Jul 20
by George Marlony

If you wish to hone your skills as a joke teller, in order to sharpen your wit and keep a nice database of great jokes for any occasion in your head, it’s a good idea to, well, do a little studying, you might say. You’d be surprised how many new ideas can come your way while just flipping through a humor book or two. Here’s where to start.

The Classic Comedians

The classic stand up comics have put out some interesting work, both as biographers and in simply collecting their favorite jokes. Recommended would be How to Tell Dirty Jokes and Influence People by Lennie Bruce as far as non-fiction goes, while anything with jokes by Rodney Dangerfield or Don Rickles is fantastic for humor’s sake. Anything by Steven Wright is gold, too.

Niche Joke Books

The goal here is to discover those diamonds in the rough. Most joke books are three hundred recycled yuks that were barely funny the very first time you heard them, but there are some good niche joke books out there. 100% Blond Jokes is like an encyclopedia of jokes you could rephrase and make use of to possess a laugh at the expense of the foolish folks a highly effective life!

Comedy on DVD

This is often helpful for studying delivery. The golden rule is that: The joke is is what’s funny, not you. A bad comic can ruin a good joke, but it’s the rare comic who can save a bad one. Check out a few of the works of Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby for some excellent delivery. Mitch Hedberg is another one who has mastered delivery and can make the most of some pretty corny (but still quite funny) material. It’s all in the delivery, so study up.

About the Author:
Jul 8
by Bertie Smith

On occasion when a man not a purple dwarf but a man, needs to fill his belly, can head outside, when this happens we can go to shops and buy food , animals also need to feed themselves and what makes the effort of satisfying the biological needs of an animal’s belly is that it sends signals of a vast, impatient, hollow demand known as hunger pangs which are easier to submit when there is a choice of tasty and satisfying takeaway food available. Smurfs however do not need to eat as they as just purple and strange.

What makes humans equal to all other plants and animals on earth is the requisite to continue to meet their body’s demands to fill my belly or to die. Plants also have bellies although arranged structural different that animals. Animals, of course have bellies. Animal bellies are usually found right under the food pipe sometimes called the windpipe but just a pipe taking food and air into the animal’s body.

When your body is screaming to be filled you can go to a pizza shop or call up on the phone and have pizza delivered to your house which is as simple as visiting the shop and casually saying, fill my belly and I will pay your bill. Or you can be creative and go to an Indian takeaway and ask politely to have a menu from which to choose which foods to satisfy your body’s request to fill my belly or suffer.

The choice of takeaway foods seems to be limited to French takeaway, Indian takeaway or Italian pizza. These nice foods are already cooked and ready to eat, they can always be picked up at the diner or takeaway before heading back to your living space or you can just get your meal delivered if you choose pizza. There are some restaurants that offer choices other than pizza that also deliver as well as offering different takeaway foods they sometimes sell drinks or purple animals.

If your choice is one of personal convenience, in all cases, your body’s mandate for you to fill my belly will be met easily and with little exertion from you than the use of your mouth and a healthy digestive system to handle the tasty takeaway food, and of course your hands unless you’re a smurf then you just use your purple magic power. The undeniable fact is that an animal has to eat and can’t just go around asking others to fill my belly. That job is dependent on the animal to fill his own belly, imagine a human animal going up to a total stranger and saying fill my belly. The request might be seen as a provocation to violence or to rejection. But if that same human would go to a Chinese takeaway for takeaway food, the result would be to be given some of the most delicious food that would certainly satisfy the “fill my belly” request.

About the Author:
Jun 26
by Hank Evans

Without a doubt, the television is one of the greatest advancements in technology. Most people these days cannot live without a TV; it has indeed become more of a necessity, especially among the younger generation. It has to be made clear, though, that despite its many benefits, the TV comes without risks as there are quite a lot of TV shows that are not exactly child-friendly. It therefore becomes of utmost importance for the parents to keep a close watch of their children especially when it comes to TV watching.

Watching TV can breed positive values as it enhances cooperation and encourages tolerance and respect. At the same time, however, since watching TV means fewer active moments, it can make one prone to obesity. Aside from that, it can expose kids to violence and drug abuse, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and sex.

In order for your kids to be able to adapt the positive values that come with TV watching, make it a family habit. Try looking for shows that are child-friendly and family oriented so the whole family can gather together in the living room. Encourage your kids to pick the shows you can watch together as a family, and then encourage discussion among family members about the show.

You can’t begin to imagine the tons of shows that the whole family can enjoy. Watching comedy shows is really a fun way to bond together. It makes the children more cooperative, and it promotes a better relationship between parents and children.

If your children are experiencing some degree of pain, just turn on the TV and switch the channel to something funny. You’ll be surprised to see that your kids will be able to better cope with the pain. It would really be nice if your kids look forward to family TV day as much as you do.

It really does not matter what kind of shows your children choose. They can watch movies that even grown ups will enjoy. The important thing is that you can be together and laugh together as a family.

If you want your kids to have a healthy disposition in life, let them watch comedy shows of good quality with you. Because it relieves stress, your kids are able to develop a positive outlook in life.

Comedy shows do bring families together, and you are very much encouraged to watch these shows with your children. These shows will not only get them laughing, but teach valuable lessons. By and large the one lesson that you can get by watching comedy shows on TV is to lighten up and enjoy life.

About the Author:
Jun 26
by Hank Evans

Newhart (1982-1990): Author Dick (Bob Newhart) and wife Joanna left city life behind when they bought Vermont’s Stratford Inn, but their new bucolic setting was hardly boring, thanks to a lineup of small-town loonies, including daffy caretaker George and hillbilly handyman Larry, his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl.

Family Guy (1999-present): The naughty and pop culture-obsessed ‘Family Guy’ is loaded with some of TV’s best characters: offensive patriarch Peter, Brian the sauced dog and Peter Lorre-sound-a-like baby Stewie, whose botched matricidal missions are second in hilarity only to his perpetually thwarted plots for world domination.

The Golden Girls (1985-1992): Sex and the city? Before Carrie and pals were heating up NYC, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia were painting the town red in Miami. Sure, viewers normally don’t want to think about their grannies getting their freak on, but the charm of these golden gals was that they didn’t act their ages.

Green Acres (1965-1971): CBS had its own genre of rural sitcoms with ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’ ‘Petticoat Junction’ and ‘Acres,’ a standout for surreal antics involving TV-watching pig Arnold, the Monroe brothers (one of whom was female) and leads Oliver and Lisa, who still wore their fancy city duds after moving to their Hooterville farm.

Arrested Development (2003-2006): Bluths, we hardly knew ye. Three seasons of dysfunctional family hilarity and banana-stand shenanigans weren’t nearly enough. The show gave us GOB, Buster and Michael Cera — and, at last, a forum for Jason Bateman to showcase his comedy chops.

The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966): One of the first shows about show biz revolved around a variety series writer. That meant tons of comic storylines, which, combined with Van Dyke’s physical gags and Mary Tyler Moore’s sassy humor, inspired many a future sitcom.

Will & Grace (1998-2006): Sure, gay lawyer Will and his best friend/ex-girlfriend Grace were likable enough. But it was Will’s self-obsessed, Cher-lovin’ pal Jack and Grace’s boozy, equally self-obsessed receptionist Karen who provided the laugh-out-loud scenes; fans even suggested renaming the series ‘Jack & Karen.’

Maude (1972-1978): Edith Bunker’s cousin (and Archie’s nemesis) was a “compromisin’, enterprisin’, anything but tranquilizing” feminist who proved to be both hilarious and groundbreaking, as she and hubby Walter tackled alcoholism, nervous breakdowns, and, in the most controversial episode, abortion.

About the Author:
Jun 16
by Arthur N. Miles

Gelotology is the study of laughter, and as such can involve a consideration of the philosophical bases for humor. But gelotology is mainly concerned with the act of laughing itself, however, and in particular all its psychological and physiological aspects. Though gelotological research has been conducted, its primary motivation is of a therapeutic and practical nature.

For theories of laughter and humor in general, we remain with the philosophers and other such “cultural thinkers.” Whatever humor is, it is generally agreed to be a gift from God, a blessing, for it is tough to imagine a life without having laughter, which is to say a person without a sense of humor. And as hard as it would be to explain just what humor is, it’s even harder to explain why it is - although the two might well be related. For instance, some evolutionary psychologists view humor as a means of sexual selection by females, as an indicator of other traits, for instance intelligence, that do confer obvious survival benefits.

Indeed, intelligence seems somehow intricately linked to a sense of humor - as in the old line about “he who laughs last…thinks slowest.” Humor appears rather complicated, but specific aspects seem universal: An incongruity, a misattribution, even feelings of superiority. All these require a human being (often regarded as the only animal that laughs), a pattern-recognizing sense-making creature.

What makes something funny often goes against our preconceived notions (incongruity), or allows us to make light of serious issues (misattribution), or can even be due to a feeling of advantage (superiority). Thus we laugh if somebody shows up for work wearing a suit and tie with his pants’ zipper unzipped; we find the sight of a man falling out of a building flailing crazily, as if trying to fly, strangely funny; we may even snicker at a homeless panhandler mumbling to himself over a can of beer.

To find more interesting articles such as this one, visit www.typearticles.com.

About the Author:
Apr 7
by John Muller

So, everyone at work thinks you are hilarious! People at parties always flock to you so you can tell them a new joke. In school, you won the class clown trophy and you are totally proud of it. Terrific! Now you want to learn how to make money being a Comedian. Is it time to take your funniness to a new level?

Unless you become part of an improvisational group, before you can get on stage, you really need to write some material. There are plenty of places that will happily let you make a fool of yourself, because even if you are terrible, the audience will still have fun, because they will enjoy your plight.

Hopefully that happens often. If it does, then perhaps, with an investment of time and the willingness to take a lot of abuse, you will make it in stand up. The business of humor is not usually a simple one. Making someone laugh at a party is easy. Finding material that sets you apart from the thousands of other comics, may not be quite as easy as you think.

Humor is an interesting topic. Can you determine what makes people laugh? It really should not be hard, but for some reason it really is. People at parties or at work already like you, so when you say something funny, they will respond in kind. However, when customers are actually looking to be entertained, you had better have at least a few gems come running out of your mouth or your set will not be a pleasant one.

With the mass appeal of viral marketing, it is pretty easy to record yourself and place it on one of the many sites that show videos. People are constantly searching for humorous items, so if you are funny, they will find you. If you have interesting opinions on current events or the crisis of the day, your viral audience will let you know.

You must build your own persona. If you try to be a copy of another comic, you will fail. There is only one Chris Rock and you are not him. Profanity may get you a laugh, but it is not the way to become a professional comic. People laugh when they are surprised. So, surprise them with a perfectly chosen nasty word and do it infrequently. That has some merit.

When creating your material, try not to spend the entire time talking about drugs. You must be current and that concept is very eighty’s. It is all right to discuss politics and religion, but be careful. Remember, your goal is to get at least half of the audience to like you!!

What should make you nervous is whether or not you are prepared to fail. When you fail, you get better. That sounds silly, but it is the only technique that allows you to get better. So, in conclusion, write good material about how you think the world should be versus how it actually is. Add your thoughts on how to make it better without being the village idiot. Practice handling rejection or at least include the pain you felt after you hit on that guy or girl at the bar and they laughed at you!! Then you may be prepared to get your new career on the way.

About the Author:
Mar 10
by Hank Evans

Murphy Brown (1988-1998): A modern-day Mary Richards (if Mary had done a stint at the Betty Ford clinic and been an unmarried mom), Murphy (Candice Bergen) was a tough TV reporter who loved, but was annoyed by, her colleagues … not to mention Dan Quayle, who infamously railed against Murphy’s single-mom status.

Sex and the City (1998-2004): Inspiring countless copycats of sex columnist Carrie’s fab designer lifestyle, ‘SATC’ ultimately owed its success to one of the best female ensembles in tube history, with Sarah Jessica Parker and pals just as adept at physical comedy as they were at dropping those naughty one-liners.

30 Rock (2006-present): We already knew Tina Fey was a brilliant comedy writer, and this ‘Saturday Night Live’ spoof also proves what a master of deadpan Alec Baldwin is. But it takes a true classic to mine with such deftness the humor of Kenneth the Page and wild comedian Tracy Morgan.

Frasier (1993-2004): Cliff and Norm seemed more obvious choices for ‘Cheers’ spin-offs, but it was Kelsey Grammer’s uptight shrink who got his own sharply written sitcom. The Crane fellas made for one competitive yet loving family, which helped the show become the most Emmy-winning series (with 37) in history.

The Office (2005-present): Some argue the original series is better, but for our Schrute Bucks, it’s the Dunder Mifflin gang that most hilariously captures the monotony of ‘Office’ life. Michael Scott over David Brent? Yep. Dwight over Gareth? Indeed. And not since Sam & Diane have we been treated to a sitcom couple as hot as Jim & Pam.

I Love Lucy (1951-1957): A comedy so classic it still goes down as smoothly as a bottle of Vitameatavegamin, the first major TV ratings hit owed its success to Lucille Ball’s gift for physical comedy, whether re-enacting the Marx Brothers’ mirror scene with Harpo, wrapping candy with Ethel or selling that “health” tonic.

M*A*S*H (1972-1983): From Hawkeye’s womanizing to Klinger’s obsession with getting a Section Eight, a constant barrage of wisecracks and juvenile pranks was just what the doctor ordered for these Korean War army surgeons, whose gallows humor was the only way they, and viewers, could deal with the traumas of war.

Seinfeld (1990-1998): A show about nothing? Nah, it was about everything in the lives of four self-involved New Yorkers. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, because no one but Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer — and show co-creator Larry David — could have turned minutiae into nine seasons of comedic brilliance.

About the Author:
Mar 10
by Hank Evans

A stand-up comedian is a performer who performs for a live audience with the aid of a microphone. To become one, you should have the ability to make an audience laugh. You have to be smart, witty and full of guts to be able to go onstage and create a comical atmosphere.

To be a professional comedian the first thing that you should remember is to always carry a notepad wherever you go. Write down every idea that will come across your mind, or perhaps use a voice recorder. Do not assume that you can recall random ideas all the time.

Although you are supposed to write down all the funny things you come across with, it should not delimit you as a performer. As a professional, it is important to deliver lines naturally. Study your lines well, including the ad lib before you take on the stage. Nothing can be more embarrassing than to stay and stay not knowing what to say or do.

Another must do before taking the stage is to know the type of audience you will be performing for. This way you’ll be able to adjust your style and your antics accordingly. One thing that you must not do is acting like you are better than them; this only creates a negative impression.

Keep in mind that even before you start opening your mouth, your audience may already have formed an opinion about you, but don’t let it intimidate you. Approach the crowd with extreme confidence but without appearing showy. Take control of the situation and make your audience feel relaxed and comfortable.

It usually happens with professional comedians to have performances on the same location many times during the week. If you happen to experience this, too, just make sure that you have something different to show every time in order to keep your audience out of boredom. There are different styles that you can assume, so don’t be afraid to try one style to another. Practice making a joke out of anything as this helps you to develop your sense of humor.

Always take control of your audience and avoid having it the other way around because you will never get it back and it will be damaging on your part. If something is not working, move on and make adjustments on the spot to fit your audience.

Pursuing a career as a comedian is not a joke. Practicing and learning how to deliver a joke with the right timing are very significant to a good comedian. You have to be prepared because it is going to be a long way for you to go and the pay sometimes is not as rewarding as the effort. Stay funny and know what makes your audience laugh; then, you will be fulfilling your goals soon.

About the Author:
Mar 10
by Hank Evans

Internet connection is what you need so you could watch the best comedy shows online for free without paying monthly bills for cable and satellite services. There are many popular websites online where you can download comedy shows, movies, or television shows for free. You have to be careful also because not all websites are legitimate and legal.

There are many advantages of watching great comedy shows. By watching comedy shows that make you laugh out loud releases stress and improves one?s capacity in dealing with problems and in problem solving skills. It may also enhance positive outlook in life.

It is absolutely wonderful to watch comedy shows online but it would be even more so if you can do it for free, 100% no hidden costs. Indeed what else can you ask for when you get to receive the health benefits of laughing out loud and not having to pay for it?

When you find the right comedy shows to brighten up your day, you can expect to feel more relaxed; not only that, you can also experience an increase in your heart rate. This basically means that you will no longer have to engage in aerobic exercises or anything of the sort just to keep your blood pumping.

Mentally, watching comedy shows helps to clear the mind and revive the spirit. Laughing out loud is one great exercise that targets every aspect of the human being — the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual.

Approaching life in a more relaxed way is one way of getting rid of all the stress that we encounter in our daily lives. One of the most powerful tools to your daily moods and emotional state is a good sense of humor.

Laughter benefits health by letting us get some rest. Feeling relaxed after having a good laugh is a natural sleeping pill because people tends to drift off peacefully after having a good laugh. Positive feelings caused by laughter crowd the worry right out of the brain.

So if you feel stressed out, why not try this easy and fun solution. Watch the best comedy shows online with family or friends and have a great setup for laughter, feeling good and you will achieve positive effects by finding yourself more lighthearted, silly, and giving yourself and those around you more to laugh about.

About the Author:
Feb 15
by Robet Jay

Living in the country we have come to expect seeing different species of animals. Deer occasionally grace our presence. Of course, once we are seen by them they quickly disappear. One day as I was looking out a back window there were 7 or so wild turkey. After flying away, they have not returned. Many different birds come to our three feeders. Sunflower seed is spread on the ground for the doves and squirrels. Cardinals and smaller birds also search for food on the ground but the smaller ones mostly enjoy the feeders with their perches. We started throwing it on the ground to keep squirrels from eating the plastic off our original bird feeders. Now we have “squirrel proof” feeders that do a good job of keeping them from the food contained within.

Living in the country there is plenty of land for all God’s creatures. A wooded area begins within thirty feet of the rear of our house providing food and protection for wildlife living there.

What we didn’t expect happened early one morning in the summer. With me being a sound sleeper, I could not imagine what my wife was saying at 2 in the morning. My glasses with thick lenses were on a table beside the bed, where I had left them before I laid down to sleep. A ceiling fan was on chasing the heat away. Barely awake I could see something attached to the fan, circling with the fan blades. Once, the object made oblong path around the fan. Soon, by wife had turned on the light, my glasses were on and we saw a bird following the path of the fan blades. I quickly closed the bedroom door to keep the critter from the rest of the house.

With the light on we realized it was a bat! Why didn’t our cats alert us? The first task was to get rid of the bat. It was indeed following the path of the fan blades. Taking the screen off the windows we tried, lamely I might add, to divert its course with pillows and out the window. This was not working. I had folded the curtains over the top. Once, when the bat landed on the top of the curtains, he “walked” up the inside of the folds of the curtain. A fascinating site this would have been under different circumstances.

Obviously, this method was not working. A towel might work. My wife opened the door with the bat still following the flight of the fan blades. Returning with old towels, my wife and I started making attempts to again divert the bat outside the window, his freedom and ours. I didn’t realize how high our ceiling was, although they are only 8 feet or so. The bat was evading our feeble attempts. I jumped, with the length of the towel spread out, and missed. Another attempt, nothing! Finally, my wife said, “you caught him.” Now what do I do? Do I take him, still wrapped up, to the outside? Do I open the towel and hope he flies away? I opted for throwing the towel out the window and hoping he flew away.

With the windows now closed we opened the bedroom door to our two cats’ right there wondering why we had locked them out! Lying back down, it was difficult to return to slumber land.

The next morning I went outside to retrieve the towel, wondering what I would do if the bat was still wrapped inside. Fortunately, he was gone. We are still wondering how he came into the house and chose our bedroom.

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