For my response paper, I chose the more exciting idea to forward a post from one of my colleagues and pus it into this week by connecting their ideas with my own and the topics of this week's readings. The reason I chose this was because I really enjoyed their blog post regarding how humor can sometimes not be very funny and how they connected it to their own lives
It was nice to hear how others understand that there is a line between being funny and just kind of being a dick. While they put it in a more polite manner, I enjoyed their post explaining how they personally experienced this from someone they cared about. Which is usually when it hurts the most, and you most often are told to, "take a joke."
I was not surprised that it was a female explaining this experience, not because men are not subjected to criticizing "humor" but because I feel that it is much more addressed towards women when someone is offended by a crude joke. While last week seemed to focus on the representation of women and gender in comedy, this week revolved around the idea that women can be funny, and women can also be successful. Both this week and last week mentioned women succeeding and a How To guide to making it in a man's world, and I think that this is because it is always going to be relevant.
Although, just because we are fighting to make it in a man's world, doesn't mean that women have to stop being women. Poehler's book showcased this in the best way by explaining how, while she was still working her way into the world of comedy, she never stopped or tried to change her status as a woman. She kept her feminine and femme fatale personality, and was hilarious while she did it! Showing that she was a female force to be reckoned with to all genders, audiences, and producers.
She and Karling also showed how women are naturally funny - not in the stereotypical sense of a ditzy female - but as a human. Their tales of pregnancy, birth, heartache, and fantasy romance shows the different sides of women that are often overlooked and talks about real life moments, in a more comfortable and light-hearted manner. This light-heartnedness in regard to the everyday happenings: farts, the body, food, nature, and just people in general is something that we need now more than ever with the world the way it is. It reminds us that we are all human and we are all goofy in our own way. There is the connection that humor brings into our lives that can overpower even the tensest of situations.
That is, as long as it's polite humor and not just making fun of someone because you can't think of anything else to say.
this isn't the type of polite humor I meant, but it is definitely an example.
I really enjoyed your take on criticizing "humor". My friends and I live by this. We constantly are ribbing each other and making jokes at the others expense. Sometimes I do wonder if we cross the line with one another. If there is any truth behind each "joke" or am I not "reading between the lines". It's easy to start getting into your feelings and question what's being said.
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed out in Poehler's book she is a female force to be reckoned with! One of my favorites. She has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she in at the top with the best of them. Proven that it doesn't matter if you are a women in a man's world that she can hold her own on stage, in film and in television as a lead roll. I never realized how hard it was on her and other females in the business.
You said, "There is the connection that humor brings into our lives that can overpower even the tensest of situations." Poehler's first SNL appearance was 2 weeks after 9/11. As seen in this clip comedy does connect people and overpower the tensest situations;
https://youtu.be/Tt94iNX80ZU
[This comment is from Cara. Cara is having problems posting her comments, so I am doing it for her. She emailed them to me.] I really enjoyed reading through your topic and how you tied in Poehler and Kaling and some of their writing characteristics to help support your chosen topic. I'm especially interested in your topic and enjoyed your brief further elaboration on the subject. I also like the picture you included. While it is not directed towards your specific topic I think it still blends in well with your post and is a nice touch!
ReplyDeleteKrista, I enjoyed reading how you tied in the life and work of Amy Poehler with your argument of how women can be both funny and successful. I think Amy is a great example of that, as she shows in her book. I also appreciate how you pointed out the lighthearted nature of both Mindy Kaling and Amy Poehler's humor. I think this is an important piece of what makes both of them so funny! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you say that “ There is the connection that humor brings into our lives that can overpower even the tensest of situations.” I have found this to be especially true in life and both Poehler and Kaling highlight this in their writing. I also liked how you said that though we’re fighting to make it in a man’s world that doesn’t mean we have to stop being women. Both of these women authors are uncompromising in their efforts to show that their gender is an important part of who they are and you’ve highlighted this very well in your post.
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