News and Updates

Scott Adams - Dilbert

The creative artistry of comedians and humorists is truly wondrous. A sense of humor can enlighten perspectives and/or calm life's tensions. More common than not a sense of humor is made manifest in combination with other art forms (music, drawing, writing, acting, etc.). But humor, like love is in the eye of the beholder.

Through Dilbert, Scott Adams shared a humorous perspective of much that comprises corporate work life. When at work my day usually began by reading the daily Dilbert comic script. Typically my more hectic days were more tolerable when they started with a laugh. Click or tap here or on the photo to see one of Scott's scripts.

Rob Reiner - Meathead, and So Much More

Rob and his father Carl seemed genetically predisposed to have hyperactive funny bones. Carl set the stage hobnobbing with the likes of Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, and Woody Allen. "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was a well known creation of Carl. Rob, early in his career, starred as Mike Stivic (Meathead) in the Norman Lear sitcom "All in the Family". Later he directed Oscar Winning films. Rob's comedy "When Harry Met Sally", illuminated relationships much like Scott's comic strip illuminated life in an office cubicle.

Toward the end of his life Rob was known for his political activism. His devotion to his political causes was sincere and often much more thoughtful than the ad hoc commentary from Hollywood.

Hysterically (& historically) fabulous funny bones

Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Will started as an Vaudevillian actor, but transformed his career to a prolific author and humorist. He was known for his witty social/political commentary that spanned generations. There were no sacred cows for Will Rogers. All, including himself, were commentary subjects. He readily comes to mind because of the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and the current need for humorous and sagacious political commentary.

Harold Lloyd (1893-1971)

Lloyd was a funny man of no words. Formal introduction to the artistic and humorous acting talent of Harold Lloyd occurred with a weekend silent movie performance - accompaniment by our church organist. The organist, Andrew Peters, favored the talent of Lloyd. Andy was a good judge of humor. His lively and interactive organ accompaniment of Safety Last amplified Lloyd's incredible talent. In the pre-talkie era of movies, words were at a premium and only displayed, not spoken, in rare vignettes. Lloyd could not only act, he was able to effortlessly convey humor and connection with the viewers of his movies.

Not surprisingly, no quote is shared from Harold

Charles Schultz (1922-2000)

The creator of Peanuts reflected powerfully on his own life in the life of Charlie Brown and friends. The diverse appeal to so many identities made his work universally popular. And though his artistic work humorously shared life challenges, the outcomes were all inclusive comfort and hope. Schulz helped personify the best of life in Minnesota and the US.

Victor Borge (1909-2000)

As is common with many who have a keen sense of humor, Victor excelled in multiple artistic disciplines (pianist, acting, story telling, etc.). Victor with his Danish heritage and his humor expressed through music was able to span international and ethnic boundaries. Like Will's commentary and Charles' comic strips, Victor's performances attested to a joy for life. His happiness and humor were contagious. Click or tap on the photo of Victor to see one of his performances.

Lucille Ball (1911-1989)

There are countless women with a phenomenal sense of humor. The I Love Lucy TV series encapsulated the artistic talents of Lucille Ball. Even when one knew the punch line was coming, Lucille's ability to expressively use her face and actions (similar to Harold Lloyd) made the small screen big in so many homes.

Though Lucy made everyone laugh, Lucille is one of those comedians (maybe like Robin Williams) that never seemed innately happy with their life. She seemed to aspire to be a beautiful world renown actress, while at the same time wanting to live a normal life. Her fame frustrated normality, frustrated her marriage and frustrated her life. She kept exploring options for famous normality; often surrounded by people and seemingly lonely.

"I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done." (Lucille Ball)

Tim Conway (1933-2019), Harvey Korman (1927-2008) and Carol Burnett (1933-)

Humor is relational. So maybe it is no wonder that comedy teams (Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, or The Smothers Brothers, for example) are historically popular.

Tim, Harvey and Carol were a slightly more contemporary comedy team most often showcased on the Carol Burnett Show (1967-1991). It was music and laughs. Tim Conway excelled as an impromptu comedian with exquisite timing (with characters like an old man, or a new Dentist). Scott Adams must of enjoyed Tim's boss character where Carol played Mrs Wiggins. Harvey was one of the most talented straight men ever. Except he did have a hard time staying in character when Tim was Tim.

"Comedy is tragedy - plus time." Carol Burnettt

Garrison Keillor (1942-)

Garrison was an author, humorist and musician. He brought folksy stories of Lake Wobegon to life. Only he could make a big deal of Powder-Milk Biscuits, Rhubarb Pie and Norwegian Bachelor Farmers in his books and on his weekly Prairie Home Companion radio show. His annual joke show was a favorite.

Unfortunately his humorous connection with a broad swath of the common folk was diminished when he infused overt and one-sided political commentary into his shows and columns. Similar to Rob Reiner and others, Garrison's obsession with the exploration of the humorous side of life was superceded towards the end of his career by an obsession for politics and political correctness. Ironically, political correctness and perhaps bad behavior, cast a more solemn shadow on his career.

Attributes of enduring humor include, it is:

Related to everyday life and life experiences
Grounded in universal truths or common sense
More self depreciating than mean spirited
Illuminating of character for the artist or subject
Amplification of words, but less than many words
A celebration of the imperfect versus the perfect
Timing, where pauses and pace make or break

The story of the Cross-Eyed Bull

Source: Unknown*

A rancher owned the most perfect bull. This bull could've won the blue ribbon at any state fair save for one defect, his eyes were crossed. One day the county agent was admiring the bull, and questioned the rancher on why he wasn't competing. Alas, it is the eyes replied the rancher.

Not to worry said the agent, this defect can be remedied. He asked the rancher for a half inch pipe, about 4 feet long. Then sticking the pipe up the bull's tail he took a deep breath and blew into the other end. Sure enough, the eyes uncrossed. However, after a minute or so the eyes crossed again.

The farmer exclaimed, wow that was amazing. Maybe you didn't blow hard enough for it to be permanent. Let me give it a try. Pulling the pipe out of the bull's tail and turning it around, the farmer then blew hard into the pipe. Success! The agent with a happy but disturbed look on his face then asked, 'why did you turn the pipe around?' I didn't want to get your germs replied the rancher.

* FIRST HEARD THIS STORY FROM HALVARD RUNNING WHILE HE WAS PLAYING CHESS WITH WARREN. HALVARD WAS KNOWN TO TRY AND DISTRACT AN OPPONENT WHILE PLAYING CHESS. HALVARD'S FULL TIME JOB WAS A LUTHERAN PASTOR. THOUGH THIS STORY NEVER MADE A SERMON, IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR HALVARD TO USE A HUMOROUS STORY TO HELP LISTENERS FOCUS ON WHAT WAS GOING TO BE SHARED. ONLY HUMOR CAN SO NICELY DISTRACT AND FOCUS OUR THOUGHTS.