Absurd? Maybe Not
There's a comedian who was popular in the Eighties whose name is Steven Wright. He's still around but not as well-known now.
Steven's performances are unusual. He tells jokes in a dead monotone, focusing all attention on his material. His jokes are about absurd ideas -- but if you think about them, they contain a kernel of truth. That contrast creates humor.
Rather than describe Steven's material, let me give you some of his observations:
I was wondering how my life would have been different if I'd been borne one day earlier. Then I thought maybe it wouldn't have been different other than I would have asked that question yesterday.
It was the first time I was ever in love. I learned a lot. Before then, I never even thought about killing myself.
I went to the supermarket today. I picked up some milk and went up to the register and I said, "Hi. How are you?" and she said "Will that be all?" and I said, "No, I want to buy this."
Next week I'm going to have a MRI to find out if I have claustrophobia.
A friend of mine has a trophy-wife but apparently it wasn't First Place.
I bought a new camera. It's very advanced. You don't even need it.
I bought an iPod. It can hold 5,000 songs or one telephone message from my mother.
You know, if heat rises, Heaven might be hotter than Hell.
My doctor told me I shouldn't work out any more until I'm in better shape.
One of my grandfathers died when he was a little boy.
I was driving down the highway and saw a guy hitchhiking. He had a sign that said "Heaven." So I hit him.
You know, the Earth is bipolar.
She was a mail-order bridesmaid.
She drank so much she slurred her pauses.
She was studying forensic astronomy.
I'm writing an unauthorized autobiography.
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Have you heard of Steven Wright? Do you think any of these jokes are funny?
Steven's performances are unusual. He tells jokes in a dead monotone, focusing all attention on his material. His jokes are about absurd ideas -- but if you think about them, they contain a kernel of truth. That contrast creates humor.
Rather than describe Steven's material, let me give you some of his observations:
I was wondering how my life would have been different if I'd been borne one day earlier. Then I thought maybe it wouldn't have been different other than I would have asked that question yesterday.
It was the first time I was ever in love. I learned a lot. Before then, I never even thought about killing myself.
I went to the supermarket today. I picked up some milk and went up to the register and I said, "Hi. How are you?" and she said "Will that be all?" and I said, "No, I want to buy this."
Next week I'm going to have a MRI to find out if I have claustrophobia.
A friend of mine has a trophy-wife but apparently it wasn't First Place.
I bought a new camera. It's very advanced. You don't even need it.
I bought an iPod. It can hold 5,000 songs or one telephone message from my mother.
You know, if heat rises, Heaven might be hotter than Hell.
My doctor told me I shouldn't work out any more until I'm in better shape.
One of my grandfathers died when he was a little boy.
I was driving down the highway and saw a guy hitchhiking. He had a sign that said "Heaven." So I hit him.
You know, the Earth is bipolar.
She was a mail-order bridesmaid.
She drank so much she slurred her pauses.
She was studying forensic astronomy.
I'm writing an unauthorized autobiography.
---------
Have you heard of Steven Wright? Do you think any of these jokes are funny?
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