Topic: Humor
Source: The comedy routines of Steven Wright.
Relation: In our ANTHRO reading, the absurdity of humor is given as the main reason we find it funny. The content and delivery of Steven Wright's comedy is very absurd and as such I find it very amusing.
Description: When I first saw a comedy routine by Steven Wright, I was not sure what to think. He does not deliver jokes in the usual manner but instead speaks in a monotone voice and almost never smiles. His jokes are equally bizarre and usually deal with using everyday life or familiar objects to make absurd scenarios. On page 102 Robbins states that, “often people create humor out of everyday problems or events.” This is true of Steven Wright but he makes those everyday problems or events into strange jokes. For example, we are all familiar with how powdered milk works: you add water to it. But in one of his jokes, Wright states that he doesn't know what to add to some powdered water he bought. At first, it might not seem particularly funny, but there is humor to it.
Analysis/Commentary: Steven Wright's comedy takes some getting used to, but once you accept it as sheer nonsensical absurdity it becomes very comical. Instead of just making a few plays on words, he has taken the whole comedy act and made it absurd. I think it's kind of genius because although most people can make a joke, many people deliver it the same way and don't bother to think about the delivery itself as a source of humor.
