I remember laughing ’til it hurt, not able to get my breath with the tiny muscles between my ribs straining in complaint – I think of friends round a dinner table and a blue suit! I remember Dave telling the joke (although not what the joke was) – It was something about a man in a blue suit and it apparently needed telling in an Italian accent.
It was one of those ‘shaggy-dog’ stories with the regular reappearance of the man in the blue suit. “Da bloo-wa sue-et” and Dave was totally rubbish at the accent which was what was so funny. Unperturbed, he carried on despite our increasing mockery. For whatever reason this made the crowd of us laugh all the more.
Today is World Laughter Day and I wish I could share a good belly-laugh with you. For some things though, you have to be there to ‘get it’.
Dr. Madan Kataria who founded World Laughter Day encourages the practice and sharing of laughter through Laughter Yoga which is about practicing laughter without stimulus. The psychologist in me knows this is a great idea as the principle of acting “as if” (you are happy, confident, outgoing etc) will change your mood and performance in measurable ways. Deliberately laughing is one trick to try to improve your mood whenever you might need to. (I regularly practice this when my husband tells a joke..)
In the meantime, I still do love the props and prompts that generate a good chuckle! They’re an easy way to share a laugh. I keep my eye out for theatre, film and new comedy.
Last night we were at the Manchester Opera House to see a Reduced Height Theatre Company Production of the comedy farce “See How They Run” written by Philip King. I laughed ’til it hurt and (UK readers) if you can get to see it in their final week in Cardiff – I urge you to go and see a particularly talented and inspiring cast including actor/director Warwick Davis.
I love novelty in humour but I have some reliable repeaters – The ones that somehow retain their magic, even though I ‘know what’s coming’.
Indulging in a little list making, I thought I’d share these favourites and a laugh in celebration of World Laughter Day.
Funniest Comedian: Billy Connolly
Funniest Film: Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian” especially this Sketch
Funniest TV series: The Green Wing, Absolutely Fabulous, Father Ted
(I know there are three here and it’s totally cheating but the answer depends on my mood! Green Wing if I HAD to choose)
Funniest Sketch: Two Soups with Julie Walters
Funniest Clip: Parrot Singing Gangnam Style – especially the phrase ‘sexy lady’
Funniest Philosphy: “100 years from now? All new people.” Anne Lamott
Feel free to share your favourites – I’m always ready for a laugh!
Lisa Reiter - Sharing the Story 
May 8, 2014 at 7:10 am
What a great post, Lisa. Now I see what you meant when you said you where off to see “See how they run”! I love Billy Connelly too; and Fawlty Towers. John Cleese is funny just to look at – love his funny walks. I found Steve Martin hilarious in “All of Me” when his body was taken over by that of Lily Tomlin’s character. Watched it over and over. We have a great Aussie comedian also Carl Baron. Every day should be laughter day – can never have too many laughs!
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May 8, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Thanks Norah – We are a bit mad on those Python’s in this house (splashed out on tickets to see their reunion this summer.. no doubt I’ll post about that!) I must see if I can find Carl Baron for someone new – thanks for the tip 😃
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May 8, 2014 at 1:02 pm
It’s actually Barron, sorry. There are a couple of videos on his website but haven’t checked them out so not sure whether to recommend those particular ones.
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May 7, 2014 at 7:23 pm
There is nothing like a good belly-laugh to shift the stressors of the day. Our cats inevitably do something that makes us smile (or outright laugh) which lightens the energy. Whose Line Is It Anyway (especially their Scenes From A Hat) usually has us laughing so loud that we have to rewind to hear what we missed. YouTube is great for finding little snippets for a quick laughter break. Thanks for the post, Lisa (and congrats on being Liebstered)
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May 7, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Thanks Diane on all accounts – I’d forgotten radio – which seems like a mortal sin when you think of WLIIA and the usual line-up!
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May 6, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Hi Lisa,
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award – congratulations! (I’ve used the earliest criteria of having less than 3000 followers – I’ve added the link below). I hope you can accept at least an honorary award, if you’re too busy to do more.
( http://sopphey.onimpression.com/2012/05/liebster-blog-award-origins.html)
Love this post – laughter is a gift – and who can forget the Marx Brothers? They surely have to be on the list of all time favourites?
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May 6, 2014 at 7:25 pm
(Claps hand to heart..) Totally honoured (and floored!) Thank you so much. I totally accept being Liebstered and will now try and work out what to do about it!
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May 6, 2014 at 9:48 pm
That’s great! I look forward to your reading your answers (no pressure), and whatever questions you come with for the next round of nominees! :))
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May 5, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Thanks for sharing the things that make you laugh – it made me smile at least. Wish I could have seen the reduced height theatre company, they sound great. I’m on your wavelength with The Life of Brian and the Green Wing. What about the League of Gentlemen – dark and scary
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May 5, 2014 at 6:03 pm
And a bit disturbing! Yes, nearly – but the dark and scary bit is whether it’s really a bit like that somewhere and I’m more often disturbed than amused!
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May 5, 2014 at 1:11 am
What about Fawlty Towers with John Cleese and Manuel? Or The Young Ones with Rik Mayal? I lived in London for two years and later married a Scotsman, so Billy Connelly is in my laughter book as well. American comedies? SNL, Daily Show, Steven Colbert, Modern Family.
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May 5, 2014 at 7:09 am
You’re right of course, but it’s an impossible task to limit it to a short list! I do love Basil and Manuel and the Young One’s was the cult comedy of my youth. Great you share a similar sense of humour and then suggest American comedies I haven’t heard of – shopping on-line..!
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