If it wasn't on the last funny list it's probably on this one.
February 10, 2017 1:06 PM Subscribe
Vulture: 100 More Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy: A second look at bits, sketches, one-liners, and even modern art that have influenced American humor for the past 170 years.
On this list you’ll still find traditional setup–punch-line zingers and acts of physical comedy, but we no longer demanded that a joke be performed. This time we considered passages from novels, cartoon images, and even pieces of art. (previously)
On this list you’ll still find traditional setup–punch-line zingers and acts of physical comedy, but we no longer demanded that a joke be performed. This time we considered passages from novels, cartoon images, and even pieces of art. (previously)
Plus: Original talkalogues / by American jokers -- Witty pieces by witty people; a collection of the funniest sayings, best jokes, laughable anecdotes, mirthful stories, etc., extant -- A fresh lot of rube jokes -- Joe Miller's Joke Book -- Carl Pretzel's komikal speaker -- "Step Lively!" : a carload of the funniest yarns that ever crossed the footlights / by George Niblo -- No Wedding Bells For Me / Carl Senne
posted by mfoight at 1:38 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mfoight at 1:38 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Okay, let's see how many of these I'm already familiar with. Hrm, 56. 26 of them from before I was born.
This is a very interesting list, and goes to places that I wasn't expecting. It's a good list, and I appreciate you posting it. Thanks!
posted by hippybear at 1:44 PM on February 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is a very interesting list, and goes to places that I wasn't expecting. It's a good list, and I appreciate you posting it. Thanks!
posted by hippybear at 1:44 PM on February 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
A bit disappointing, however... no mention of Jack Benny or Carol Burnett, two of the funniest people ever ever ever.
And no Marx Bros either? I guess, perhaps, Marx Bros didn't really influence modern comedy that much. Which is a bit of a shame.
Still, it hits a lot of the right notes as far as I'm concerned. Just putting Fibber's Closet, Fountain, and Black Justin Bieber all on the same list shows an expansiveness that I appreciate.
posted by hippybear at 1:47 PM on February 10, 2017
And no Marx Bros either? I guess, perhaps, Marx Bros didn't really influence modern comedy that much. Which is a bit of a shame.
Still, it hits a lot of the right notes as far as I'm concerned. Just putting Fibber's Closet, Fountain, and Black Justin Bieber all on the same list shows an expansiveness that I appreciate.
posted by hippybear at 1:47 PM on February 10, 2017
Worth it just for “Indefinite Talk,” which I'd never seen and which made me cackle wildly. And who knew “Why did the chicken cross the road?” went back to at least 1847? Like hippybear said, it's a good list, and I appreciate you posting it.
> A bit disappointing, however... no mention of Jack Benny or Carol Burnett, two of the funniest people ever ever ever. And no Marx Bros either?
Are you sure they weren't on the first list? They didn't repeat names from that one.
posted by languagehat at 1:51 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
> A bit disappointing, however... no mention of Jack Benny or Carol Burnett, two of the funniest people ever ever ever. And no Marx Bros either?
Are you sure they weren't on the first list? They didn't repeat names from that one.
posted by languagehat at 1:51 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Checks list. Sees Douglas Adams and Eddie Izzard. Nods approvingly.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 2:12 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by DrAstroZoom at 2:12 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
FWIW, it's "McGee's Closet", not "Fibber's Closet." It's even a part of popular culture as slang for any overcrowded and disorganized area...A real McGee's closet.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:25 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 2:25 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Ah, sorry. The 10 or so years I spent listening to Old Time Radio on Sunday nights coming in on AM from a station I couldn't get during the day has me on a first name basis with that character. I forget that others are more formal.
posted by hippybear at 2:59 PM on February 10, 2017
posted by hippybear at 2:59 PM on February 10, 2017
Wow, there's a bunch of shitty, shitty jokes on this list. I guess that's true to the designation of 'shaping modern comedy,' though, since so much of modern comedy is also really shitty.
In modern comedy, the joke itself is pretty much considered hacky, though they re-emerge in slightly hidden ways. (EG, Emo Phillips is basically saying a lot of puns in a weird voice.)
Story telling, attitude and rants, non-sequitirs, wry commentary on personal tragedy, forms of improv, etc. are more of the moment. In large part because so many jokes seem corny or predictable.
posted by msalt at 3:10 PM on February 10, 2017
In modern comedy, the joke itself is pretty much considered hacky, though they re-emerge in slightly hidden ways. (EG, Emo Phillips is basically saying a lot of puns in a weird voice.)
Story telling, attitude and rants, non-sequitirs, wry commentary on personal tragedy, forms of improv, etc. are more of the moment. In large part because so many jokes seem corny or predictable.
posted by msalt at 3:10 PM on February 10, 2017
Yes, the Marx Brothers, Jack Benny and Carol Burnett are all in the first list.
posted by Guy Smiley at 3:33 PM on February 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Guy Smiley at 3:33 PM on February 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
FWIW, it's "McGee's Closet", not "Fibber's Closet." It's even a part of popular culture as slang for any overcrowded and disorganized area...A real McGee's closet.
I have never heard it referred to any other way but "Fibber McGee's closet". Not "Fibber's closet" OR "McGee's closet"
posted by briank at 4:08 PM on February 10, 2017 [7 favorites]
I have never heard it referred to any other way but "Fibber McGee's closet". Not "Fibber's closet" OR "McGee's closet"
posted by briank at 4:08 PM on February 10, 2017 [7 favorites]
They should have put Rusty Warren on this list. Shame.
posted by Catblack at 7:30 PM on February 10, 2017
posted by Catblack at 7:30 PM on February 10, 2017
I have never heard it referred to any other way but "Fibber McGee's closet".
Likewise. Still in heavy rotation in my family.
posted by you must supply a verb at 6:00 AM on February 11, 2017
Likewise. Still in heavy rotation in my family.
posted by you must supply a verb at 6:00 AM on February 11, 2017
I really needed this. Developing all kinds of history crushes today.
posted by lauranesson at 7:42 AM on February 11, 2017
posted by lauranesson at 7:42 AM on February 11, 2017
Just saw the Broadway production of The Front Page and that's one entry on the list I can co-sign 100%
posted by whuppy at 9:39 AM on February 12, 2017
posted by whuppy at 9:39 AM on February 12, 2017
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posted by flatluigi at 1:37 PM on February 10, 2017 [2 favorites]