Why couldn't Giles have shackles like any self-respecting bachelor?

Xander ,'Beneath You'


Natter 48 Contiguous States of Denial  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Trudy Booth - Dec 08, 2006 3:53:16 pm PST #5209 of 10007
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart

But you just said it's crap, full stop, about working blue. That's why I disagreed.

Well, I was on the fly posting at work, so I'm glad you questioned it and I got to clarify.

If you meant "when done badly and/or to excess," sure, but that's true of any kind of comedy.

But the other things won't get you laughs when done badly and to excess -- the dick jokes almost always will. And you get the problem that they're easy to fall back on -- if you always go to the dirty to get a house back on your side you risk stalling in your comic development and staying average. It's a very common trap in stand-up and improv and sketch.

With improv especially its tricky because on the one hand you don't want to inhibit the places your mind goes (so saying 'never be dirty' isn't good) but you want to learn to make smart interesting choices and not necessarily easy ones.

The really great improvisors I've worked with and been taught by are pretty unanimous that the best way to go dirty is when you just. can't. help. it.


dcp - Dec 08, 2006 4:00:14 pm PST #5210 of 10007
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

If you have a good view of the eastern horizon and feel like getting up early on Sunday morning.... [link]


Strega - Dec 08, 2006 4:09:12 pm PST #5211 of 10007

But the other things won't get you laughs when done badly and to excess

I don't know how you can say that. Physical comedy is often done badly, often done to excess, and often gets laughs anyway. And I can roll my eyes and think it's pandering, but I kinda think that other people genuinely find it funny. See any of five thousand terrible, repetitive sitcoms that nonetheless have fans. There's no objective "this is funny and that isn't."


askye - Dec 08, 2006 4:13:12 pm PST #5212 of 10007
Thrive to spite them

My FSIL asked me this question and I didn't know but figured the Hivemind would -- which states use the internet the most/which states are the most internet savvy.


sarameg - Dec 08, 2006 4:13:26 pm PST #5213 of 10007

I am going to have to kill my brother. He's kvetching about turning 28 today. Claiming he's 26. WTF? I'm 31. I have no angst (except the how the hell did that happen kind. And the Holy crap kind. Anyway.)

Dude. He's a year or so away from a PhD in cancer (or alzheimers. Or... depending on what happens with his boss drama) research. He's got a near-4 year old. He'll have another kid before 29. He's got a whole hell of a lot to trumpet at 28. Boys get weird about age too. I envy him all but that!


Trudy Booth - Dec 08, 2006 4:13:47 pm PST #5214 of 10007
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart

Of course, my sense of humor is pretty dirty. On the one hand, its a little subversive because women aren't "supposed" to say certain things, on the other, you just risk a new kind of shock value. It's the Sarah Silverman paradox. (well, without the sleeping with a succession of increasingly famous comics part)

It's not the ONLY element of my humor... and I tend more toward double-entendres (or pointing out other people's entendres) saying the filthy. I do get scolded for it sometimes though.


ChiKat - Dec 08, 2006 4:14:38 pm PST #5215 of 10007
That man was going to shank me. Over an omelette. Two eggs and a slice of government cheese. Is that what my life is worth?

This is from several hours ago now, but...

ChiKat, are you going to be home tonight?

Eventually, yes. I'm leaving work now (I have mentioned I only have 2 more weeks here, yes?? Dear, me, I can't wait for these hours to be over and done with.) I'm running by Borders, but should be home by 9:30.

I hear from a mutual friend that Narrator is safe.

Thank you, Cindy. I was wondering about her.


Trudy Booth - Dec 08, 2006 4:24:51 pm PST #5216 of 10007
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart

Physical comedy is often done badly, often done to excess, and often gets laughs anyway. And I can roll my eyes and think it's pandering, but I kinda think that other people genuinely find it funny. See any of five thousand terrible, repetitive sitcoms that nonetheless have fans.

I just don't see physical comedy as being that rampant or insidious. Is it really that big a part of sit coms? The only physical bits I can think of recently(ish) are Niles on Frasier (funny), various people on Will & Grace (sometimes funny) and a lot of puking and bleeding on SNL (which really seem like visual fart jokes to me).


sarameg - Dec 08, 2006 4:24:51 pm PST #5217 of 10007

Kathy A - Dec 08, 2006 4:30:33 pm PST #5218 of 10007
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil

My FSIL asked me this question and I didn't know but figured the Hivemind would -- which states use the internet the most/which states are the most internet savvy.

Are you talking about state governments, or overall use within the state?