies in the release it provides, even if it involves seeing someone get hurt. We laugh at both the person spilling the soup and the one getting it spilled on them, as long as we're not the ones in the hot seat. Our shared laughter and personal satisfaction in observing others' misfortunes add another layer to the comedy experience. Mike, Chuck, and Ricky's shared history from their high school days adds a nostalgic and personal connection to their appreciation of slapstick comedy.
The Power of Instant Feedback in Comedy: Comedy thrives on instant feedback, whether through morning announcements or social media platforms like TikTok. Creators need to grab viewers' attention quickly and keep them engaged, potentially leading to a shrinking attention span.
Comedy, whether it's through morning announcements at school or on social media platforms like TikTok, relies heavily on instant feedback and reactions from an audience. During morning announcements in high school, the speakers would try to add humor to their announcements, but sometimes the reaction was negative, as Chuck discovered when he made a non-sequitur about a baseball game. Today, with the rise of TikTok and other social media platforms, anyone can create and share comedic content, and receive instant feedback in the form of likes, comments, and shares. However, the short attention span required for TikTok content can be a double-edged sword, as creators need to grab viewers' attention quickly and keep them engaged, potentially leading to a shrinking collective attention span and a focus on the punchline rather than the journey.
Finding success through unique character or persona: Comedians like Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, and Steve Carell found success by developing distinct on-stage personas, which they later translated into other mediums. However, the line between reality and performance can blur, as seen with Stephen Colbert.
Successful comedians and performers often find their footing by developing a distinct character or persona on stage, which can then be translated into other mediums like sitcoms or films. This was evident in the careers of comedians like Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, and Steve Carell, who all found success by honing their unique comedic styles and personas. However, the line between reality and performance can sometimes blur, as seen in the case of Stephen Colbert, who transitioned from being a satirical character on The Colbert Report to becoming a legitimate late-night host. Ultimately, comedy thrives on reactions and interactions between performers and audiences, making the ability to adapt and play off each other a crucial skill for successful comedians.
Unexpected humor from uncomfortable situations: Embracing the unexpected in uncomfortable situations can lead to genuine humor and positivity
Genuine and uncomfortable situations can lead to humor, even if it wasn't intended to be a comedy. Mike Rowe's show "Dirty Jobs" became famous for this reason, as viewers trusted the show to show them the truth and found humor in the central figure's constant discomfort. Similarly, in movies, unexpected moments of humor can come from anticlimaxes or slapstick gags. For instance, in "Mad Bad World," the funniest moment comes when Evan Marin slips on a banana peel and falls flat on her back, causing everyone to laugh, including Spencer Tracy who is in the hospital ward. In "The Shining," the anticlimax of Scatman Crothers getting killed by Jack Nicholson as soon as he arrives to help is a shocking and darkly humorous moment. Ultimately, letting go of our guard and embracing the unexpected can lead to genuine humor and positivity.
Unexpected and violent moments in media: Media's unexpected and violent moments add suspense, excitement, and humor if context allows, but the line between comedy and tragedy can be blurred.
The unexpected and violent moments in media, whether in movies or television, can create a sense of suspense and excitement for viewers. These moments, even if they involve harm to characters, can be humorous if the context allows for it. For example, the Three Stooges' physical comedy relies on violence that is exaggerated and non-life-threatening. Similarly, in films like "The Shining" and "Deep Blue Sea," unexpected violence adds to the tension and keeps viewers engaged. However, it's important to note that the context and tone of the media are crucial in determining whether such moments are appropriate and funny. In real life, we may not find the same humor in accidents or mishaps, but the line between comedy and tragedy can be blurred in media. Ultimately, the surprise and unpredictability of these moments can make for memorable and entertaining experiences.
Unexpected moments and shared laughter: Embrace the unexpected and the power of laughter to bring people together. Shared laughter creates memorable experiences and can be contagious and cathartic.
Unscripted moments and shared laughter can lead to some of the most memorable experiences. The speaker shared a story about an incident at an alligator farm where an overloaded boat caused an upside-down airboat, releasing alligators into the water and destroying their equipment. Despite the chaos, the speaker was able to capture the moment on camera and include it in their show. The speaker also reminisced about instances where they had laughed so hard they fell out of their seat, such as watching "Blazing Saddles" and "Monty Python's Meaning of Life." These moments of shared laughter were contagious and cathartic, and the speaker emphasized that certain plays or performances can elicit guaranteed laughs. Overall, the speaker emphasized the importance of embracing the unexpected and the power of laughter to bring people together.
The human element in comedy: Authentic human moments add charm and relatability to comedy, making performers more endearing to audiences.
The authentic human moments, like actors cracking up during a performance or behind-the-scenes bloopers, add genuine charm and relatability to comedy. These moments make the performers more human and endearing to the audience. This was a revelation for the speaker during a memorable experience watching Tim Conway and Harvey Korman's comedic skits, where the genuine laughter made the performance even more enjoyable. This concept applies to all forms of comedy, whether it's live on stage or in recorded media. The human element, such as a tickle in the throat or a well-timed interruption, can elevate a performance and create a stronger connection with the audience.
Quick thinking and collaboration in comedy writing: During live performances, comedians rely on quick thinking and teamwork to keep the audience engaged. Preparation and staying calm under pressure are crucial.
The process of creating comedy involves quick thinking and adaptation when a joke doesn't land. During a live performance, the writers huddle to come up with the next joke, and having a reliable comedian like David Spade on the team can help keep the audience engaged. The importance of listenership in podcasts was also discussed, and memories of past collaborations, such as a flea medicine commercial turned sitcom, were shared. In the commercial, Ricky directed William Shatner, who was intimidating but ultimately professional. The experience showcased the importance of preparation and staying calm under pressure.
Directing challenging actors: Experienced directors can still struggle to effectively direct certain actors, like William Shatner, and the appropriateness of classic comedy shows for modern children raises questions about parental responsibility.
Directing certain actors can be challenging, even for experienced directors. The anecdote shared about working with William Shatner illustrates this point. Shatner's performance was subpar, and the director felt helpless to improve it. Despite having directed numerous films, including Lifetime movies, there are some actors who cannot be directed effectively. The discussion also touched on the appropriateness of classic comedy shows like the 3 Stooges and cartoons for modern children. With increasing violence depicted in media, it raises questions about what age is appropriate for children to be exposed to such content. The speaker shared an example of his own experience introducing his son to the 3 Stooges and the challenges of balancing entertainment and parental responsibility.
Exploring the Complexity of Children's Exposure to Violent Cartoons: Parents must balance the historical significance and comedic value of classic cartoons against their potential inappropriateness for modern children, considering each child's maturity and sensitivity.
The appropriateness of exposing children to violent cartoons, such as Tom and Jerry, The Three Stooges, or Looney Tunes, is a complex issue. On one hand, these cartoons were a significant part of past generations' childhoods, and they helped shape our sense of humor. The use of classical music, exaggerated violence, and the understanding that it's not real can contribute to children's appreciation for slapstick comedy. On the other hand, some scenes might be considered inappropriate by today's standards, and it's essential to consider the potential impact on children. Ultimately, parents must decide what is suitable for their kids based on their maturity levels and individual sensitivities. As for the generation growing up today, their experiences are shaped by different media, like TikTok videos, which may present new challenges and opportunities for parents.
Humor and comedy evolve with each generation: Speakers discussed the changing sensitivities towards humor and their own experiences with bombing, emphasizing the importance of adapting and connecting with the audience, and learning from failures
Humor and comedy, much like music, evolve with each generation. The speakers expressed their concern that the humor and shows that were popular during their time might not resonate with today's youth. They mentioned examples like "Fish Called Wanda" and "Blazing Saddles," which might not be made today due to changing sensitivities towards certain topics. They also discussed their own experiences with bombing in front of audiences and how those experiences taught them valuable lessons. Despite the uncertainty of what humor will endure, they agreed that it's important to adapt and connect with the audience. As Chuck put it, "You gotta take the audience along with you." Ultimately, the speakers emphasized the importance of resilience and the ability to learn from failures, whether in comedy or in life.
The power of humor and perseverance: When given the chance to make someone laugh, embrace the moment and persevere through discomfort for a rewarding and memorable experience.
When given the opportunity to make someone laugh, even if it means putting yourself on the line or taking risks, it's worth it. Ricky shared a story about Bill Burr, a comedian who turned a hostile audience around by being brutally honest and unapologetic. Though uncomfortable at first, Bill's performance ultimately resulted in a hysterical experience for both him and the audience. This illustrates the power of humor and the importance of persevering in the face of adversity. So, if you're ever in a situation where you have the chance to entertain, don't hesitate to take it. Embrace the moment and see what unfolds. After all, the gift of laughter is one of the most valuable things we can share.
