Click and Laugh

Laughter holds no party, no position. It skewers both sides without fear or favor. And the web serves up some of the best political humor around.

When I was young, my favorite movies were laugh-out-loud comedies, like those of Monty Python.

These days, I prefer comedy with a message. I’ve taught my nine-year-old son to appreciate films such as Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator.” But my new favorite is Stanley Kramer’s “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.”

“World” isn’t the funniest film ever made, although it tries to be. What makes it interesting is the message amid the mayhem. Greed is bad, and anyone can be brought low by it. The plot is that some travelers learn about a fortune buried “under a giant W,” and police investigator Spencer Tracy (beset on all sides over his pension and his family) decides to steal it from everyone.

The point is that, at times like this, it’s best to laugh. Laughter holds no party, no position. It skewers both sides without fear or favor. (And if you feel your side is laughed at too much, just find another comic.)

The web is filled with great political humor. Instead of wasting your time with CNN, MSNBC, or Fox, try surfing instead to The Onion, where Senate President Pro Tem Strom Thurmond is assembling his cabinet.

You Crazy! has been trying to outdo The Onion for months. If you’re a Democrat, click here. Republicans, click here.

Of course, you’re probably more interested in humor concerning “the present situation.” The first place I go to is Slate’s political cartoon page, which features newspaper cartoons for every political taste.

You can have your “official” Florida jokes from Letterman, Leno, Comedy Central, Bill Maher, or “Saturday Night Live” (the only definite winner in this election).

But I prefer things I can get in my email, such as this letter indicating Her Majesty is willing to take us back. Democrats may crack a smile at the Palm Beach Ballot, while Republicans might prefer the “Magic Ballot Theory.”

I made up some jokes myself: an imitation “Seinfeld” episode in which Jerry visits his parents’ Florida condo and moans, “You forgot to vote?” while George says he voted for “that sexy crime solver Edna Buchanan.” (If you don’t like that, make up your own. This is the game everyone can play.)

This game is far from over, of course. There are plenty of moves left on the board. Perhaps the “East Palm Beach” (Tel Aviv) vote came in late and will decide the issue, but that’s not the way to bet. More likely, courts will rule for a recount, the Florida Secretary of State will refuse to certify those results, and the whole thing will go to the House of Representatives, which will decide which set of electors sit for Florida. We’re talking another month and a half of this stuff at least.

The point is that all we’re deciding is which of two victims we’re going to make fools of for the next four years. The country is too divided to do anything radical, no matter what happens. Isn’t it better to have some fun with it?

Here’s where the web really shows its worth. It will give you as much political humor as you can stand, with no reruns.

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource