Having been somewhat exhausted lately, I've been finding it hard to summon the energy it takes to be funny. (And indeed, some would say I've never summoned the energy it takes to be funny)But I digress, what was I talking about again?
Oh yeah, exhaustion and comedy.
This has got me wondering "are my comedian heroes, the funnymen I grew up idolizing, ever too tired to be funny?"
Let's investigate, shall we?
The scene is New York City in November.
Reporter: "Mr. Jerry Seinfeld, you've just finished the New York City Marathon, say something funny for our TV audience out there"
Seinfeld: (Breathing heavily and bent over with exhaustion) "What...is the deal...with pot holes? There's no pots out there... just...holes!"
Or what about that dad of all dads and funny man extrodinare Bill Cosby?
The scene takes place in a hospital room at Philadelphia's world renown Friend's Hospital.
Reporter: (Speaking to a groggy, anesthetized Bill Cosby) "Mr. Cosby, you've just come out intensive open heart surgery, say something funny for our viewers out there."
Cosby: "Jello Pudding Pops!"
Reporter: "What was that Mr. Cosby?"
Cosby (Grabbing the reporter by the collar and pulling him in close) "I...want...a...Jello...Pudding...Pop!"
Reporter: (Yelling somewhat desperately to the nurses station) "Can someone get Mr. Cosby a pudding pop please!"
Or what about my personal favorite funny man, Robin Williams? Might we be able to conjure up a scenario where this master of improv comedy might not be funny?
The scene is an airport runway where a beleaguered and very sunburnt Robin Williams is exiting an airplane and facing a crowd of rowdy, cheering fans and the media.
Reporter: "Mr. Williams, you just survived a plane crash and six months on a deserted desert island, do you have anything funny to say to all your fans out there?"
Robin Williams: (Grabbing the microphone out of the reporter's hand) "Woooooooweee, it's good to be back! I've lost so much weight I think I can qualify as a carry on item! When I first crashed on the island it was so deserted it was like a health food store on Fat Tuesday! Then a tribe of cannibals showed up and invited me for dinner, and it was like the time I ate at the Kennedy's house! I was like "mmm, needs barbecue sauce!" Then the British Navy rescued me and it was like (assuming a thick British accent) "Mr. Williams, are you all right? Would you like a spot of tea and a cracker!" And I said "cracker, cracker! Don't even get me started...
Okay, so Robin Williams could be funny anywhere.Thanks folks, for taking a slight diversion with me this time out. After a week or so I should be back in fighting shape.
So make sure to get some sleep and take those vitamins.
- Tincan
