Sunday, February 17, 2008

New History Channel special a big joke


By Barry Garron


LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -
If you liked " The
Aristocrats
" and believe in the artistry of comedians, you're
going to love "The Greatest Joke Ever Told."

Host Lewis Black, with the help of a few dozen fellow
comedians, analyzes what makes jokes funny and looks at the
conventional wisdom of stand-up comedy.

Let's stipulate that you can no more dissect jokes to see
why they are funny than you can cut up butterfly wings to
understand the beauty of their flight. But that doesn't mean
this two-hour program on the History Channel is for naught. By
listening to Black and his colleagues, you can learn a lot
about the time-tested tools that enhance jokes. Plus, you'll
hear several dozen very funny gags.

Writer-director Dave Greene divides the show into
classroom-style topics, such as physical comedy, improv, dirty
jokes, taboos and hecklers. He also asks if people are born
funny or if they acquire comedic skill and explores, albeit
briefly, gender differences in humor. He even starts the show
with the British professor whose Internet research determined
the world's funniest joke (though you might not agree.)

The wide range of comedians interviewed here is impressive.
They include Robin Williams, George Carlin, Shelly Berman,
Aisha Tyler, Kathy Griffin, Penn and Teller, George Wallace,
Robert Klein and George Lopez. There are astute contributions
from other comedians, as well, including especially Jimmy Carr,
whose analysis of humor is particularly perceptive.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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