Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 1131490)

I'm already bracing myself for the feedback I will receive for this post. But I finally figured I'd post it anyway. And I want to stress...the following is strictly my opinion.

I love humor. I think I have a pretty good sense of humor. I love humor in other people. Comedy is my favorite form of media. That being said, I have an observation regarding humor on ToTV...

It seems that the attempted use of humor on ToTV has seen a dramatic increase lately. That would be fine, except in my opinion, there are a couple of reasons it is not so fine. Humor is an art. Many factors play into whether humor is effective, or should I say...well...funny. Timing, appropriateness, content, audience, and many other factors determine how effective attempts at humor are. There's the rub. Just saying something intended to be funny does not make it funny. And there is such a thing as too much...not too much humor, but too much trying to be funny. The best humor comes naturally and is used a bit sparingly in my opinion. Constant attempts which are mostly borderline or simply lame even diminish those that might be truly funny.

This is not intended to be taken personally by anyone on ToTV. It's just my honest feelings about a recent trend. I'm seeing more and more of what appears to failed attempts at humor on ToTV for two reasons:

1) Many of the jokes...remember...my opinion only...are simply not funny. With respect to humor, this is obviously very important. Humor isn't a game like baseball, where if you succeed a small percentage of the time you're considered successful. One potentially good joke gets lost among many failures. A sense of quality must be maintained, or it's just throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks. Very few people like sifting through lame attempts to find the occasional, mildly funny post.

2) Possibly even more important because it has the potential to irritate and/or offend people...the "jokes" are at a time when they are simply not appropriate, either posted inappropriately in a serious thread, or at a time within any thread that is simply inappropriate in the context posted. Don't get me wrong. I think humor is great therapy, and can be used in the most serious of situations. But even then, some sense of timing and appropriateness is essential.

I'll never forget Saturday Night Live, the first show after the horrific events of 9/11. Early in the show, after an opening segment about the attacks, SNL Producer Lorne Michaels looked at his guest, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and asked "Can we be funny?". Giuliani looked at Michaels and said "Why start now?" Hilarious. And it got a great laugh from the New York audience. But it was after a very serious, touching and reverent opening and an appropriate lead in. They didn't just come on the air and start making fun. It was a great TV moment...and very funny in spite of the horrific events of just a few days earlier. All due to timing, respect, and attention to appropriateness.

Bring on the humor. Everybody should laugh every day. But make sure it is appropriate, respectful, and...well...funny.

Okay. I have my flack jacket on. But I feel better getting it off my chest.

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 1131626)

Does this mean I get a break from being censored and censured?

:popcorn:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1131627)

Looks that way.
Unless I can make a "lame" joke :1rotfl:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1131640)

Seems to me, after a long career in medicine, that you have that right.


Plus your left arm is gimpy.


Sorry.

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131710)

I don't know if joke censorship is the intention of the OP.

Sometimes I roll my eyes at what I wrote the night before and I delete it first thing in the morning hoping not too many read it. People let you know if you come up with something original enough or corny enough fairly soon after you write it. And that's a rush for me when they do. Expect more bombs than hits.

I also watch out for preachiness or a sense of know-it-all-ism. I delete them ASAP.

Many times I'll write something. Sometimes taking a half hour only to push delete because I realize it doesn't add a thing to the conversation or may be taken the wrong way. I give it a little wait and see period. I'll always reread, edit and hopefully shorten. I try to put the funny word as the last word.

I think the OP is asking for proof-joking, sort of like proof-reading. That's all.

[soon to be deleted for preachiness]

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131710)

I don't know if joke censorship is the intention of the OP.

Sometimes I roll my eyes at what I wrote the night before and I delete it first thing in the morning hoping not too many read it. People let you know if you come up with something original enough or corny enough fairly soon after you write it. And that's a rush for me when they do. Expect more bombs than hits.

I also watch out for preachiness or a sense of know-it-all-ism. I delete them ASAP.

Many times I'll write something. Sometimes taking a half hour only to push delete because I realize it doesn't add a thing to the conversation or may be taken the wrong way. I give it a little wait and see period. I'll always reread, edit and hopefully shorten. I try to put the funny word as the last word.

I think the OP is asking for proof-joking, sort of like proof-reading. That's all.

[soon to be deleted for preachiness]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1131715)

Like I said, he is entitled to his opinion. But if YOU are editing YOUR posts because of what someone else is setting as a standard, then that is a form of censorship, no matter what you call it. If you were going to edit it anyway because you didn't like it, that's fine. There is a huge difference between the two. I think you should get back to your jokes---at least I like them:1rotfl:

Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1131725)

The forum culture has just evolved past the grammar/punctuation police, and now we get the humor police?

Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1131725)

It's a forum! Lighten up. If you think posts are too serious or not serious enough, maybe it's time to read a book, or write a letter to someone. Anything except continue reading these posts that for some reason upset you sufficiently to cause you to write a manifesto because they are TOO humorous, or not humorous ENOUGH? The forum culture has just evolved past the grammar/punctuation police, and now we get the humor police?

Originally Posted by MUHLBACH1@HOTMAIL.COM (Post 1131731)

Rules on humor? Whoa! Lighten up, try telling a joke, it feels great most of the time.

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 1131748)

Eric Berne's book Games PEople play talks about paradigm for analyzing conversation using a very simple method: determine whether the voice of the speaker is parent, adult, or child, each of which presents with healthy and unhealthy manifestations.
Assume the monitors are healthy parents, it is their rightful duty to set rules and referee.

Healthy child talk is delightfully unexpected harmless expressions of humor, wonder, good-natured ribbing, playful zzest for life.

Unhealthy child often uses name-calling and has a rebellious tone, and tries to make strong statements of opinion without facts by throwing pebbles and whimpering about hurt feelings. Some use humor as a cloak for childish bedevilment.

Healthy parent, (Gracie) is often a mediator for peace, keeeping the tone light and friendly while still invting persons to higher social grace (except when she loses it and makes ///.)

Unhealthy parent is my least favorite, where persons peremptorily demand "what is wrong with you people?" To be seen as the Knowitall poobah. Angry, very forceful how-dare-you think and write what you did! Stop!

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131732)

Not just some one. I'm getting the vibe it might be many. And I'm a little insecure. That's the risk. The funniest people I know also had nuns.

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 1131748)

Eric Berne's book Games PEople play talks about paradigm for analyzing conversation using a very simple method: determine whether the voice of the speaker is parent, adult, or child, each of which presents with healthy and unhealthy manifestations.
Assume the monitors are healthy parents, it is their rightful duty to set rules and referee.

Healthy child talk is delightfully unexpected harmless expressions of humor, wonder, good-natured ribbing, playful zzest for life.

Unhealthy child often uses name-calling and has a rebellious tone, and tries to make strong statements of opinion without facts by throwing pebbles and whimpering about hurt feelings. Some use humor as a cloak for childish bedevilment.

Healthy parent, (Gracie) is often a mediator for peace, keeeping the tone light and friendly while still invting persons to higher social grace (except when she loses it and makes ///.)

Unhealthy parent is my least favorite, where persons peremptorily demand "what is wrong with you people?" To be seen as the Knowitall poobah. Angry, very forceful how-dare-you think and write what you did! Stop!

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1131776)

Oh tomwed, please do not feel insecure. What I meant when I said your post was insightful is that I liked how you told us you look at your own writing and think about it.

There is a saying, "Don't tell. Show." That saying can apply not only to life but to writing. You showed us a little behind the scenes with tomwed who cares about his words.

That post of yours could stand alone as an outstanding comment on posting angst. I really liked it. Maybe because I know exactly what you are talking about. I have thought twice before hitting submit many times. But not often enough. I have lots of cringeworthy also-rans hanging out there in cyberspace.

Please do not feel bad.

And, btw, I also like it when you cook and tell us about it.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1131605)

What, me worry ? :BigApplause:

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1131809)

/ / /.

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131814)

///?

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1131614)

I'm also bracing myself for the feedback I will receive for this post. But I finally figured I'd post it anyway. And I want to stress...the following is strictly my opinion.

I love golf. I think I have(had) a pretty good golf game. I love when other people play golf. Golf is my favorite form of sports. That being said, I have an observation regarding golf at TVu

It seems that the attempted use of a golf swing on at TV has seen a dramatic decline lately. That would be fine, except in my opinion, there are a couple of reasons it is not so fine. Golf is a skill. Many factors play into whether the golf swing is effective, or should I say...well...good. Timing, rhythm, contact, club speed, and many other factors determine how effective attempts at a golf swing are. There's the rub. Just saying something intended to be a good swing does not make it a good swing. And there is such a thing as too much...not too much golf, but too much trying to be good at it. The best golf swing comes naturally and is used on the course, in my opinion. Constant attempts which are mostly borderline or simply lame even diminish those that might be truly good swings.

This is not intended to be taken personally by anyone on ToTV. It's just my honest feelings about a recent trend. I'm seeing more and more of what appears to failed attempts at golf swing at TV for two reasons:

1) Many of the golf swings...remember...my opinion only...are simply not good. With respect to golf, this is obviously very important. Golf isn't a game like baseball, where if you succeed a small percentage of the time you're considered successful. One potentially good swing gets lost among many failures. A sense of quality must be maintained, or it's just hacking around the course . Very few people like sitting through lame attempts to find the occasional, mildly acceptable swing.

2) Possibly even more important because it has the potential to irritate and/or offend people...the "bad swings" are at a time when they are simply not appropriate, either swung inappropriately in a serious game, or at a time within any game that is simply ugly in the extreme. Don't get me wrong. I think golf is great sport, and can be played in the most serious of conditions. But even then, some sense of proficiency is essential.

Bring on the golf. Everybody should golf every day. But make sure it is athletic, artistic, and...well...good.

Okay. I have my flack jacket on. But I feel better getting it off my chest

I hope my point isn't too subtle. You start by saying you love something, then criticize anything that doesn't fit your standard of what that something should be. It sounds, in my opinion, that you feel comedy is best left to professionals on a stage at a comedy club, and then only pertaining to subjects you deme appropriate. But I have seen Robin Williams and Rodney Dangerfield flop at those venues on occasion.
I quickly read through the last 300 posts today, and there were 74 "jokes" by 15 different posters. But since it looks like I'm near the top of your list, I felt I would take the lead in responding.
While I commend you on a very articulate post, and certainly you are entitled to your opinion, it really isn't much different than a post that starts "I love the Villages, but...." and then goes on to slam "the developers", or the sales team, or GG for defending them.
You seem to feel that a "good" joke can be lost among the not so good jokes. Ask a golf professional about their round. They will tell you if he hit one, just one shot exactly the way he wanted to, it was an accomplishment. I view humor the same way, sometimes you have to take the good along with the bad. It's like saying you love art, especially Rembrandt, and therefore Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso should have confined themselves to 2 or 3 paintings each, to meet the Rembrandt standard.
TOTV is a great site. The information is invaluable. But I also find the off topic posts and "attempts" at humor very entertaining as well. Plus I love that little rofl emoticon.
So to be true to form, I leave you with the following thought-------
Polar Bear, chill out :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 1131626)

Does this mean I get a break from being censored and censured?

:popcorn:

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131802)

I don't feel that bad. That does come across as pretty neurotic. I'll tell you a funny story.

The first time we rented down here the guy across the street saw my tags. He was also from NJ. I am of a certain age that remembers from years ago, that not everyone form the south appreciates our NJ sense of humor. For example, my favorite book freshman year was "I'm OK, You're an A..hole". That's plays out pretty funny back home. And when people tell me I have an accent and ask where I came from, I say "France" in my best NJ twang.

Anyway I asked the neighbor how he was received down here and did he have to make any adjustments. He said the only problem he found was his language. He soon realized no one curses down here. I asked "How the f... did you stop?" and he said it was very hard and took awhile. But I stopped too unless I get in a foursome of Jersey people and it's like we're all truck drivers again. Not everyone will see the humor in this funny story.

So yea, humor is a little more risky down here if you come from New Jersey.

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 1131807)

61 Comedians Recall Their Favorite, First Jokes -- Vulture

Some comedians share their memories of the first jokes they heard.

Some more jokes. BEST. SHORT JOKES. EVER. Vol. 3

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 1131817)

Here another opinion:a20:

IMO Most leisure golfer's can't break hundred. Golf game of repetition, and don't take athelite to be scratch golfer. Golf compare to billiards, darts, crochet , and archery to name few were practice, stroke, repeatability, and muscle memory over ride athletic ability like in endurance sport. Golf is one of the few sports you can play in your Sunday best with only shoe change.

For the 15% or so of scratch golfer or below should appreciate the novice golfing wannabes being they are keeping most golf courses afloat. So the next time you see non-golfing swing or weed wacker thank him or her for giving you nice course to play on.

Want humor now you got it. :gc:

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 1131767)

IMO, the following from th OP was an adult mediating for social grace. I find it harmful when humor is used about someone badly injured, or has lost a pet, for example.

"Possibly even more important because it has the potential to irritate and/or offend people...the "jokes" are at a time when they are simply not appropriate, either posted inappropriately in a serious thread, or at a time within any thread that is simply inappropriate in the context posted. Don't get me wrong. I think humor is great therapy, and can be used in the most serious of situations. But even then, some sense of timing and appropriateness is essential. "

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1131732)

Not just some one. I'm getting the vibe it might be many. And I'm a little insecure. That's the risk. The funniest people I know also had nuns.