The Comedy Cellar

To answer this question, one must realize the difference between these two eras depends on several factors: the type of humor, the time period in question, and the medium. Yesterdays comedians were dominated by canned laughter, and starchy hook lines, and dubious timing. Much of today’s comedians tend to be sophomoric and unfunny. The two comedy eras are basically the same, but with different brands of humor. Yesterday’s comedy tended to be drier, more precise, while today’s comedy is more punchy and broad.

Earlier comedians came on the heels of war and strife, and the ability to make people laugh was a far simpler task. It helped people to be able to handle grievous memories filled with horror and much sorrow. It allowed people to feel good again. People who had experienced harsh times made some of the best comedians.

Then traditional comedians changed; there was the lack of taste, decency and moral standards. These attributes were replaced by the vulgar, the foul mouth, and a multitude of curse words. Governments are attacked, people, no matter who you are, are ridiculed, morals, religions, standards, race, cultures, I could go on, are made fun of in the name of comedy. No one and nothing is safe from today’s comedian.

A lot of people prefer today’s comedian because he/she says things that people are thinking, but are afraid to say themselves. Today’s comedian tells the truth, no matter how brutally honest it is. Most of today’s comedians do not observe any sanctity. If it exists, it is a target of ridicule. Some people find this funny.

Today’s comedians rely on swearing like a drunken sailor as way of getting laughs, and the majority of their routines are crammed with vulgar, course words, as if dirty words are the routine. A lot of today’s comedians are too crude, too base and much too reliant on toilet humor, and after awhile, it becomes tedious. It is like they know nothing funny to say, so they fill the void with vulgarity.

Today’s comedians should take lessons from yesterday’s comedians. Yesterday’s comedians employed slapstick, shock, funny anecdotes, goofiness to create laughter, whereas today’s comedians employ vulgarity. Not only should the comedians take lessons from yesterday’s comedians, but the people who think today’s comedians are funny should step back and take a serious look at themselves.

I love to laugh, and good clean humor, to me, is funnier than listening to a comedian you cannot understand because he/she is constantly being bleeped. I do not believe in censorship, I do believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe in decency.

By: Elise St John

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It is difficult to choose which among all motion pictures may be categorized as the “Best Movies of All Time.” For one, there are really numerous movies made that may be described as the best. Two, there are several classifications or genres of motion pictures, and under each genre, there are already numerous movies that may be considered the best. There are several organizations or publications that have been determining which motion pictures may be considered the best ever. This is based on the results of various surveys or vote stacking conducted. While it is difficult to name the movies that are considered to be the greatest ever especially if such movies come from different genres or classification, let us focus on one genre only. Let’s take a look at three comedy films that have always been considered as the “Best Movies of All Time.”

“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is one of the best movies of all time. It was released in 1975, directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, produced by Michael White and Mark Forstater, and written and performed by Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, and Graham Chapman. “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” was actually inspired by the television program “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” The television series was such a hit which made its actors decide to come up with a movie. Such decision was made while they were resting after the series’ third season.

“Monty Python’s Life of Brian” is another film considered as one of the best movies of all time. This was, of course, the next project of Jones, Gilliam, Palin, Idle, Cleese and Chapman after the “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Produced by John Goldstone and released in 1979, “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” is about a Jew named Brian Cohen who lived during Jesus Christ’s time. The funny thing is that Cohen was mistakenly recognized as the Messiah.

In 1978, the comedy film “National Lampoon’s Animal House” was released. Up until now, such comedy film is considered as one of the best movies of all time. Directed by John Landis, produced by Matty Simmons and Ivan Reitman, and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller, the actors in the “National Lampoon’s Animal House” include Donald Sutherland, Cesare Danova, Thomas Hulce, Verna Bloom, John Vernon, Tim Matheson, and John Belushi. The gist of this comedy film evolves around a group of fraternity boys who always get into fights and become a challenge for their school administrators.

These are only three of the best comedy movies of all time. To add a couple of best films, “Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, and “City Lights,” starring Charlie Chaplin may also be considered as two of the best comedy movies of all time.

By: Kenny Leones

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Let’s start by explaining the art of comedy and what what kind of comedy we refer to in this article. We all know the commercial type of comedy, amusing to almost everyone, often exercised with slipping behind sofas, overexplicit jokes and punch-lines based on a script that has been reviewed, edited and reviewed again. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and with comedians like Jim Carrey and Jerry Seinfeld (after Seinfeld series) backing it up, what else can you do but laugh.

However what we are talking about when referring to Best Comedy Movies 2008, that we’ve had the delight of seeing a lot of in 2008, is the slightly more sophisticated comedy. Still goofy, by all means, but not limited to practical jokes or simplified by a too tight script. The comedy in it self is perhaps not always something that makes you laugh out loud or re-capping it to your friends, but rather makes you smile and remember the characters and story in it self. Less is about one funny actor, or theme and more is about the genius and flawfulness of the movie.

3 comedy movies of 2008 that fit perfectly to this category are:

- Son of Rambow – a comedy adventure to be fare and a story of two very different boys in old England who come together in filming Rambo First Blood. Brilliant story, great characters and actors and a lot of laughs. A must-see!

- Be Kind Rewind – Jack Black and Mos Def in a brotherly and slightly awkward duo, trying to film their own versions of hit movies like Ghost Busters, Driving Miss Daisy and Lion King, after accidentally destroying all video tapes in their video store. Genius effects and meaningless plot, nonetheless a blast to watch.

- Semi Pro – Will Ferrell at his best. As the owner and coach of a basketball team, Will’s character JAckie Moon is a self-centered grown up baby who still lives on a one hit wonder called Love Me Sexy. It’s original and although it’s redundant at times, the story shows of uniqueness and superb dialogues.

For a top 10 listing of the best comedy movies 2008 visit TotallyTop10.com.

By: Sven Salmonsson

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Anyone who watched CHEERS eagerly anticipated FRASIER. It lasted eleven seasons, the same as CHEERS, making it one of the most successful spin-offs in television. Dr. Frasier Crane was the same pompous psychiatrist joined by an equally pretentious brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Frasier is making a new start after divorcing Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), moving home to Seattle with a new radio call-in program. He plans to be the suave single man, but a kink comes with the presence of his father, Martin (John Mahoney). The great mystery is how Martin, a down-to-earth retired cop, could have been part of a team that raised such snobbish sons.

Frasier is forced by guilt to house his father and his dog, Eddie, who manages to upstage everyone. Then Daphne (Jane Leeves) also becomes a part of the household as Martin’s physical therapist. Roz (Peri Gilpin) works with Frasier on his radio show, but they all become entwined in each other’s lives.

As Frasier and Niles strive to manipulate others to better their lives, it seems to always fail, causing great humiliation and hilarity. Their efforts to outclass each other is often the theme with the same funny, sad results. Frasier constantly tries to assert his ownership and tastes in his apartment, only to be foiled by Martin, Daphne and Eddie.

Other characters add more tension and laughs. “Bulldog” Briscoe (Dan Butler) is the sports show host for the station that is a constant thorn in Frasier and Roz’s flesh. Frazier’s less-than-ethical agent, Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris) becomes more of a problem than help. Many other additions occur to add comedy and drama.

Too bad Kelsey Grammer’s new show BACK TO YOU with Patricia Heaton didn’t take off. I thought it had great potential. What will he try next?

By: Archie Harris

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