Why America laughs (so much!)

America pursues the art and act of laughing, sometimes relentlessly. The motivations that make one laugh are numerous and varied. Have you ever wondered why some laugh at one thing, and others do not? (As a topical columnist, I worry about this a lot, most comics do) My thesis postulates: "The spark that ignites laughter pivots on one's personal perspective." So, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" gives us a start. I believe one's sense of humor resides in one's funnybone! What strikes you as funny? Why?

Here's my comic manifesto: From A to Z: Why America laughs so much! Some groupings are coincidentally organic, some are mine:

America laughs...

a) Because, have you checked out the rest of the world lately? {See: The We're Not As Dumb As We Look Dept.}

b) Because so far, there’s no law saying we can’t! {If they pass this law, there's gonna be a real big fight!}

c) Because inside a group of laughing people is a safe place! {The first big, unidentified laugher, lets everyone know its OK!}

d) Because someone losing their dignity is the great equalizer! {Bloopers and out-takes get incredibly high ratings!}

e) Because we like to laugh at America's daily freak show! {Listen to Howard Stern or Michael Jackson or Justice Scalia!}

f) Because freedom of action begets some foolishness! {Remember Rodney King and those stupid criminal videos!}

g) Because futility will always be funny! {See the Chicago Cubs, or France's Army}

h) Look at our nutty leader and all our politicians! {Bush Jr. and his mouth and Cheney and his shotgun!}

America laughs...

i) Because we like to see bullies get their come-uppance! {See Ken Lay or Pete Rose and/or Richard Nixon}

j) Because laughs are a moneymaking industry. We like those here! {See "Blazing Saddles" or "Caddyshack" or " The Holy Grail"}

k) Because corporations can’t sell laughs like candy bars! {Fun has a short shelf life, but is always in steady demand!}

l) Because laughter is healing, and it's cheaper than medicine! {Just ask Dr. Norman Cousins or Dr. Phil or Dr. Ruth!}

m) Take our mothers-in-law…Please! {Because some folks still fondly remember Vaudeville!}

n) Because it’s easy to amuse those who are bored! {Explains why we still read all those bad e-mail jokes!}

o) Because there are more jokes now, than at any time in history! {Stupid information highway!}

p) Ever been to Vegas? {What happens there, stays there...even the laughs!}

q) Because, out of tragedy, sometimes comes comedy! {Watch the Jerry Springer Show or Joan Rivers!}

America laughs...

r) Because haircuts here are not to be believed! {Friends, don't let friends go Mohawk!}

s) Because irony really can be funny! {Witness Rush Limbaugh's multiple arrests}

t) Because, by now, we’ve all seen Paris Hilton’s video! {Wow, what an incredible information highway!}

u) Look, just look, how we treat our damn pets! {In 2005, we spent more than $200 million on kitty treats!}

v) Look at our underwear! {Are they thongs, or boxers, or briefs or nada?}

w) Because we have some really good marijuana here! {I can't remember the example that goes here!}

x) Because we still remember Bill Clinton! {..."When it absolutely, positively, has to be funny!"...}

y) Because if we didn’t laugh at today’s world, we’d cry! {Laughing is the yin to bad news' yang!}

z) Because they who laugh best, laugh last! {Keep reading my articles @TheCheers.org}

The old sailor's saying goes: "Any port in a storm!" and it works here, too. My truth is: It really doesn't make much difference what makes you laugh. What is vital is actually getting to laugh! And laugh often! Getting to laugh often is a very good cardio workout, and everybody could use some of that! But, then, I wear big Red Shoes, so some of my viewpoints might be slightly skewed!

Anyhow, all of this is why I think America laughs so much!

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USA says on 2012-02-11 10:02:22 about IWDyPsNUshSwwHX EemnIT Gripping! I would like to listen to the experts` views on the subject!!....

nai nai says on 2009-08-06 10:15:15 about i dont thik that the ammericans are that funny the thing is that they are very freeky

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lue says on 2006-09-11 03:54:27 about to: Laughing to hard... I've had the priviledge of visiting 22 countries and cannot communicate loudly enough that in America, we have so many options, that laughing at ourselves is one way to keep the bad things under control. If you think the Iranian people can laugh at the foilbles of it's secular and non secular government officials, you miss my point. But thanks for reading my stuff.

Laughing too hard... says on 2006-09-11 03:46:02 about One more thing... Sorry, Luke, not meaning to criticise your article, by the way!! Only the comment - just a knee-jerk reaction from a person who grew up in a country where Americanisation is killing us!! We're a tad defensive....in the rest of the world!

Laughing too hard... says on 2006-09-11 03:40:26 about Really? "That's something the rest of the world needs to learn!" Um, hate to tell you this, but I think nearly everyone in the world has a good chuckle at themselves. Americans believing they are the only people on the earth with a viable culture just smacks of your xenephobia. Not everyone thinks Frineds, or Joey is funny, but instead finds it childish, unhumourous and just a little bit morose. Put out any good films lately? I mean, that haven't been made already? Don't think so. I don't mean to pay you all out, but being told that laughing at yourself is what 'the rest of the world needs to do" like some ignorant ass just gives me the impression that perhaps you have never even been to another country. I personally don't find the US all too funny at the moment - after getting yourselves bogged down in two wars, shouldn't you stop laughing and start questioning? Maybe the Iraqis and Afganis should be laughing more, you're so right.

larry says on 2006-09-10 13:29:06 about why we laugh America laughs...BECAUSE WE CAN! That's why we are the only remaining super power! We can laugh at ourselves. That's something the rest of the world needs to learn!

Sam says on 2006-09-07 00:06:32 about America Laughs aa. Because you're funny!

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