We need a few more laughs in our lives during these bleak times. All the news is so glum. The news reporters come on with their lugubrious faces and tell us of the woes of the world, wars, murders, mass killings, abuses of children, wives, the under privileged, all is gloom and doom. The politics of character asassination, and fear is always on the horizon and then when the prime time shows hit the air, guess what? They are all about murders, nefarious deeds and unrealistic reality shows and crime solving.
Where did all of the comedy shows go? Isn't it a time that they should be dominating the prime time slots? Where are the great talented comedic performers? The few attempts at comedy are dependent on off color jokes, blatent sexual inuendos and dialogue, openly vulgar language, scantily clad performers. Do any of you remember people like Ernie Kovats, Jackie Gleason, Steve Allen, Groucho Marx, Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, and a legion of others? Their skits and routines were original, outrageous, hillarious and absurd. They entertained us without making us blush or wish that the kids were not in the room. Who can forget, Norton addressing the ball, "Hello, ball." or WKRP's "I swear as God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." or Ricky's " Lucy, you got some splaining to do." "Roooooooooob!"
Yesterday, on the Today Show the complete cast from The Bill Cosby Show had their 25th anniversary. They showed a few clips from the Huxtable family show and they are still funny and timely. The people that used to be the kids on the show still call Cosby, Mr. Cosby. When Matt Laurer commented on that they all looked to one another and finally the former Cleo said, "He makes us call him that!" Everybody laughed at that. Cosby said, " I gave them their checks, they had jobs! " The implication being that they showed their respect for him by addressing him formally. They all laughed about it but it was clear that the respect was still there. We watched that show every week and discussed it at work the next day with others that watched too. No sex scenes, the euphemistic word for derriere was not used nor allussions to bedroom activity, no bosom displays, no pot smoking, crack sniffing, unacceptable language, but still we laughed at the clever, humorous skits that we could all identify with and go back for more the next week.
We do have some very funny, creative comedians on TV today but they are on Late night TV and can have more adult humor and have provocative skits. That's fine. However, we need shows again that can be watched as a family, and can be examples of family behavior. Eating dinner at the kitchen table, sharing with other family members, conflict resolutions, problems that all families can identify with. We need some shows that have responsible parents and extended families and good examples!
As I mentioned before, when I was in Florida with the twins during January, they watched Gilligan's Island day after day and they laughed and laughed at the humor. I think Angela had acquired the videos at the library. It seemed like they had about 100 episodes but I'm sure it was far less. After they completed the whole series, (I was back in Louisville by that time) they had a special theme dinner to salute the show. Bridget dressed as Mary Ann, wig and all, and each played a role. They had decorated the table to fit the occasion. Granted, that was not a show of a family but it was a very funny show without obscenities, sex etc. and could be enjoyed and laughed at while being with family.I hope the fall lineup includes some funny sit-coms again. I don't want all comedy, what will I do if they don't renew 'The Closer" and some of the other crime shows ? I can't imagine life without 'Law and Order' but the kids need something a little more uplifting! Ciao.
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