Venus, Mars, and nyuk, nyuk, nyuk
Apr 2nd 2007
Karen RoseMy Life As A Plebe
I do not consider myself a funny person. Wry and sarcastic, perhaps, but funny-ha-ha, definitely not. I would never even attempt to write a comedy. But I love to laugh. I’d like to believe my taste in humor is lofty and sophisticated, befitting a goddess …
But it ain’t.
I have to admit it - my humor is very lowbrow. I love Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Strange Brew (with the MacKenzie brothers, eh), and every time Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure comes on TV, I stop changing channels and snicker. “I want my bike!” and who can forget the classic “I know you are, but what am I?”
But there are depths to which even I will not descend. Namely - the 
Stooges. I do not like the Stooges. (Not in a box or even with a fox.) My husband loves them. I just shake my head. Most men I’ve met love the Stooges. Even Sam Malone on Cheers loved the Stooges. They were only thing he loved besides women and sex.
I just don’t get it. It’s one of the ways nature has separated the sexes, in my humble opinion. Now, there are things women think are chuckle-able that men won’t laugh at on a bet, but none of them are as base as Curly, Moe, and Larry.
So what makes you laugh? What do men laugh at that you just don’t get? Do you and your significant other laugh at the same things? Do you like the Stooges? Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
58 Comments »
58 Responses to “Venus, Mars, and nyuk, nyuk, nyuk”
dbrown3400 on 02 Apr 2007 at 5:02 am #
I like my humor very dry and sarcastic, the kind that you have to think about for a moment to make sure you’ve got it right. British comedy is like that not like so much of the potty humor so common today. If it doesn’t deal with some sort of bodily function, people don’t think it’s funny. Not me. Someone with natural wit and timing can be hysterical. Johnny Carson’s timing was impeccable but he learned from Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Milton Berle and others. TBC
dbrown3400 on 02 Apr 2007 at 5:18 am #
I prefer things that are funny within a program that is not a situation comedy. They catch me by surprise rather than working for a laugh. Most men don’t understand why they’re laughing so how can we? My bf makes me laugh mainly by not letting me take myself too seriously, then he joins in. If that means we are laughing at the same things, then yeah. I don’t watch reality TV and he does so I politely refrain from laughing. I remember wanting to pound certain people like the Stooges did. db
Terry Jo on 02 Apr 2007 at 6:32 am #
Karen, you hit on such a sensitive subject to me. While delivering (yes, delivering) my first child, I look up when my pain filled concentration is blown by nyuks! I can remember so clearly my horror of having my first child with the background music of Curly’s obnoxious laughter. Fourteen years later, everytime hubby and I argue, guess what I bring up??? Forget the family flaws, I bring up giving birth while he was watching the Stooges. Needless to say, I hate Stooges.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:07 am #
Terry Jo, three things should never be allowed in the delivery room — in-laws, weapons of any kind, and the Stooges.
I think men have a more basic sense of humor. Not ALL men, of course, but most. My DH is a very sophisticated guy; has a master’s degree, teaches at the local university, highly trained in his career, works with some very complicated and important issues at work — and will laugh until he cries at the Stooges. Me, I love witty repartee better than belly laughs.
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:40 am #
Poor Terry Jo! Hopefully the Stooges are good for a footrub now and again.
I like Brit comedy too. I’ve seen every M-Python show multiple times. My favoriter newer Brit comedies are Father Ted and Vicar of Dibley. But there are some pretty raw Brit comedies out there, too, so I guess the Brits aren’t all tea-and-crumpet sophistication either, lol. It’s the great - and hardest - thing about comedy. Not everybody finds the same thing funny, so making people laugh is hard work!
Karen Hawkins on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:51 am #
Karen Rose, I love British comedies, too! Do you like the British version of The Office? That thing makes me laugh until I cry! It’s painful to watch and yet … I gotta laugh!
ladydawgfan on 02 Apr 2007 at 8:14 am #
Okay, I’LL admit it!! I like the Stooges (well, except Shemp and Joe, that is)!!! However, I didn’t exactly have a choice. I had two brothers and the Stooges were on every day after school. They, and I watched it religiously, to the point where we had favorite episodes that we looked for.
Of course, I also love the old Abbott and Costello routines, and The Honeymooners (Norton cracks me up EVERY time!). I have eclectic tastes.
Julia London on 02 Apr 2007 at 8:24 am #
Karen and Karen, I love the British comedies, too. Even the old ones that are so corny but so funny.
I love The Office. I watched on BBC America when it first came out, and now I am hooked on the American version. I swear I have worked with every single one of those people, and in fall smaller cubby holes, LOL!
Keri Ford on 02 Apr 2007 at 9:00 am #
I am not a Jim Carey fan, but for some reason, those Ace Ventura movies will have me crying with laughter. There was this cartoon (still might be) that came on a few years back, “Ed, Edd, Eddy”, dumbest thing to air, and yet, it made me laugh for the full 30 minutes.
And Stooges and in-laws in the delivery room? No, NO way. My MIL is trying to make me feel guilty and let her in, but I don’t think so.
Claudia Dain on 02 Apr 2007 at 9:13 am #
I hate the Stooges. All of them, even when they switched out to the “new” guy. I even know why I hate the Stooges—they’re mean.
But, I loved Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, the Honeymooners.
I get my laugh fix now by watching The Office. Love that show!
elsiehogarth on 02 Apr 2007 at 9:48 am #
Sorry Karen but I love the 3 Stooges especially all the episodes with Shemp. He’s my favorite Stooge then Curly. Abbott & Costello and Laurel&Hardy great.
My humor is very dry(Thanks to an English Grandfather Maurice) so I adore British sitcoms: Fawlty Towers, Chef, Keeping up Appearances, the Manor Born, Vicar of Dilby, Are You Being Served, Black Adder, Rising Damp, Mr. Bean and Monty Python.
I have to say that my sister Laurie and niece Julianna are the ones that really make me laugh.
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 9:59 am #
I also love British Comedy such as Monty Python. Of course there was an American from Minnesota in the ensemble. I had to say that since I am from Minnesota.
I am one of those people that loves almost any type of humor. I love to laugh and it is easy to make me laugh most of the time. I happen to like Jim Carrey comedies not his dramas. But I do like Ace Ventura and yes I do like Dumb and Dumber (the original).
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:02 am #
I also like Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in most movies like Meet the Parents, Night at the Museum, Dodge ball, Shanghai Noon, and so on. Will Ferrell is also one actor that I tend to enjoy in comedies. I really liked Stranger than Fiction and I want to see Blades of Glory, which looks like it might be hilarious
anneriailin on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:11 am #
I am not fond of the Three Stooges, either. I love the Brit Comedies. So I guess I have that dry sense of humor. Loved Abbott & Costello, some of the Crosby/Hope movies were hilarious if you ‘got’ some of the humor and the Martin/Lewis movies were good. I guess I’m aging myself here but I love movies. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM was a hoot. Just recently saw that. This such a great topic today, thanks!
Keri Ford on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:31 am #
How could I forget about Chris Tucker? Love and laugh at everything I’ve seen him in. I’m just waiting for Hollywood put him and Chris Rock in a movie together.
And speaking of Chris Rock, my all time favorite scenes with him is in Letheal Weapon 4 when he’s cussing cell phones with Joe Pesci. I’m chuckling now as I write this!
terrio on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:33 am #
I can’t stand the Stooges but I love the Marx Brothers. And I grew up watching Abbott and Costello every Sunday morning before church. My sister and I can still do the “Whose on first” routine.
I have to throw my vote in for the timely witty line like Johnny Carson used to do. The zinger that you’re not expecting and no one else thought of. I also grew up watching Benny Hill but I’m not sure what that says about me…LOL!
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:44 am #
All right, now. Elsie, my dear, I’ll forgive you the Stooges because you love Black Adder (I still chuckle at Nursie!) and Mr. Bean. And of course Laurie and Julianna make you smile
Give them hugs from me.
The Marx Brothers irk me, but I don’t hate them. Claudia - you’re right - the Stooges are just mean.
I also love the Honeymooners - my favorite is the “Chef of the Future” episode. Humna, humna. I don’t know who Chris Tucker is, must go check.
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:49 am #
Another fave of mine is “mockumentaries.” I love Best in Show and Drop Dead Gorgeous. Kasey - DDG is set in Minnesota. My MN friends HOWLED with laughter.
Another that is hilarious is O Brother Where Art Thou? Love the bit about the frog. And another Coen movie - very dry, but funny - Hudsucker Proxy.
Ronlyn on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:53 am #
I LOVE to laugh. Laughter is the BEST medicine in my book, so I try to laugh every day. I love the dry “English” humor. Causes me to laugh out loud. My 3 year old sone makes me laugh. His laughter is infectious. Slap-stick comedy….well, I have to be in the right mood. Ok, I have to be drunk, in order to really enjoy it.
My husband LOVES the Stooges. He also adores improv. Shows like “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” cause him to roar with laughter.
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:02 am #
Oh I loved Who’s Line is it Anyway! I would sometimes be in tears by the end of that show.
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:04 am #
Karen R - I don’t know if I have even heard of Drop Dead Gorgeous. I will have to go check that out. I love the Grumpy Old Men movies though. That is some great Minnesotan comedy. I know so many guys in Minnesota that are very similar to that. It just cracks me up.
Ronlyn on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:09 am #
Kasey, I just saw a commercial for a new show “Thank God You’re Here” which has an assortment of actors/commedians and is an improv show. Looks hillarious!
Teresa Medeiros on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:27 am #
Karen,
I have to confess to being one of those weird women who love the Stooges. Loved ‘em when I was a kid. Still do. But it’s even more fun to watch my husband howl with laughter over them.
TheNightPoet on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:34 am #
I’m not a fan of the Stooges either. I mean I guess it’s funny to an extent, but I never have sat down and watched them wack each other upside the head for however long their show was. I love good jokes that make me laugh. I love to watch comedies and telling funny, silly or at times I’ve been known to tell a dirty joke from time to time. I even made up my own joke. It’s silly, but funny. I’m trying to think of something men laugh at that they think is funny, but I’m drawing a blank..cont.
terrio on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:40 am #
Men think Beevis and Butthead were funny. ‘Nuff said.
TheNightPoet on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:40 am #
(continued) …as to what I’ve seen some guys laugh at. Oh, one of my friends loves stupid movies. My dad and brother love what we have termed “brain-dead movies”. These are the movies that are so boring and stupid, but so funny to them. I don’t get it. Examples of these brain-dead movies: “3 O’Clock High”, “Gregory’s Girl”, “Moving Violations” and the list goes on. My dad and brother can sit and watch them for hours over and over again. It’s annoying.
Andrea
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:50 am #
Ronlyn - I looked that show up. It might be pretty good. I like how they are changing the celebritiy comedians up each week. That might help to keep it fresh but then again I think Who’s Line was so great becasue they knew each other well so that helped them work off of each other. I think I am going to have to watch this new show though.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:57 am #
I loooove Who’s Line Is It Anyway!!!! And Drew Carrey is a great MC, though it’s the three regulars who make the show. Wow. Just WOW!
Great call. I’d forgotten that one!
What about Will Ferrell? Even movies I wouldn’t normally like, he makes me laugh. I’m tempted to see the skating one that’s out now, too.
anneriailin on 02 Apr 2007 at 12:49 pm #
Mel Brooks. Some of his movies are hilarious and some of them are just too bad to even watch more than once. Sometimes even once was too much. However, my boys can sit and watch them forever. Over and over again. I liked YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS.
-dorothy
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:03 pm #
I mentioned Will Ferrell. I loved Stranger than Fiction and I want to see that Blades of Glory one too. The guy from Napoleon Dynamite is in it and he usually does well too. It should be good.
As for Mel Brooks movies….I love Spaceballs!
Brandy on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:06 pm #
I like situational comedy, and witty remarks, I DO NOT like slap-stick comedy, such as the three stooges.
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:16 pm #
Whose Line - I love that show! I’ve laughed so hard my sides were literally sore.
Now, Napoleon Dynamite - my husband loves that movie and I just wince. I went to a science high school and all my friends were like Napoleon. I can’t laugh at that, although the uncle is a sleazy scream.
Hey Teresa - glad to see you here!
For you historical buffs - have you seen “Start the Revolution Without Me”? It’s Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland in France at the start of the French Rev. So funny!
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:18 pm #
Mel Brooks I like - although my all time fave is The Producers, with Young Frankenstein as a runner up - I love Gene Wilder (see Revolution movie in last comment)
I don’t know if my husband likes Beevis and Butthead, but sometimes he’ll do the laugh, especially if it’s over a word that can be taken in a questionable context. Makes me twitch.
Claudia Dain on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:55 pm #
Who’s Line!! I’d totally forgotten about that show. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, Brit and American versions both.
I’m so eager to see Thank God You’re Here; it looks like it has so many possibilities and how hard would *that* be, to just walk in and have to ad lib everything from the ground up? I’m so in awe of anyone who can do great ad lib humor.
For the record, I can’t imagine anyone doing it better than Ryan and Colin. They rock.
Claudia Dain on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:56 pm #
Gack. Sorry. Whose Line, not Who Is Line. Geez.
Suzanne Enoch on 02 Apr 2007 at 2:08 pm #
Hey, welcome Teresa Medeiros!
I can take or leave the Stooges — I think the downside is that they only have about 3 routines and do them over and over. I tend to like my comedy campy, ala the “Evil Dead” movies, “Xena”, etc. Of course I used to LOVE “3rd Rock from the Sun”, which was just flat out funny.
And witty — “Buffy”, “Firefly”, the first 3 seasons of “West Wing”, “Studio 60″ & the like.
And “Whose Line” OMG, I love it. Both the British and the American versions.
Kasey on 02 Apr 2007 at 2:12 pm #
Didn’t even catch the Who’s Line supposed to be Whose line…..I’m a bad English major.
julia london on 02 Apr 2007 at 2:25 pm #
Have yall seen the cartoon floating around where a couple of astronauts find a woman lying dead on the moon. One of them says, “I think its Alice Kramden.” hahahahaaa….
Hi Terry Medieros!
SuzyQ on 02 Apr 2007 at 2:29 pm #
Like so many of you, I really get a kick out of Who’s Line Is It Anyway. Any type of improv cracks me up.
One show that always used to make me laugh was the Carol Burnette Show. I used to love when Tim Conway would do whatever he could to break Harvey Korman.
Claudia Dain on 02 Apr 2007 at 3:01 pm #
Oh, yeah, those Carol Burnett routines. I still laugh when I think of her as Scarlett O’Hara wearing curtains, plus the curtain rod, Harvey Korman as Rhett, shaking with laughter at the bottom of the stairs.
Tim Conway was/is one of those rare few who can make you laugh without saying a word. Colin M from Whose Line is the same way; just by looking at the camera and sighing…you’re LOL.
And welcome, Teresa M, even if you do love the Stooges.
foreverdelayed on 02 Apr 2007 at 3:34 pm #
Hmm.. I still think Seinfeld is overrated but my boyfriend loves it. It is his favorite show ever. I find many things funny. I love stand-up comedians like Eddie Izzard, Lewis Black, Ellen Degeneres, and others.
My boyfriend can make me laugh harder than anything. He is a stand up routine all to himself. The reason I fell in love with him was because he made me laugh. We can get down right silly sometimes.
ladydawgfan on 02 Apr 2007 at 4:59 pm #
Aahhhh, yes. Carol Burnett. Now THERE is a show that desperately needs to be released on DVD!!!! We used to watch that one as a family when I was growing up.
I also love Whose Line. Many times, I have watched the credits with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard!! Great show that never gets old in the reruns.
Judy F on 02 Apr 2007 at 5:48 pm #
Oh I loved Whose Line is it anyway. The skits they used to do cracked me up everytime.
I am not a big three Stooges fan either. Oh those shows that have people falling off roofs or running into a pole and then everyone is laughing. I don’t get it.
I tend to like sarcasm or very quick witted humor.
Claudia Dain on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:08 pm #
I can’t watch America’s Funniest Home Videos for the same reason, JudyF.
I flinch and gasp in horror whenever anyone gets smacked by a baseball bat trying to knock down the pinata, falls off a ladder into the kiddie pool, runs the boat up onto the dock and grandma gets thrown into the lake, etc, etc…all those “funny” disasters. All I can do is imagine the person in traction or losing an eye or something.
I like my humor to be pain-free, wimp that I am.
Judy F on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:12 pm #
I am right there with you Claudia. I don’t get it at all.
Nicole Jordan on 02 Apr 2007 at 7:54 pm #
I have to admit I do NOT care for the Stooges, or any kind of slapstick comedy for that matter. But I LOVE the witty shows like Studio 60. I’m gonna cry whent that show ends. I hope they show the last few episodes they’ve recorded!
NicoleJ
Karen Rose on 02 Apr 2007 at 8:10 pm #
Same goes on the Funniest Home Videos. At dinner tonight I chatted with my DH and our company. I mentioned Bevis and Butthead and my husband immediately started to chuckle. He claims he only likes the Stooges because it gets me so riled up. I say, yeah right.
DebMarlowe on 02 Apr 2007 at 8:24 pm #
You guys are going to make fun of me, but my kids used to watch Kim Possible (Disney cartoon for those out of the elementary set) and I used to laugh my butt off at that show! Very witty!
Boo ya!
Deb
TerriO on 02 Apr 2007 at 9:43 pm #
I’m with you Deb. Ron Stoppable cracks me up. And that little hairless rodent thing. *cough* I only know from watching with my daughter…LOL!
Kelly Ann on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:04 pm #
I really like the British Comedies, Who’s Line & Are you Being Served. Great Stuff. I love humor & comedy movies, but slap stick like The Stooges irritates the heck out of me. I end up yelling @ the TV and really making a cake of myself. I just want them to hear me. Come on, stand up(etc.) and quit acting like morons! I know it’s bad of me!
Kelly Ann on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:07 pm #
We actually like America’s Funniest, (those crazy cats kill me) my hubby will roll of the couch in a howl of laughter. Which makes me laugh. Laughter is contagious.
I love to watch cartoons (Sponge Bob)& read comics like the Far Side, Garfield & Calvin and Hobbes.
I love to laugh! (Dick Van Dyke sang a song with those words in Mary Poppins - The Ceiling Tea Party) All the talk of laughing made me think of it. That scene really cracked me up too!
Erica Ridley on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:00 pm #
Have to admit, not a Stooges fan, either. I love Monty Python. I crack up over at least half of Adam Sandler’s and Will Ferrel’s movies. Also Grosse Point Blank, The Big Hit, Me Myself & Irene, 40 y/o Virgin… I’m sure there’s more. The sitcom The Office just slays me. Jenny Crusie’s and Janet Evanovich’s books are pretty funny, too.
Dot C on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:26 pm #
I grew up with 3 older brothers who absolutely tortured me with wrestling, the stooges, and hogan’s heros. To this day, the theme from hogan’s heros still makes the fine hairs on my back stick straight up. I hate the stooges, but would pick them in a heartbeat over hogan. I think one of the funniest shows on tv right now is Fairly Odd Parents…but then I have a 7 y/o, and rarely watch anything that isn’t animated! Over the Hedge was a riot too.
Karen Rose on 03 Apr 2007 at 12:34 am #
Actually, Kelly Ann - that’s how I got the idea for the blog topic. I was on the phone with Disney World, making reservations to take my kids to the park. We’re FL residents so we get in for cheap (cheaper, anyway). Disney was playing music from their own movies while I was on hold and Dick Van Dyke was singing from Mary Poppins.
I love to laugh, HAHAHA, long and loud and clear…
Kim Possible - I LOVE IT! Ron Stoppable is my favorite, too. And Fairly Odd Parents - WHAT A RIOT. It’s a staple in my house. My husband dressed up as Cosmo for Halloween with fairy wings and a little green halo. No, I was not Wanda. I want to be Vicki - bwahahaha.
elsiehogarth on 03 Apr 2007 at 9:46 am #
Ohh, I forgot about the Marx Brothers. I have all their movies. Also all the Thin Man movies. I just love the 40’s lingo.
Whose Line, I watch that every night. It’s my hour of laughter w/Wayne Brady, Drew, Ryan, Greg and Collin. The Bristish version is fantastic with Tony, Josie, Ryan etc. I also watch Kim Possible before I go to bed. Ron Stoppable is hysterical and I love the Tweebs.
Kelly Ann on 03 Apr 2007 at 9:29 pm #
Karen Rose, I actually grew up in Punta Gorda, Fl. and only moved recently to Alabama (July 2006). My mom and dad always made sure we had season passes to Disney. I have such wonderful memories of going there
I have to recommed the Pirate Dinner Theatre on International Drive, unless of coarse, you have already been. We took my kids and a nephew, the food was decent and edible, but the whole expierence was money very well spent. We had a blast. We went last Feb. and my kids (7 & 9) still talk about it. Try to sit in the front and your kids will be involved in everything. My daughter was in a boat race, my son was made an honorary pirate and they both became military men and had a gun fight with the pirates. We also had the appetizers and beginning entertainment. It was an awesome experience.
TheNightPoet on 03 Apr 2007 at 11:55 pm #
Someone mentioned Robin Hood: Men in Tights in here. I have to admit, I love that movie! I can sit and watch it for hours. lol Funny thing is, I just watched it yesterday afternoon with my dad. We now have it on DVD. It’s great.
To the comment about watching Disney shows, I have to admit, I watch the Disney channel on somewhat of a regular basis. I know it seems silly, but I love their shows and they’re just entertaining. I was watching Hannah Montana with my four-year-old cousin about a month ago and was laughing my butt off. I know those shows are geared more for teenagers and younger, but they are good wholesome shows. I think that’s why I like to watch them, because they are a breath of fresh air compared to what’s on tv now. Know what I mean?
Andrea
TheNightPoet on 04 Apr 2007 at 11:08 am #
haha At the moment, my dad is watching Young Frankenstein and quoting lines from it and giggling like a school girl. lol I’m laughing my butt off at him. He’s so silly.
Andrea