I grew up watching television...lots of television. Our first set was only black and white and it was on all the time. After school, during dinner, after dinner, and in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. One of my favorite funny people is Lucille Ball. The "I Love Lucy Show" was the best! Lucy could make me giggle even if I had already seen the episode. I thought my Mom looked like Lucy (except for the red hair) when I was in elementary school. And my favorite Grandma's name was Lucy - so, Lucy felt like a member of my family. Thinking back on the hours in front of the television, Lucy and I spent a great deal of time together - perhaps more than I did with some of my family members! I loved and I still love Lucy. I often feel like my life is caught inside a lost "Lucy" episode and that always takes the edge off what might cause others to give up. Lucy taught me to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously.
When I went back to college at the age of 31 years with two kids, I needed to develop free or low cost ways to entertain us and reduce stress. The DVD titled "The Best of Gilda" did the trick for me. Gilda, like Lucy, made me giggle and grin and just laugh right out load with her skits on Saturday Night Life. She transformed herself with each character and could assume so many different roles. I have purchased several copies of this film and "loaned" copies to students who need a free or low cost way or entertaining and reducing stress. Most of these copies aren't returned to me. I'm ok with that because I know Gilda is making others grin!
I struggled to identify the third funniest person in the WORLD!! I thought of Jerry Lewis because I love his old black and white films with Dean Martin. I thought about the Three Stooges, but finally I decided to go with Jim Carrey. Like Lucy and Gilda, Jim does the most amazing comical things with this voice, facial expressions, and body. Every movement is comical and make me laugh. Part of my appreciation for his work comes from the Ace Ventura movies and my son, Scott. Scott would imitate scenes from these movies - he knew/knows the movements and the script and would re-enact these for his sister and I. When he first did this, around the age of 5 or 6, we was in a swimming pool and I had NO idea what he was doing. His sister, Liza, was cracking up and I was somewhat concerned - I thought Scott might be having a seizure. Then I realized it was a reenactment of a Jim Carrey movie and I joined Liza in the laughter.
Lucy, Gilda, and Jim - my top three funniest people in the world.
Funniest people I know personally? My brother Tim. He can always make me laugh - either through bugging me or being silly. He has been on this mission my entire life. I thank him for making me laugh. My son, Scott (see above). In addition, one of my favorite funny Scott stories: He spent the summer between his junior and senior year of high school at the High School Musical Theatre Institute at Northwestern University. At the end of the institute there is a performance that parents attend and a reception for students, faculty, and family to mingle. One of Scott's faculty had on a beautiful purple silk suit. I "think" his tie was a bright green, but I could be wrong. As Scott and I walked up to meet the faculty member, Scott said, "Whoa Charlie - where is the Chocolate Factory?" Both the faculty and I cracked up. Michelle Boettcher, a colleague of mine at ISU, writes the best blog. It always makes me laugh. Read and enjoy this blog at: http://realizingzen.blogspot.com/
Funniest people I know: Tim, Scott, Michelle.
I would prefer to spend more time with funniest people in my life rather than watching funny people. I think it would be a healthier funny and way more fun.
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