Laughter Is Not Dead

Joan Rivers is dead and Hollywood's celebrating.  Not because they are happy about it, but because Joan wanted it that way.  Joan Rivers, "The Madam" of comedy lived eight decades and one year, passing away from a seemingly routine surgery.  Only days before she died, Joan did an interview stating she wanted her funeral to be grand, full of laughter, music, and with paparazzi littering the red carpet.  Hollywood obeyed, and recently gave her the send off she asked for.

Joan Rivers was a shock "comedian". She pushed the envelope of comedy in every decade she performed and people revelled in it only providing more fodder for her act.  She was politically incorrect, vulgar, and knew few boundaries.  Nothing seemed sacred to her, and even in the end she mocked death and made it a laughing matter.  And oh, how Hollywood laughed along.  Headlines read  "Heaven is funnier now that Joan is there" or, "Joan is now center stage above". Late night comedy acts mocked and praised her at the same time while America glowed in the warmth and humour of it all. 

What a shame that comedy needed to stoop to the levels Joan Rivers portrayed, and what a shame that America followed along. It hasn't gotten any better, and with her death there will only be more standing in line to replace her and push the envelope even further. How low can we go!

Is comedy dead?

Its getting hard to find much funny anymore, and I admire those who are able to pull funny off without being offensive or vulgar.  Some have the ability of quick verbal wit, others with the power of the pen or keyboard, and some even through art or music.  They aren't known because they aren't mainstream, but I'm glad for them because we all need a good chuckle from time to time, or even that laugh that hurts the diaphragm, you know, the one where you cant catch a breath and feel your spleen is going to pop out of your ears?  In some way we all have the ability to illicit a chuckle or a smile.

Children do it the best! (Who can resist the uncontrollable laughter of a baby?) Mouths contort, and they begin to shake uncontrollably like a little rubber Gumby with no body control. Eyes light up in fascination. Priceless and innocent.

It takes some practice, and a little effort, but even the most stoic amongst us possesses the ability to make others smile. Give it a whirl today. Learn to laugh at things more, look for the irony in life, spot the beauty and the blemishes, and share them with someone you know. Laughter is indeed a great medicine, dispense freely, drink often.