←  Back to Home
19FCC522-BC07-48DE-A1BD-A8FE5C8680A6
Claudia Singletary

Claudia Singletary

Why can’t we laugh?

Recently I saw where Ricky Gervais mused about how the BBC version of The Office TV series would not be allowed today.  Just 20 years ago (it aired 2001 – 2002), people weren’t so scared to say funny things.

The comedy of both the BBC and American versions of The Office is that the boss totally can’t understand differences.  Both David Brent and Michael Scott are completely inept at social cues and have no sense of protocol or appropriateness.  And when they try to have it, things only get worse.  

The shows are not laughing at people being fat or gay or trans or ex-convicts or women or minorities or old.  They are making fun of the people who can’t handle others not being like themselves.  In truth, those shows could be considered some of the most “woke”, if you’re into wokeness.

The problem is that we’ve lost the sense of enjoying subtlety, irony, sarcasm, and that delightful crucial ability to laugh at ourselves.  Those wonderful tools of comedy are, sadly to my way of thinking, becoming obsolete.  Comedy is allowed to make fun of political figures or be a silly sitcom.  That’s it.  Everything has to teach a lesson very directly and virtue-signal.  It’s kinda like poetry has vanished from the world. Everything must be preachy prose.

Many years ago, my father watched All in the Family almost religiously.  Archie Bunker was a racist, sexist, hippie-hater.  He was the main character, but (listen carefully) not the protagonist.  The entire show led you to see that this man was going to have to change.  

In one of the most famous episodes, Sammy Davis, Jr. comes over to the Bunker household to retrieve his briefcase which he accidentally left in Archie’s taxi.  Archie warns wife Edith (“Dingbat”) over and over to be so careful not to mention Mr. Davis’ glass eye (“…whatever else you blab about, don’t say nothing about his eye.”) He’s so focused on her possible faux pas that he himself ends up asking Sammy as he hands him a cup of coffee, “Do you take cream or sugar in your eye?”  

At the end of the episode, he consents to having a picture taken of him and Sammy. At the count of three, the star gives Archie a big kiss on the cheek just in time for the shutter click.  Joke is, as always, on Archie, who gives his classic long-suffering weary look to the camera.  

My father was not a racist, sexist man.  He may have done a little hippie-disparaging, but not hating.  He saw that all of us have some blind spots — some Archie Bunker-isms —in us that need to get worked-out.  He told me of a friend of his who wouldn’t allow the show to air in his home. The reason was, said my father, that this friend was very like Archie Bunker.  This man saw the humor was directed at him and was not amused at all.

I mourn this lack of humor.  I think it’s high time we celebrate differences in a healthy way, not forcing them nor ridiculing them.  Let’s just be people and good people at that.  

And please please.  Can we get our sense of humor back?

Share this post

275 Responses

  1. Great blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little
    lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform
    like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..

    Any tips? Many thanks!

    Reply
  2. Pingback: black cialis overnight
  3. Pingback: zoloft and alcohol
  4. Pingback: metronidazole picture
  5. Pingback: max dose of duloxetine
  6. Pingback: drinking on escitalopram
  7. Pingback: fluoxetine and sleep
  8. Pingback: where to buy viagra online uk
  9. Pingback: keflex for uti reviews
  10. Pingback: gabapentin natural
  11. Pingback: can cymbalta cause itching
  12. Pingback: lexapro for ptsd
  13. Pingback: does cephalexin work for ear infection
  14. Pingback: azithromycin dosage for 4 month old
  16. Pingback: what should i avoid while taking ciprofloxacin
  17. Pingback: what is cephalexin 500mg
  18. Pingback: bactrim allergic reaction
  19. Pingback: bactrim prescription

  20. Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you
    using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers
    and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Reply

  22. Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google whilst searching for a comparable topic, your site got here
    up, it appears to be like great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply was aware of your blog thru Google, and located that it’s really informative.
    I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will appreciate in case you continue this in future.
    Many other people will probably be benefited from your
    writing. Cheers!

    Reply
  23. Pingback: does amoxicillin help covid
  24. Pingback: can you stop taking neurontin suddenly
  25. Pingback: lexapro and contrave
  26. Pingback: ddavp dosing enuresis
  27. Pingback: depakote interactions
  28. Pingback: flomax blood urine
  29. Pingback: is flexeril an nsaid
  30. Pingback: what is diclofenac
  31. Pingback: simultaneous determination of ezetimibe and simvastatin in pharmaceutical preparations by mekc
  32. Pingback: citalopram (celexa)
  33. Pingback: diltiazem cream
  34. Pingback: effexor xr side effects
  35. Pingback: cozaar side effects
  36. Pingback: augmentin dosing for children
  37. Pingback: para que sirve amitriptyline 10 mg
  38. Pingback: allopurinol 300 mg
  39. Pingback: risperidone and aripiprazole
  40. Pingback: can dogs have aspirin
  41. Pingback: bupropion-naltrexone
  42. Pingback: celecoxib 200 mg dosage
  43. Pingback: best ashwagandha brand
  44. Pingback: how long do side effects of augmentin last
  45. Pingback: how long does buspar take to work
  46. Pingback: semaglutide staten island
  47. Pingback: robaxin wikipedia
  48. Pingback: what is co-repaglinide
  49. Pingback: abilify maintena side effects
  50. Pingback: acarbose therapy
  51. Pingback: remeron lawsuit
  52. Pingback: what does protonix do
  53. Pingback: actos revolucionarios
  54. Pingback: can i take tizanidine with tylenol
  55. Pingback: administering synthroid
  56. Pingback: tapering off venlafaxine
  57. Pingback: ivermectin 2
  58. Pingback: voltaren gel for back spasms
  59. Pingback: how long does it take for sitagliptin to work
  60. Pingback: tamsulosin cataract operation
  61. Pingback: spironolactone and adderall xr
  62. Pingback: cheap levitra pills
  63. Pingback: cialis online pills
  64. Pingback: levitra buy online
  65. Pingback: tadalafil 10mg price
  66. Pingback: ambien pharmacy no prescription
  67. Pingback: do you need a prescription for sildenafil
  68. Pingback: sildenafil vs cialis
  69. Pingback: flovent online pharmacy
  70. Pingback: tadalafil tablets
  71. Pingback: buy sildenafil online uk
  72. Pingback: ivermectin 0.5%
  73. Pingback: tadalafil and vardenafil
  74. Pingback: vardenafil troches
  75. Pingback: ivermectin over the counter
  76. Pingback: ivermectin 20 mg
  77. Pingback: tadalafil generic online
  78. Pingback: ivermectin cost in usa
  79. Pingback: where to get viagra in australia
  80. Pingback: stromectol how much it cost
  81. Pingback: ivermectin 90 mg

  82. Watch video clips from the guy’s point of view to feel just like you’re right in the center
    of the action and get a good view! You can find big booties in virtually any other category it is possible
    to think about! Whether you’re into curvy teens, attractive
    MILFs, or thick Asians, they all have an area
    here. Check out the bouncing, backshots,
    and amazing action in group sex, gangbangs, anal, one-on-one, and much
    more. https://maps.google.com.sg/url?sa=t&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schiffsmodellbaufreunde.de%2Fgbuch%2Fgo.php%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fhot-joynbpc470258.csublogs.com%2F32979563%2Fwhat-does-nudes-mean-what-s-it

    Reply
  83. Pingback: trazodone and ambien together
  84. Pingback: modafinil drug interactions
  85. Pingback: prednisone and benadryl
  86. Pingback: switching from lisinopril to losartan
  87. Pingback: cipro
  88. Pingback: can i take doxycycline 8 hours apart
  89. Pingback: metformin generic name
  90. Pingback: chances of getting herpes with condom and valtrex
  91. Pingback: cephalexin vs keflex
  92. Pingback: lyrica pregabalin
  93. Pingback: cephalexin 500mg
  94. Pingback: amoxicillin and clavulanate side effects in adults
  95. Pingback: how long does tamoxifen stay in your system

  96. My husband and i have been absolutely fortunate Michael could round up his investigation through the entire precious recommendations he discovered out of the site. It’s not at all simplistic just to find yourself releasing methods which often men and women have been trying to sell. And we all know we have the website owner to give thanks to for this. Most of the illustrations you have made, the simple web site menu, the relationships your site aid to foster – it is most great, and it’s making our son and us believe that this subject is cool, and that’s incredibly serious. Many thanks for the whole thing!

    Reply

  97. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    Reply

  100. I don’t even know the way I finished up here, however I thought this submit was great.
    I don’t understand who you are however certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already.
    Cheers!

    Reply

  103. I discovered your weblog website on google and examine a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the superb operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to studying more from you afterward!…

    Reply

  104. Some genuinely fantastic posts on this web site, appreciate it for contribution. “When he has ceased to hear the many, he may discern the One – the inner sound which kills the outer.” by H Hahn Blavatsky.

    Reply
  105. Pingback: british pharmacy online
  106. Pingback: can you take sildenafil and tadalafil together
  107. Pingback: what happens when women take viagra
  108. Pingback: levitra side effects
  109. Pingback: vardenafil canada
  110. Pingback: sildenafil used for
  111. Pingback: tadalafil or sildenafil which is better
  112. Pingback: when to take sildenafil
  113. Pingback: sildenafil citrate
  114. Pingback: sildenafil prescription
  115. Pingback: viagra cialis levitra
  116. Pingback: cialis half life
  117. Pingback: can you take levitra and viagra together
  118. Pingback: how to take tadalafil
  119. Pingback: levitra pharmacy coupon
  120. Pingback: difference between tadalafil and sildenafil
  121. Pingback: sildenafil and nitroglycerin
  122. Pingback: cheapest cialis
  123. Pingback: oxycodone online pharmacy reviews
  124. Pingback: tamoxifen pharmacy
  126. Pingback: sulfasalazine retail price
  127. Pingback: tegretol with grapefruit juice
  128. Pingback: is it safe to take ibuprofen with cymbalta
  129. Pingback: etodolac vs ibuprofen
  130. Pingback: reacciones adversas cilostazol
  131. Pingback: how to discontinue elavil
  132. Pingback: amitriptyline names

  134. Hey I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Digg
    for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just
    like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have bookmarked
    it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep
    up the awesome job.

    Reply
  135. Pingback: can you take meloxicam and xanax together
  136. Pingback: imdur epocrates
  137. Pingback: lioresal picture
  138. Pingback: mobic adderall interaction
  139. Pingback: azathioprine brands in india
  140. Pingback: sumatriptan and growth hormone
  141. Pingback: does generic maxalt work
  142. Pingback: liver disease and imuran
  143. Pingback: does cyproheptadine make you drowsy
  144. Pingback: cheap toradol without a prescription
  145. Pingback: street value of tizanidine 4mg
  146. Pingback: what is periactin tablets used for
  147. Pingback: carpet express artane opening hours
  148. Pingback: cost of cheap ketorolac prices
  149. Pingback: zanaflex and heart problems

  150. Hey very cool website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find numerous useful info here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

    Reply

  151. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

    Reply

  173. I in addition to my guys were found to be reading through the great suggestions on your site while unexpectedly developed a terrible suspicion I never thanked the blog owner for those secrets. Most of the young men had been for that reason very interested to learn all of them and have pretty much been using them. Many thanks for being indeed kind and also for picking out this sort of fantastic ideas millions of individuals are really wanting to learn about. My personal sincere apologies for not expressing gratitude to sooner.

    Reply

  216. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Regards!

    Reply

  230. I was very happy to seek out this web-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this excellent read!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.

    Reply

  234. I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been working with? I’m having some small security issues with my latest website and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply

  241. Thanks for another magnificent post. Where else may anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

    Reply

  242. Very good blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

    Reply

  244. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great site.

    Reply

  254. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Reply

  259. Thank you for another informative website. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such an ideal manner? I have a project that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.

    Reply

  261. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.

    Reply

  262. Its such as you learn my mind! You seem to grasp a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with a few percent to force the message house a bit, but other than that, that is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Reply

  267. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

    Reply

  268. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.

    Reply

  269. excellent publish, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

    Reply

  270. Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your website is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal site.

    Reply

  271. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

    Reply

  275. I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Billy3532 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share Mississippi Wabi-Sabi: