With the recent death of Gilbert Gottfried there was a special relationship between him and Norm Macdonald. Both were more comics than actors despite participating in both worlds.

Me, I was never really interested in Gilbert. But, because of the connection to Norm, my YouTube suggestions have spiked since his death. I find myself watching 10 or 15 minutes a night before I ultimately decide I have better things to do.

It was fifteen years ago or so, I used to listen to stand-up on XM radio. I probably had it on for several years straight. I mostly listened to the rated R station, ‘Raw Dog’ because I think that what makes good comedy is pushing the boundaries. It is not that clean comedy can’t be funny, but I find that often it seems like it doesn’t push the boundaries as the dirtier brand.

My wife and I have attended multiple stand-up shows throughout the years. Actually the last one we saw was at a church called Date Night Out. It was Valentine’s Day but it was a little hard for me to enjoy because I had a fever and was the beginning of what was being sick for weeks. I do remember laughing.

Now that I think about it, the statement above was not exactly true. We saw a local act at the Elk’s lodge a two weeks ago. So, I guess that it is safe to say that I like comedy. It just so happens that Norm Macdonald is my particular breed of wackiness. I loved his deadpan, looked you straight in the eye and tell a tale that is unbelievably ridiculous all the while keeping a straight face. That being said, it is also funny when they get 90% of the way through and loses it too.

I like the idea of comedy on Fridays because it breaks the tension of a stressful week and sends the weekend off on a light and positive note. I had visions of writing unique and funny things on Fridays but it takes a lot of time and energy to have that level creativity. Maybe I should be linking to things that make me laugh during the week? I also liked doing my book reviews on Friday’s as well so maybe I will vasilate, we will see.

This week, I am going with the former.

I know that this is not some of Norm’s best work but it is some of his last work and it is topical. It is interesting to look at comedies’ view of Corona Virus at the beginning of it as compared to now. My, how things have gone full circle.

In my liberal arts education, I learned that the genesis of humor is actually tragedy. When you read Romeo and Juliet, it is historically categorized as a tragedy. The story line and outcome are the tragedy, but a large part of the dialogue is comedy. I think that a large reason Shakespeare’s work is revered is that he was able to entertain the masses by ‘sneaking’ in a serious subject or moral juxtaposition.

Humor is a coping and healing mechanism. After the week I have had, I need some humor. My brother has gone through an analogous type situation as mine, our spouses mother’s needing third party care and the family drama surrounding it. We spoke last night and are nearly identically aligned on our feelings and outlook despite not ever really talking about it. Along the way, we had a lot of laughs about the situation. What can you do?

End Your Programming Routine: I know that a super majority of my work has been serious. It doesn’t mean that laughter and humor isn’t a huge part of my life. Happiness is smiling and smiling is from having fun and laughter is a big part of that. However, I know that I need to make a bigger effort to utilize and develop that side of me. I will keep working on that.