[ricpic]

Funny ( organic ). Unfunny ( explicit ).

That formula perfectly summarizes the essence of what makes the funny, funny, and the unfunny, unfunny.

W.C.Fields, for example, was organically funny. His very being was deeply subversive, and yet loveable at the same time.

[Revolting cat!]

The classic examples of something organically funny have been for me the appearances of Rodney Dangerfield on Johnny Carson. After his standup routine he'd walk over to the couch and there was that wonderful moment of tension where Johnny would feed him the opening line, something as simple as "Howya doin'?" But where practically all his other comic guests would immediately step out of the persona that had just been projecting on stage, wiping their brow or something, and remarking something to the effect, "How did I do?", Rodney continued the act, because unlike all the others, he was the act! (Or his act was for real, full time!) That initial moment on the couch was absolutely precious if you ever saw it!