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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Fido on February 12, 2007, 08:06:45 PM

Title: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Fido on February 12, 2007, 08:06:45 PM

When you're feeling blue (this happens to me more than I'd like to admit), what movies do you watch, what comedians do you watch, what books or writers do you read, or what TV or radio shows do you tune into to pick yourself back up with a little bit of comedy?

The stuff I check out is not necessarily the BEST comedy I know of, but it is the stuff that I know will reliably make me feel better.  What I have in mind here is the comedic equivalent of comfort food.

The Best Show archives definitely do the trick for me as well as anything.  Others include:

Ren and Stimpy
The Simpsons
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Seinfeld
The Big Lebowski
Raising Arizona
MASH (yup, like I said, not necessarily the best, it's just that somehow it does the trick)
David Sedaris
Some of Woody Allen's movies -- very selectively and in moderation
Pee Wee Herman (see parenthetical note above)
The Marx Brothers (ditto)
Airplane!  (same deal)
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Old W.C. Fields movies
Laughter on the 23rd Floor (the movie)
And yes, Tom's perennial favorite, Caddyshack

Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: KickTheBobo on February 12, 2007, 08:20:21 PM
Victor Borge + a bottle of Robitussin = bliss

from Wikipedia

Among Borge's other famous routines is the "Phonetic Punctuation" routine, in which he recites a story, with full punctuation (comma, period, exclamation mark, etc.) as onomatopoetic sounds. Another is his "Inflationary Language", where he incremented numbers embedded in words, whether they are visible or not ("inflate" becomes "inflnine", "before" becomes "befive", "Tea For Two" becomes "Tea Five Three", etc).
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Dorvid Barnas on February 12, 2007, 08:25:54 PM
Victor Borge + a bottle of Robitussin = bliss
... "Inflationary Language", where he incremented numbers embedded in words, whether they are visible or not ("inflate" becomes "inflnine", "before" becomes "befive", "Tea For Two" becomes "Tea Five Three", etc).[/i]

Here's the Victor Borge bit  (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YY6kElOYcd8)described above.  I'd need something strong to get through it as well, KTB.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Chris L on February 12, 2007, 09:34:47 PM
Kids in the Hall.  The theme song alone is like an old friend. 

MST3K as well. 
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Dorvid Barnas on February 13, 2007, 03:23:05 AM
I have what some doctors might call "flagrant depression", but in the spirit of tonight's guest, I recommend the following treatment:

 CC Presents: Zach Galifianakis  (http://youtube.com/watch?v=lBgC4sWRyX0)

 Zach Galifianakis and Kevin Federline (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xbx7Od6QbNU)

Stereolaffs usually does the trick, as well - especially Gas Station Dogs and Kid eBay. 

Prozac Schmozac...
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: kenkwan on February 13, 2007, 09:43:30 AM
My Bloody Valentine- Loveless

Oh, you said Comedy

Then, Galaxie 500.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Emily on February 13, 2007, 10:15:55 AM
don't forget Mr.Show!

and Buffy, for when I'm feeling lonely (some good librarian humor..)
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Laurie on February 13, 2007, 10:39:10 AM
Sifl & Olly always seems to do the trick. Oh, Chester. I love that little guy.

Hey, Emily, are you a librarian? I'm quitting my current job and seeking a job in the library system. I want to pursue a master's degree in library science, and there are four schools that look pretty appealing to me.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: kenkwan on February 13, 2007, 11:12:22 AM
The mid to late nineties were pretty good times for Librarians. You had "Party Girl" with Parker Posey, and Giles on Buffy.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Sarah on February 13, 2007, 11:34:23 AM
When I'm feeling really lousy, I mostly go for the original Dawn of the Dead or Buffy.  They are my comfort viewing.  I don't usually feel any desire for pure comedy when I'm glum.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Laurie on February 13, 2007, 12:44:08 PM
That "Prom" episode always makes me cry. And I didn't even like Buffy and Angel together. I blame their adroit use of the Sundays' "Wild Horses" cover.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Emily on February 13, 2007, 01:05:20 PM
I may have to watch "Surprise!" followed by "Innocence" tomorrow, in honor of Valentine's Day, . . .

Laurie, yes, I am a librarian/archivist in training, and i will gladly tell you all I know about library science school & the various programs & prospecitve career options (of which there are MANY).

Hit me with your queries!
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: John Junk on February 13, 2007, 02:18:24 PM
Better Off Dead is good.  
Wayne's World was funny to me from 1992 through around 2002.  From 1997 - 2002 it was mostly funny in an unintentional meta-humor sense.
I agree about the Kids in the Hall and will also proffer Brain Candy, the KITH movie (which is totally about the legitimacy of being sad!).
I like Rushmore but I don't know if that counts as comedy.
"Freaks and Geeks"
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Laurie on February 13, 2007, 02:19:47 PM
See, "Freaks and Geeks" makes me cry, too! I'm such a girl.

"Kim Kelly Is My Friend" made me cry buckets.

And Emily, I intend to take you up on that offer. I have a couple of basic questions. I'll email you a list of the schools I'm thinking about, all of which are ALA accredited.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Emerson on February 13, 2007, 02:31:31 PM
Anything involving Rudy Ray Moore.

~EmD
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: kenkwan on February 13, 2007, 02:35:54 PM
Was Disco Godfather an intentional comedy?

I like Office Space if I'm sick.

The Buffy where Joyce dies is up there. I liked how quiet that episode was.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Sarah on February 13, 2007, 03:15:54 PM
Well, not as quiet as "Hush," but much more moving, I grant you (and no music).

I often go for the musical.  Viewing it frequently concludes one of my alienating (or alienated) evenings in the bar.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Fido on February 13, 2007, 08:32:50 PM
I like Rushmore but I don't know if that counts as comedy.

Rushmore definitely counts as comedy in my book.  I'd have to add that to my list as well.

Kids In the Hall works nicely for me too.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: A.M. Thomas on February 13, 2007, 09:18:43 PM
It's Arrested Development.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on February 14, 2007, 02:16:48 PM
Not to be a suck-up, but I love to spin TBS archives, the Bridge over troubled water to Sathington episode being particularly touching.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Emerson on February 14, 2007, 03:10:58 PM
Not to be a suck-up, but I love to spin TBS archives, the Bridge over troubled water to Sathington episode being particularly touching.

I go to Rudy Ray when I'm depressed. I go to Tom when I'm disenfranchised.

~EmD
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Eric on March 04, 2007, 08:31:12 PM
So many of my choices have already been mentioned: "Freaks and Geeks" is comforting just to think about. Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, Home Movies, Dr. Katz, Mystery Science Theatre...I agree with them all. I might add "Late Night with Conan" to the list and old episodes of "The Simpsons". Obviously a "Best Show" listening is always good medicine. "Ghostbusters" is my 'sick movie'.

And then these which I may be the only fan of on here....

-Grounded for Life
-Boy Meets World
-The Wonder Years

I don't know how much my view of them has been distorted by nostalgia, but they are nothing if not comforting.

Not to sound sappy, but it's sorta comforting to see that other people are as into this stuff as I am, as I have found reading this board and "aspecialthing". I guess it's pretty much universally agreed that comedy can be therapeutic but I often take this for granted. This was a good topic, Fido.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Andy on March 04, 2007, 09:02:09 PM
Cabin Boy
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Jarno on March 04, 2007, 09:35:19 PM
Like others mentioned, Dr Katz, Home Movies, Seinfeld and the archives.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Laurie on March 04, 2007, 11:14:07 PM
-Boy Meets World

Oh man, I loved that show. I can't explain why. I wish Mr. Feeny were my neighbor.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: John Junk on March 05, 2007, 06:26:24 PM
Boy Meets World??

That show was almost as creepy as Zoobilee Zoo.

http://www.zoobileezoo.com/
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Eric on March 05, 2007, 10:31:17 PM
Boy Meets World??

That show was almost as creepy as Zoobilee Zoo.

http://www.zoobileezoo.com/

Yea, I was pretty sure it wouldn't earn me any credit. I don't know, was it that bad? A lot of 90's sitcoms had a creepiness to them. The episode where Fred Savage played a perverted teacher was pretty creepy, and some of the other episodes from that era. It's definitely a guilty pleasure.

Quote
Oh man, I loved that show. I can't explain why. I wish Mr. Feeny were my neighbor.

Yes, he and "Eric" were always my favorites.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: TL on March 06, 2007, 01:27:45 AM
Say what you want - I'm not ashamed - "Grandma's Boy" is my favorite comedy fillum of the last few years.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: buffcoat on March 06, 2007, 09:37:06 PM
Beverly Hills 90210.

Cabin Boy was the most disappointing movie of all time.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Eric on April 02, 2007, 08:14:39 PM
I had to bring this back for one of my favorite comedies that just came out on DVD, "Safe Men". I still can't believe it got a DVD release. I figured I'd always have to rely on my 6 dollar vhs copy I bought used off of amazon.

Has anyone else seen it? It seems to be pretty unknown. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially fans of Wes Anderson's first couple movies....Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, and Paul Giamatti have my eternal respect for their performances in this....

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120813/
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Sploops on April 03, 2007, 09:47:00 AM
Safe Men is pretty great.  "Sweet 'stache.  Thanks, bro."

I was profoundly ill a few years ago and old vhs taped off the tv episodes of the Young Ones and MST3K got me through it.

I'm always up for cheesy 80's comedies - Better Off Dead, Ferris Buehler, One Crazy Summer, Revenge of the Nerds, Weird Science, The Burbs, etc. - when I'm down in the dumps.  They're comfortable.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Omar on April 03, 2007, 09:49:07 AM
Safe Men is pretty great.  "Sweet 'stache.  Thanks, bro."

I was profoundly ill a few years ago an old vhs taped off the tv episodes of the Young Ones and MST3K got me threw it.

I'm always up for cheesy 80's comedies - Better Off Dead, Ferris Buehler, One Crazy Summer, Revenge of the Nerds, Weird Science, The Burbs, etc. when I'm down in the dumps.  They're like comfort food for the soul.


FB ain't cheesy!  I love Bruce Dern's performance in The 'Burbs, which is an underrated film.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Rainer on April 08, 2007, 06:04:12 PM
I have a third-generation VHS copy of Spaulding Gray's "Monster in a Box" which I enjoy watching when I am sad.  I cannot watch a DVD version of that film -- I need the skips, snow and warbles.  Saw him in Washington, D.C. doing his "Slippery Slope."  Can't believe he nose-dived himself.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: Laurie on April 08, 2007, 07:05:39 PM
I can't help but hear this song (http://www.songfight.org/music/spalding_gray_is_missing/lemonparty_sgim.mp3) when someone mentions Spalding Gray.

It made me cry the first time I heard it, which I think was through Matty Fluxblog's blog.
Title: Re: What comedy makes you happy when you're feeling lousy?
Post by: buffcoat on April 09, 2007, 11:02:29 AM
I always got Spaulding Gray mixed up with character actor Austin Pendelton, who I also (kind of) got mixed up with frequent Law and Order guester Mark Margolis.

You know, honestly, you can throw post-Data Brent Spiner in there now, too.

Of course, at one time I got R.E.M. mixed up with REO... Speedwagon, so, you know.