Comedy: Never a Recession
It’s one thing that everyone is poor, roving bands of wild animals are squatting in abandoned foreclosed homes, terrorists are plotting to kill babies and the bird flu could still erupt in a sudden pandemic, but the loss of comedy seemed like the final death knell to happiness in this world. Comedians have been in a panic since January 20, when it seemed that like the rest of us, they would have to find another line of work.
But not to worry! No, Obama isn’t funny. He can form coherent sentences, knows how to open a door, dance, eat a pretzel without choking…he has all kinds of not-funny skills. So it seemed like the price we’d have to pay for competence was 4 - 8 years of not laughing at the beyond-zany foibles of our great leader. Fine, not a problem—too much to do, world is on the brink, no time for hilarity.
Butyaknow, America may be out of money but we’re not out of laughs. In fact, who knew? The Republican leaders haven’t just been hoarding cash—they’ve been hoarding humor—and now that they are the Biggest Losers, they’ve unleashed their heretofore secret treasure trove of hilarity. Are there any Bobby Jindal tee-shirts left?
I work hard at writing but it would take me years to craft a speech funnier than the Republican Response to President Obama’s speech to Congress Tuesday night. Jindal probably wrote that masterpiece in just a few hours! Frightening display of comedic talent. I’m in awe. The government is incapable of handling a major crisis so let’s not have government… Republicans have completely messed things up and destroyed the public trust…so trust the Republicans! Gosh, the sly wit, the subtle jabs, the flat out bold banana peel jocularity! And all delivered with the sophistication of a Bar Mitzvah speech!
America is in good shape. Norman Cousins pointed out the virtues of laughter and now we can rest assured that no matter how brilliant, capable, inspirational and forward-thinking this super-unfunny president might be (the nerve), we’ll have Bobby, Man-Tan Boner (sorry, haha Bay-ner), Moose Woman and all our favorite comedy headliners to keep us entertained for the foreseeable future.
Come on bird flu! We can handle it!
