Comedy Philosophy
Comedians are really just modern-day philosophers, (well, the good ones are) a self-professed artist of observational satire, offering original and unexplored themes of the human condition by means of precise prose and poetry that elicits laughter from an unsuspecting audience primed for a tantalizing insight into the mind of a jester tasked with the privilege and challenge to win over a room full of strangers.
Sometimes it might just be a play on words, deconstructing the absurdity of what has become mundane, the mockery of an interesting difference, a funny face or sound effect, or pedestrian crowd work upon a fresh and naive audience compelled to see the edited magic of a social media personality in the very revealing crucible of a live environment. Whatever it is, both comedian and audience reveal each other to themselves, reflecting their interests and intellect simultaneously.
As our cultures transform through different eras, the language and themes in comedy change. What was acceptable so many years ago, might not be acceptable now, and what is acceptable now, may not be acceptable in the future. And comedians can be critical in these areas, as we can artfully push at these strong yet transient boundaries in order to uphold the much coveting idea of freedom to express ourselves, even if it means offending those who would rather not hear it. This can always cut in both directions too, and the circus of being offended keeps us all busy and maybe even entertained.
To laugh is a great joy, both mentally and physically. The phenomena of laughter, the exertion of air from one’s lungs to the universal tempo of “hahaha” is a natural high, elicited by something we find funny. It is a uniquely human experience, and anyone can experience it by means of a variety of stimuli. I personally think the funniest type of comedy is in the surreal, and in Japanese prank shows, neither of which I am involved in as an artist. Nothing is funnier than scaring the faecal matter from an unsuspecting victim of a well-designed prank. Maybe one day I’ll get to design a prank show that is at the level of the Japanese, but with modern western sensibilities leaning in favour of over-policing our safety for fear of legal action, I doubt we’ll see the quality of pranks our comedy pals in Japan have the freedom to do.
To make people laugh is a real joy, it makes a comedian feel big and clever, it can also result in fame and fortune, however even those rewards can leave a celebrated jester miserable offstage, as we’ve seen with some of the most famous comedians in the world. This reminds me that as a comedian, I have earned my place as the court jester amongst the people, but that I am also responsible for my own joy too. The modern world places an enormous levy on joy, that it must be hard-earned, only indulged-in as a result of a gruelling devotion to the demands of a capitalism that now offers less and less respite or reward for more and more joyless work.
Yet the phenomena of joy remains, the potential for laughter is always with us, and any one of us can indulge in it. It’s important that we spread the joy of laughter the best we can across the world, for the soldiers of misery are forever beating at the door of our souls each and every day. Their role in this life is to be empowered by the burden of darkness, to those of us who are blessed to bring the light of joy into this world.
