Humour Through Time.
Humour for me, is an interesting subject as one would not think there would be such a diverse range in concept of what is funny.
An interesting and thoroughly enjoyable experience, which massively involved humour, was for me when I went on a visit to the local community centre hall. I was told that as a treat, at the age of about ten years old, we as a family were going to see a magic lantern show. Not sure what that entailed, the initial disappointment for me, was the projectionist’s announcement in explanation of the fact that none of the film had sound. I was at that point of my childhood quite crestfallen but then what a delight unfolded as black and white images displayed the fantastic talents of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and many more great silent film stars. Together the audience were enthralled by the humorous antics and continues guffaws of laughter were heard throughout the night’s performance.
As a child, a local family very kindly offered the opportunity for me to watch their TV. Unbelievable as it might be to many, back then not everybody did have a television and the occasion to go and watch one, was quite extraordinary! At that time a TV consisted of a small screen, set in an upright oblong box, which had no colour and a limited number of stations. Exciting, I know! Quite honestly though, at that time in my life, I was thrilled by the prospect of watching the moving scenes and pictures on that same archaic sounding piece of equipment. My illicit TV watching had to be hidden from my father, who had a very strong view that TV was a time waster and interfered with productive family life. Now, I can see there is some value to his ideas but more because of the physical health implications of excessive and stationary TV watching. Ironically but purely coincidentally against the idea of fitness and health, Mr Pastry was the popular character that had continuous funny misfortunes on TV at that time. In a more family based environment I am reminded of the absolute epitome of humour in the comedy Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em with superb, eye-watering funny performances by all the stars in the show.
There are so many more humour-led glimpses through time, such as Man About the House that was able to spawn the subsequent George and Mildred. Of course humour does not come in one form as the Goon Show and Smith and Jones alongside The Two Ronnie's aptly have indicated. Diverse and representative of multi-angled jokes, associations to humour have meant that clever thinking literary plays on words have taken centre stage and our thoughts have gone on an incredible journey of alternative linguistic mindsets. Sadly, while there are some great contemporary comedies, there have been many recent failed attempts at bringing about an engaging and humorous comedy series.
Outside of the home, pantomime seasonally entertains audiences as there is active encouragement for humour to be taken to a different level through audience participation with an oh no he isn’t and oh yes he is philosophy. Including the audience on funny asides was a main trait of Shakespeare although the humour could occasionally be more on the macabre side.
Variety shows, at one time enjoyed an enviable popularity although risky acts could suffer persecution, as some people did not share their same scope of humour. The shocking material of that time would hardly be noticed today as stand-up comedians regularly extend the boundaries of what may bring on the laughs and be seen as funny. There can be such an intolerance to tongue-in-cheek references to family members even if done in a humorous way that clearly is not intended to offend. One person’s joke can so easily be misinterpreted as being derogatory to another.
Having a good sense of humour and enjoying laughter is actually physically and mentally health promoting. It can be that laughter is a great form of medicine because it works multiple muscles throughout the face and body. It can allow a bit of needed light relief from other strains and stresses and improve one’s ability to occasionally take life a little less seriously.
An interesting and thoroughly enjoyable experience, which massively involved humour, was for me when I went on a visit to the local community centre hall. I was told that as a treat, at the age of about ten years old, we as a family were going to see a magic lantern show. Not sure what that entailed, the initial disappointment for me, was the projectionist’s announcement in explanation of the fact that none of the film had sound. I was at that point of my childhood quite crestfallen but then what a delight unfolded as black and white images displayed the fantastic talents of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and many more great silent film stars. Together the audience were enthralled by the humorous antics and continues guffaws of laughter were heard throughout the night’s performance.
As a child, a local family very kindly offered the opportunity for me to watch their TV. Unbelievable as it might be to many, back then not everybody did have a television and the occasion to go and watch one, was quite extraordinary! At that time a TV consisted of a small screen, set in an upright oblong box, which had no colour and a limited number of stations. Exciting, I know! Quite honestly though, at that time in my life, I was thrilled by the prospect of watching the moving scenes and pictures on that same archaic sounding piece of equipment. My illicit TV watching had to be hidden from my father, who had a very strong view that TV was a time waster and interfered with productive family life. Now, I can see there is some value to his ideas but more because of the physical health implications of excessive and stationary TV watching. Ironically but purely coincidentally against the idea of fitness and health, Mr Pastry was the popular character that had continuous funny misfortunes on TV at that time. In a more family based environment I am reminded of the absolute epitome of humour in the comedy Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em with superb, eye-watering funny performances by all the stars in the show.
There are so many more humour-led glimpses through time, such as Man About the House that was able to spawn the subsequent George and Mildred. Of course humour does not come in one form as the Goon Show and Smith and Jones alongside The Two Ronnie's aptly have indicated. Diverse and representative of multi-angled jokes, associations to humour have meant that clever thinking literary plays on words have taken centre stage and our thoughts have gone on an incredible journey of alternative linguistic mindsets. Sadly, while there are some great contemporary comedies, there have been many recent failed attempts at bringing about an engaging and humorous comedy series.
Outside of the home, pantomime seasonally entertains audiences as there is active encouragement for humour to be taken to a different level through audience participation with an oh no he isn’t and oh yes he is philosophy. Including the audience on funny asides was a main trait of Shakespeare although the humour could occasionally be more on the macabre side.
Variety shows, at one time enjoyed an enviable popularity although risky acts could suffer persecution, as some people did not share their same scope of humour. The shocking material of that time would hardly be noticed today as stand-up comedians regularly extend the boundaries of what may bring on the laughs and be seen as funny. There can be such an intolerance to tongue-in-cheek references to family members even if done in a humorous way that clearly is not intended to offend. One person’s joke can so easily be misinterpreted as being derogatory to another.
Having a good sense of humour and enjoying laughter is actually physically and mentally health promoting. It can be that laughter is a great form of medicine because it works multiple muscles throughout the face and body. It can allow a bit of needed light relief from other strains and stresses and improve one’s ability to occasionally take life a little less seriously.
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