Milton Berle Called Laughter An Instant Vacation

No doubt about it.  Humor is important to the human condition.  Charlie Chaplin, said “A day without laughter is a day wasted."  And it's true.  So take a break from the busyness of your day to have a chuckle with these funny headlines sent my way by a savvy reader, Ms. Loretta G.  Enjoy:

Did we elect these people?

 Civil War planes? Let me know how that works out.

I'm saying GREAT paint job.

"We had no idea anyone was buried there."

Hmm, resist temptation.

Please, anyone, if you've seen this man...?

What are the odds of that?

 I would have guessed after age 19.

Quincy Jones said laughter is "the soul saying, 'Ain't that the truth.'"   And Mark Twain remarked, "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."  Of the comedians still working today, I find Jon Stewart, Craig Ferguson and Jerry Seinfeld especially brilliant.  Going back in time, my family listened to the albums of Mr. Bill Cosby, The Smothers Brothers and the Chad Mitchell Trio.  In some ways listening to routines on records is funnier.  There are sound effects, and you use your imagination.  And of course, we watched reruns of I Love Lucy, Laugh-in, The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Carol Burnett Show to name a few.  I vividly remember Flip Wilson.  And, Richard Pryor was mesmerizing, depicting his harsh childhood and later life.  Have you noticed that the comedy which stands the test of time isn't based on shock value, or mean-spiritedness?   Controversial at the time?  Yes, sometimes ... and occasionally dark ... but, a cut above, not settling for an easy laugh.  

Clever comedy manages to uncover truth and tell us about ourselves.  It remains forever popular because the humor is as true of the present day as when the jokes were written.  Click here for a fascinating interview with The Great One♥, another fond blast from the past.  Now it's your turn.  Who are your favorite comedians, past or present?

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