What Makes You Laugh?

[Jeff Coleman]

Xavier Renegade Angel is my favorite comedy show. I've laughed non-stop through a few of the episodes. The rapid-fire wordplay makes it good for repeat viewings also. I usually miss some jokes the first time around, probably because I was laughing at another one.

The titular character is a send-up of the guru mentality, taken so far that he comes out on the other side of wisdom.

Adult Swim Video

" title="Adult Swim Video" target="_blank">Adult Swim Video

[qcrisp]

I think the Maquis de Sade is an underrated humourist. I also like Ulrich Haarburste, though he claims not to be a humourist in the way that, "say, Dan Brown is".

Other than that:

Charlie Brooker
Chris Morris
Some Reeves and Mortimer stuff, especially Catterick.

Etc.

[Jeff Coleman]

A few authors (with websites) that make me laugh:

Jim Goad (JIM GOAD)
Michael Kelly (http://michaelkelly.artofeurope.com/)
Jon Blyth (http://blog.disappointment.com/)
Joshua Green Allen (http://www.fireland.com/)
Sam Pink (http://www.impersonalelectroniccommunication.com/)
John Hodgman (http://www.areasofmyexpertise.com/)
Jimmy Chen (http://www.jimmychenchen.com/)
'Carles' (http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/)
Dr. David Thorpe (http://www.somethingawful.com/d/your-band-sucks/)

... Those are off of the top of my head, and there are many more. I tried to pick people that might not be very well known here. I think Michael Kelly might be acquainted with Quentin S. Crisp, though. I discovered him through Quentin's blog.

I would have to think about it for a while to remember when I've laughed while reading more 'serious' authors (i.e. ones without such an obvious comedic bent), though it has often happened.

I would say Thomas Bernhard, though to be honest I haven't read much of his work. I loaned one of his books (The Loser, I think) to my dad once, and I heard him laughing every other minute while reading it. Bernhard's interviews sometimes make me laugh. I also laughed while reading an interview with Nabokov recently (http://www.theparisreview.org/viewinterview.php/prmMID/4310).

I harbor a guilty pleasure for literary rivalries. I often get pleasure when a writer dismisses or expresses hatred for another author's work in a humorous manner (such as with Bernhard and Heidegger), even if I like (or am neutral towards) the author that is getting slammed.

I often laugh while reading Tao Lin (http://heheheheheheheeheheheehehe.com/), even though he isn't a comedy writer 'per se.' I think he has 'a funny way about him.'

I think Peter Sotos has a good sense of humor, although it is hardly the first thing that comes up when people discuss his writing. Read this: http://pitchfork.com/features/show-n...show-no-mercy/, and his video/book/music reviews collected in 'Total Abuse' to see what I mean.

I have laughed a few times while reading Otto Weininger. I think in that case it is linked to a feeling of relief, like a weight (or a curse) being lifted, to read somebody saying things I think are important, but have trouble articulating, and hardly ever encounter in such a clear form in this world.

[qcrisp]

Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Coleman

I harbor a guilty pleasure for literary rivalries. I often get pleasure when a writer dismisses or expresses hatred for another author's work in a humorous manner (such as with Bernhard and Heidegger), even if I like (or am neutral towards) the author that is getting slammed.

Yes. Me too. Quite specifically. I don't know why.

[Russell Nash]

YouTube - Pachelbel Rant

[Steve Dekorte]

[theshaunz]

I was reminded of the Larry Sanders show, which is one of the most consistent, intelligent and hilarious shows I've seen

"The Larry Sanders Show is a satirical television

sitcom

Sitcom

that originally aired from August 1992 to May 1998 on the

HBO

Home_Box_Office

cable television

Cable_television

network in the

United States

United_States

. It starred stand-up comedian

Garry Shandling

Garry_Shandling

as vain, neurotic

talk show

Talk_show

host Larry Sanders, and centered on the running of his TV show, and the many people behind the scenes. It is notable for featuring

celebrities

Celebrities

playing exaggerated, self-parodying versions of themselves, and for its character-based humor. Other series which subsequently aired on HBO, such as

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb_Your_Enthusiasm

and Entourage, shared these traits."

I think it's a shame that the show has no syndication whatsoever
it holds up well

YouTube - Norm on the Larry Sanders Show

[trieffiewiles]

These are nice.

YouTube - Japanese Spider Man

YouTube - JAPANESE SPIDER-MAN TRAILER - MARVEL.COM

[Bleak&Icy]

YouTube - Tom Waits Missing my son

[hypnogeist]

Cugel the Clever stories and novels by Jack Vance. Many other episodes from JV's non-Cugel books. The Old Witch, the Crypt Keeper, and the Vault Keeper from E.C. comics.