Funny...How?

Many moons ago a co-worker approached a bunch of us around the water cooler and said that the previous evening he had seen a hilarious movie entitled “The Cowboy Way”. Maybe you remember it – but hopefully not. It was a bomb starring Woody Harrelson and some other guy. Anyway, luckily I made a rare wise decision and didn’t pony up my $7 and dedicate two-hours of my time to see it. One of the other unfortunate souls within earshot of the movie review actually did. Low and behold it was awful. It had something to do with a Cowboy type making his way around New York City. Think “Crocodile Dundee”, but wearing a different style hat.

Comedy Gold?
On the flip side, maybe you remember the comedy classic “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalow” (DB:MG)? I recall with great accuracy how I smirked and squirmed every time I saw a commercial for this obvious un-funny movie. It looked really bad from a distance. The Saturday after it was released in theaters my wife was going to the movies with a friend. I don’t know how it happened, but they wound up seeing DB:MG. Maybe the choices were that or anything starring Ben Affleck.

I waited at home with baited breath for the report of how bad this movie was, and how the audience threw food at the screen and demanded a refund. The results were quite the opposite. She had said that the movie was unbelievable funny – and a must see. She even offered to see it again if it helped getting me to the theater. I appreciated the offer, but told her I would wait for the video-store release.

We rented DB:MG the first day it became available. With the skepticism radar on, I watched the movie in full. I was shocked beyond belief that it was potentially one of the funniest movies I had even seen. Low brow humor at best – but it was all aces. I’ve probably watched it a half-dozen times or more since then. If you haven’t seen it yet, I advise you to rent or buy the DVD today.

The point of all this is that we all have different views of what’s funny. Sometimes it’s because of age gaps, other times it’s just because of personal taste. Even right here right now I’m sure that most readers of this blog think it’s side-splitting funny, but I’m sure there are a handful of dullards out there who think it stinks.

I have never seen a single episode of: “The Simpsons”, “Cheers” or “Will and Grace”. Yet, I can describe with great accuracy the plot of any episode of “curb your enthusiasm” starring the great Larry David. Most folk go the other way and think that I “Missed the boat” on are the great shows listed above, and Larry is annoying, boring and impossible to watch.

Will America ever agree on what’s funny? Not until tonight’s episode(s) of “Seinfeld” airs. Now that’s funny stuff, and probably the one and only time nobody at the water cooler got screwed out of time and/or money.