The Best of Comedy

We all have experienced it at least once in our life. That moment when you can barely breathe, and your sides hurt while tears run down your face. Whether it happened while watching someone take that soul crushing, ego bruising, clumsy trip or fall. How about the times with family and friends, where everyone is knee slapping and gasping for air? The best, however, is when we can spend time watching a show, even if we have seen it 10 times over and we still laugh, especially when you laugh prior to the scene because you know what is about to occur.

In the last year, many of us found ourselves trapped, not able to leave the place where we were so unfamiliar. That place we spend so much money and time upkeeping, without us having the chance to even enjoy it. This due to commitments such as our jobs, school, kids and so many other reasons that had us home after dark and gone at sunrise. We never really experienced that feeling of being at home, until the pandemic began. With the fear of the unknown ahead, who would have thought that it would be mandatory to sit at home, and do nothing for days on end? Nervous anticipation hit at once of either the future boredom or chaos that was to occur. Well while some thought it to be a punishment, I am sure I was not alone in thinking that I could not be luckier! No early mornings, schedules and plans. There in my living room, was the only priority that was on the agenda. Let the lazy begin!

Prior to lock down, the gym was the key to staying in shape and getting that summer beach body ready to show. However, I can honestly say I have not stepped foot inside one for over 2 years, yet I still get to flex and show that shred, but without any effort of activity. You see, I believe that my six pack comes not from hours of being at the gym, but in fact the complete opposite. Yes people, I am talking sitting on a couch day after day, endlessly watching episode after episode of pure comedy genius.

When it comes to television comedy, it started out with the shows that contained that inevitable laugh track. Let’s think back to the days of George Jefferson, the Cunninghams or even earlier, with Jethro and Gilligan. Prior to that was the black and white comedy acts where Ricky suffered at the hands of Lucy and Ethal, one show I truly did love to watch and still do.

Fast forward to Kids in the Hall and stepping onto the sets of SNL. We looked forward to each night of the week, after a long day where we could kick up our feet and watch hours of comedy. Then we all anticipated the weekend where our week ended with a Saturday night filled with the geniuses of comedy, creating many skits that still inspire shows and movies alike today.

What they all hold in common, is that they could take us in on our worst days and spit us out like water across the table, leaving us soaked in pure joy. The genius behind comedy is that it takes the real world and finds the good even throughout the bad. When it is pure, raw and there is truth that lies behind it, relating it to our everyday life experiences, that Is where it is at its peak performance.

Now I am sure most are familiar with one of the best shows to hit the air. One that displays the truth behind the cubicles and closed doors at: The Office. Truly should be considered the best show to have hit our television, leaving us rolling on the ground, or slapping our foreheads every time Michael was in a scene. Including the talented Jenna Fischer, giving the character Pam the best she acting job she could, which was might I say was brilliant. Each character brought something to the table in this series, reminding us the people we work with. We all have a Dwight at our jobs. You know, the one who lacks the ability to communicate with others in a normal way, causing every interaction with him to be awkward, leaving us cringing. Anyone who has not watched this series, is missing out on the upmost of hilarity. All together, the show deserves a 10/10 for originality and never having a dull moment.

Now Canada is quite underrated as a country and forgotten about in many areas, however it should stand out for comedy brilliance that it employs. Next on my recommendation list is a show that won a phenomenal 7 Emmy awards, that included the Outstanding Comedy Award. This series hosts 7, never a dull moment, seasons. When they are unexpectedly swept from their multi-billionaire lifestyle in a day to having to transition immediately being without any money at all and no where to live, this family must learn quickly to adapt. Moving to a small town where life is no longer diamonds and caviar, they are introduced to Rowland Schitt, the mayor of Schitts Creek. His simpleminded character has the Roses wilting within minutes, feeling smothered by his Schitt welcome. They are welcome to stay at the local motel, that is sure a step down from the mansion that they were accustomed too. The siblings are forced share a room, which is not ideal for adults, creating many opportunities to bring laughter for the viewers. As the show rolls on, they become settled, and love is in the air for the Rose children. Moira and Johnny cannot be more socially awkward being elites mingling with the small-town mentality, no matter how hard they try. This show ranks high in ingenuity. Not only was it pure gold, but it was created by the father and son duo Eugene and Dan levy, who play the main characters as father and son. There was not one dull moment throughout the entire series. Each episode there is a reason to have you wiping away tears, which is why many of us discovered it and never wanted it to end and many people have high hopes that the show will return.

Another comedian, Gerry Dee, ended up writing his own series that deserves to be in the top 10 need to watch comedies. Mr. D, another Canadian born show, about the joking side of staff in an elementary school. Netflix hosted in for quite sometime and it was unfortunate to see it go from that platform. It held for 8 seasons, and each one was funnier than the last. The cringy language that comes from Mr. D, alongside the over confidence in himself deserves a 10/10 for performance. He says everything that a teacher in real life holds back when interacting with students, that we all know they would say if they could and still have a job. His main wish to become a gym teacher is finally fulfilled, however he believes that gym is for real sports players only. The nerds of the class do not stand a chance, nor is there any filter on him when he points it out. Bring in Jonathon Torrens who plays J-Roc in Trailerpark Boys, as the principal, where he is not anymore clever. There is crazy, stupidity, adult children and many more ridiculous personalities to introduce throughout the show. There are no areas that this show is lacking in when it comes to humor. Just remember to take several bathroom breaks, as I found myself running there, I was laughing so hard at points, barely making it every time.

When it comes to creating a comedy show, a true visionary understands that is quintessential to make it one that, as Johah Hill states in the notorious Superbad, “People don’t forget!”. Well, lastly, I must recommend, People Just Do Nothing. A British comedy show that makes fun of local street rappers, that lack basic talent. The main character believes they are famous with their outstanding 6 followers, and must keep the camera crew from revealing where their top secret studio is. All of us who have already watched it, now know the best use for peanut dust you know, the crumb at the bottom of a bag of peanuts. Steve is among our top favorites because he is so quick to do any assignment given to him, even if it is dumpster diving to get egg cartons. You will wonder the genetics of the main characters daughter as both parents, until you see the ethnicity of his best friend. Not only does he believe his group is number one, but he fails in the common sense department. Chabuddy however is by far the best played role and we will never forget this always positive character. If you want to bring comedy back into your life and follow a series that deserves many awards, this is the one to watch.