tin pj's

I am not a comic. I’m more like a stand-up philosopher. It may be hard for general audiences to distinguish the two, but my role is just a little lower on the social scale than the comic because no one in his right mind would pay money for stand-up philosophy. Still, I am acquainted with the inner workings of what makes something funny, and occasionally I will try to explain some of the rules for your edification.

The intended audience will kill a joke if they don’t get it and make someone explain it. They kill the funny person when he tells the truth and they think he’s making it up for effect. Such a thing happened to me; can you believe it?!!

Here’s the rule: If the speaker says something totally ridiculous or impossible, it's a joke. If the speaker says something that sounds unlikely, but it doesn’t make you burst out in laughter, it is probably not a joke; hold back the laugh.

Quiz: Suppose I say, “I wear a suit of armor for pajamas.”

Response: Obviously a joke; you must laugh.

I say, “Seriously.” (more laughter)

At a departmental breakfast, I said that I used to paint murals. They laughed. It was not meant to be funny. I felt like I had to make some quick phone calls and get proof faxed so that I can get the appropriate ooh’s and aah’s.

My former director and art teacher, Kathy Kozan is doing some fascinating work these days. I loved painting the hard-to-reach places, so the guys called me “Spider Man.” I wonder if she remembers me.