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The Red and Blue Gone Missing
This Friday Sidebar wanders highways, hotel lobbies, and AM radio static in search of something surprising: authentic connection. What I found was less about politics, and more about people, and a surprise soundtrack to accompany them.
Rodney Dangerfield’s “I Don’t Get No Respect”
I studied a man failing at life’s little indignities for insight on comedy.
So, is this catchphrase actually funny? You decide.
Why Does A Secret Plan to Destroy A Sketch Partner Make Me Laugh?
Some people study great comedy to understand timing and craft. I just sit here cackling at Harvey Korman trying not to wet his pants.
Why Does A Comic Who Never Built An Extended Bit Make Me Laugh?
Mitch Hedberg was a master of the anti-narrative approach. This is my attempt to figure out why a guy mumbling one-liners about escalators and rice can be just as creative as a comic with a perfectly crafted 10-minute bit.
Why Does A Talk Show Guest’s Early Exit Make Me Laugh?
The ultimate power talk show move, if you’re all dressed up with no place to go. Creative, awkward, meta, and funny, it never wears out its welcome, or it’s style of “goodbye.”
Why Does A Scene About A Driver’s License Test Make Me Laugh?
A standard driving test question, a moment of befuddled confusion, and a deeply fried former hippie.
It shouldn’t work—but here’s how Taxi and Christopher Lloyd made comedy history, one…word…at…a…time…
Why Does a Slice of Pizza Thrown During A Baseball Game Make Me Laugh?
Is an airborne slice of pepperoni at Fenway better entertainment than anything happening on the actual baseball field? Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy’s legendary pizza-throwing broadcast breakdown at Fenway Park created one of baseball’s funniest announcer moments ever.
Why Does A One-Off Sitcom Detective Parody Make Me Laugh?
Why does an absurd job title like “library cop” make me laugh? Philip Baker Hall treating overdue books like federal crimes is surprisingly hilarious — and here’s why it works.
The Latest TNOCS Site News
News you can use. I hope.
Why Does An Extremely Ill-Timed Gift Basket Make Me Laugh?
This might start out as a weird gift basket story, but it’s really about creativity, and loyalty – and how a pretty good joke can turn even a public firing and corporate chaos into something funny.
Why Does A Two-Minute British Comedy Sketch From 16 Years Ago Make Me Laugh?
A masterfully crafted sketch from comedy duo Mitchell and Webb serves up quintessentially British wit, brilliantly skewering professional arrogance – and with a punchline that’s as sharp as it is satisfying.
Why Do Just Three Little Words from an Obscure 80s Western Sitcom Make Me Laugh?
What do you get when you cross an obscure 80s Western sitcom, a Broadway-trained villain, and one perfectly timed line? Three little words from Leonard Frey – and a big laugh.
Why Does A “Documentary” About The Origins Of State Abbreviations Make Me Laugh?
I can’t explain why Gary Gulman’s brilliant take on state abbreviations makes me laugh harder than most Netflix specials, but his viral routine proves comedy gold really does hide in plain sight. Knowing that millions of people are genuinely invested in a dual-letter combos confirms that Gulman has cracked the code on finding humor in the most unexpected places.