A day without laughter is a day wasted.- Charlie Chaplin
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
- Jean Houston
Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.
- Yakov Smirnoff
I admire the heck out of writers who can repeatedly make readers laugh out loud. It doesn’t matter the genre of the story. In fact, a humorous line can happen in the most unexpected books and still work. It’s all about voice and character and where the author chooses to place the humorous moments.
Even on the worst days, laughter can turn emotions around in a flash, can help start the process of healing, and can connect us with another person in a way little else can. It’s a powerful part of being human. I believe when we don’t laugh enough, our overall mood is negatively affected.
I was struggling with my WIP this week, and that frustration has a tendency to leak into other parts of my life. I know it’s getting bad when we decide to relax and watch a movie and the first words from my partner are, “Let’s watch something that’ll make you laugh.” But not all movies and TV shows labeled as comedies can get me laughing. I suppose that’s true of everyone. Like most forms of entertainment, humor is highly subjective. And one issue in finding good comedies that fit my tastes is that when selecting a movie, I almost always skip the comedies and go for action, suspense, or drama. Way to increase my odds.
I do have a few movies and TV shows that almost always make me laugh, or at least give me a smile, and they’ve become my standbys when I know I’m letting a bad mood take hold. Here are a few:
- Office Space
- Galaxy Quest
- My Cousin Vinny
- Parenthood
- The Golden Girls
- The first season of Roseanne
- Specific episodes of The Closer, M*A*S*H, and Friends
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com
11 comments:
I only have to listen to my son or husband if I need a laugh. They're both hilarious. I try to write humorous stuff - most times I get messages saying I'd made people cry - hopefully for the right reason! I'm not sure I could write erotic romance without humor, though I know not everyone gets my sense of irony.
The Hangover, my newly-discovered go-to movie for making me laugh.
Oh, and whadaya know, Bradley Cooper's in it, which always helps. ;)
The Hangover is awesome. But the classics like Liar, Liar or Ernest Saves Christmas or Ace Ventura: Pet Detective...oh lawd! :D
No question for me on movies: Airplane. Funniest movie ever. Loved it since we used to hire the VHS from Blockbuster almost every weekend when I was a kid. (Ah, the 1980s...)
TV shows, Blackadder (I just can't get outta the 80s can I?) or Red Dwarf.
Hi Barbara. I love that about your son and husband. My partner makes me laugh like no one else ever does. There's nothing better than that laughing together feeling. I'm impressed by those of you who can do humor well in romance. Sometimes I get stuck when I know I need to lighten a scene and can't come up with anything. That's when I stare off into space. I think the key, for me, is to let it happen naturally from the characterizations rather than trying to be funny.
Hi Scarlett. I'm so far behind on movies I haven't seen the Hangover yet. I've had it recommended to me numerous times. Did you see the second one is coming out soon? Later this month, I think. I loved Bradley Cooper when he was in Alias. Dang!
Great selections, Jason. Jim Carrey sure does know how to do funny. Although I saw him in a made-for-TV drama years ago and thought he was fabulous in it too.
*grins* @ Becky. I'm glad I'm not the only one stuck in the 80s when it comes to TV and movies. You know I've never seen Airplane from start to finish (or maybe I did once a long time ago) but I always laugh at the scenes I see. I'll put that one on my list for the next time I need a laugh. Thanks!
I always turn to 50 First Dates for a good laugh and a good cry. I also love The Big Bang Theory.
Whose line is it anyway? And the Great British Classic, Mr Bean!
I also love to laugh and thank goodness I find it every day, especially in the form of my family. With four grandchildren, what couldn't I find to laugh about?
Hi Penny. Thanks for sharing! I haven't seen any of your picks. I'll have to add them to my to-watch list.
I'm glad you have your family and grandchildren and reasons to laugh every day. There is nothing better than laughing with the ones you love. Or even laughing AT them...*grin*
Sad that all the previous comments are gone. There were some good recs for comedies. Haven't seen if blogger said they were going to be able to restore or not.
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