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David • 01/18/05 • 10:32 PM:

This is definitely part of our country’s humor crisis. I agree with his decision though. His job (as well as Larson’s and Watterson’s) is extremely difficult. I couldn’t imagine having to do that. And we all know how funny I am. Although I think we’re in a crisis, new humor pops up all the time, so it seems, with the growth of what we call the world wide web. Just have a look at www.ebaumsworld.com. It’s not all funny, but some of it is diggity. And then I was so happy to be introduced to Arrested Development by Pat and Karina over Christmas. What a funny show. You’re right though, the newspaper isn’t worth reading without something funny. Bummer.

Another thought - how come EVERYTHING used to be funnier? Right? Like SNL, the comics, Dave Barry, TV sitcoms, the Simpsons? I think it’s the same nostalgic biased lens we view everything with (“kids used to be more polite”, “the world used to be a better place”, “marriages and the family unit used to be more secure”). Is in that there’s comfort in these thoughts? Is it all true? I don’t know.

David • 01/21/05 • 12:26 AM:

Lately before I go to bed, and when I’m eating breakfast in the morning, I read Gary Larson’s “The Prehistory of the Far Side”. It’s wonderful. Thanks Dan for the great gift. And unthanks whoever stole it from me in the first place (Uncle Jeff?)

Dan • 01/21/05 • 2:02 PM:

I think “everything used to be funnier” because everything used to be fresh. A lot of what doesn’t fly in today’s comics did fly back 50 years ago when it wasn’t trite. It’s not a measure of humor anymore, it’s a measure of how tired a piece is. The Simpsons was funnier 10 years ago because they didn’t have to shuffle through 1,000 episodes to see what they hadn’t written about yet. The characters hadn’t been developed fully like they are now, and the writers didn’t have to put as much time into thinking about what they had already done. That, and they had some pretty amazing writers back then.

How many bands’ last albums are as good as their first albums? (or 2nd albums)

SNL is a little different. For as long as I can remember, people have remarked at how much better SNL used to be. But, looking back, most of the old stuff we see is good, even the stuff that “isn’t as good as the old stuff.” Maybe that’s because what we see of past generations of shows and comics and other entertainment is the best of what they did. I watch SNL more now that I did 10 years ago and I think a lot of it is bad, but I also think a lot of it is really good. Now, if we’re talking about Jim Breuer on SNL, well, he was always bad.

Dad • 01/21/05 • 2:27 PM:

Dan, you make a some very good points. In fact, I think psychologists say humor is related to fear, which is related to surprise, which is related to novelty. It’s also personal, which explains why some people have no sense of humor.

Put me down as one who will miss Dave Barry. I haven’t read him regularly in recent years, but it comforted me to know that he was still out there, and David might send me his column at any time. I’m not surprise he quit, though, because, frankly, he used to be funnier.

Dad • 06/12/05 • 8:30 PM:

It’s a little late now, but I have an idea. How about we all participate in a tribute to Dave Barry by each writing a column in his style. It will be a challenge, of course; otherwise why did they pay Mr. Barry the big bucks all these years to write his humor. But I think we may be up to it. And if we’re not, that’ll be funny too, as we make fun of each others’ efforts. So how about it? I plan to do it anyway, but it would be nice to hear that someone else is planning to try it.

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