The problem is that once the untrained mind has made a formal commitment to a religious philosophy - and it does not matter whether that philosophy is generally reasonable and high-minded or utterly bizarre and irrational Steve Allen More Quotes by Steve Allen More Quotes From Steve Allen In general, the straight line of a joke sets up a premise, an expectation. Then the funny ending - the punch line - in a sense contradicts the original assumption by refusing to follow what had seemed a reasonable train of thought. Many jokes involve that simple matter of leaping outside what had appeared to be the rules of the game at the moment. Steve Allen game moment simple funny I personally find it difficult to accept that there could be anyone on earth insensitive to the comic abilities of Laurel and Hardy, Sid Caesar, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, or Martin Short. But no matter who the comic entertainer is, there is always at least a minority prepared to say, 'What's all the excitement about? He doesn't seem funny to me.' Steve Allen short me matter funny I used to be a heavy gambler. But now I just make mental bets. That's how I lost my mind. Steve Allen how just mind lost Pretend you're a southern sheriff. Or Mae West. Or Donald Duck. Buy a western hat and walk around the house like a cowboy. The point of all this, of course, is to draw yourself out of your accustomed groove. Steve Allen hat walk yourself you Do I ever get questions that are rude or impertinent? Yes, but I love to use them. The audience immediately perceives the emotional awkwardness of the situation. Steve Allen situation rude emotional love We will take almost any kind of criticism except the observation that we have no sense of humor. Steve Allen will sense-of-humor humor criticism What people will - or will not - laugh at is mainly determined by their social conditioning. Steve Allen laugh will determined people The hair is real - it's the head that's a fake. Steve Allen head fake real hair In those of us who have the mysterious ability to amuse others, it is usually the case that even before we were aware of our own abilities, we had become practiced at laughing more than other children in our social circle. Steve Allen circle own mysterious children It often seems that, for whatever strange reasons, comedians, in addition to their formal performances, have more comic experiences in real life than other people do. Steve Allen strange real life people There used to be an art form called the 'comedy of manners.' Why aren't comedies of manners made now in this country? The answer is simple. We no longer have manners to speak of. Steve Allen comedy speak simple art To the extent that there is anything properly identifiable as dignity in our society today, our present writers of comedy would be inclined to treat it as a proper object of ridicule. Steve Allen treat comedy society today Many comedians and comedy writers have shared the childhood experience of learning to joke to protect themselves from neighborhood bullies when challenge or physical defense were not among the sensible options. Steve Allen childhood comedy experience learning I was in sixth grade the first time I was required to speak in front of an audience. I had terrible stage fright and felt quite ill, in fact, by the time I had to give my little talk to students in another class across the hall. Steve Allen speak students first-time time If we do not know what humor is, that may be because we do not know what humankind is. Steve Allen because know humor may Much of the best humor is found in the frequently tragic reality of human experience. Steve Allen best experience humor reality Given a little time for the pain to subside, dreadful experiences often can be the basis of funny jokes or stories. Steve Allen jokes pain time funny But all seriousness aside Steve Allen
