I thought it would be fun to get some insight into the heads of some of my favorite funny people. When operating on their brains was ruled out as a viable option (what can i say? tough economy.), I decided to subject them to a series of questions about humor, faith, and swordfights. The result is The Ramblings and Such Humor Survey.
Tripp Crosby is the peanut butter to Tyler Stanton’s jelly. The two of them have teamed up to create some of the funniest shideos (that’s a new word i created for short videos) i’ve ever seen (search youtube for Dontbethatguyfilms if you don’t believe me). Tripp is the lead producer and director for Green Tricycle Films and has been directing music videos, commercials, and sketch comedy for 6 years.
I asked him to fill thing out 4 months ago. It’s about freaking time.
Here’s Tripp…
1. What were a few of the things you remember laughing at the most as a kid?
TC:
- Weird Al. – I memorized all of “Even Worse”. I’m very proud of this.
- Naked Gun 2 and 1/2 – I remember as a 9 year old laughing all the way back to the car.
- Ace Ventura – I’m embarrassed about how many years after this release I still quoted it, but Ace introduced a whole new realm of humor into my life as a 14 year old.
- Mad Libs – the dirtier the better
- Ernest – Oh the subtleties.
- My Dad – the most consistent comedian in my life
2. What about now as an adult?
TC: on my blog I’ve listed my Comedy Top 10…here’s some other stuff…
- Lonely Island
- Second City
- Family Guy
- Tyler Stanton’s blog
- David’s Zingers
- My Dad – the jokes never end
- America’s Funniest Home Videos
- Any Chevy Chase movie
- Any Christopher Guest movie
- “That’s What She Said” – I still laugh.
- My ideas for sketches – until I realize they aren’t actually good ideas.
3. Conversely, is there something that lots of other people find humorous that never really makes you laugh?
TC: The Princess Bride, The Wayans Brothers, Bryan Allain’s silly magic tricks, and seriously, I think the Office is getting old.
4. Do you think Christians are afraid of humor?
TC: Christians are often more concerned about modeling their “good methodology” than modeling joy. Christians are often too scared of offending people. And, Christians like to turn things into sermons that aren’t really meant to be sermons. This is not a good recipe for jokes. Or being like Jesus.
5. How do you think humor can be useful to Christianity?
TC: Let’s talk about how humor can be useful to humans. Most people I know are guilty of taking themselves too seriously. (especially christians) Humor is the best cure for this sickness. A good joke is like kicking life in the balls. Take that life! Also, telling lots of jokes is a good way to keep people from knowing your real emotions.
6. In your opinion, how is humor different from sarcasm/cynicism?
TC: Gee, I wonder. Pshhhh.
7. At what point in life did you really start to embrace the idea: “wow, i think I might be funny.”?
TC: I’m still working really hard to prove this to myself. I’m a 6 foot tall affirmation radar. Honestly, looking back I never see that moment. I just see all of my desperate attempts for attention.
8. Why do you want to be funny?
TC: Making people laugh is like scratching an itch. But the more you scratch, the more it itches. I don’t know what I’m really trying for. Sometimes I’m like, “Tripp, you’ve done it. They laughed. Now move on to something else” But it’s never enough. Until an arena full of people are simultaneously vomiting at my perfectly crafted gag, I’m not stopping.
Also, I feel that it is my calling in life to attack the dotted lines in life. I was once fired as an event emcee because I showed up to beach twister in a speedo. Everyone laughed. Less than 1% of the people were offended. And, the leaders even made sure I understood this wasn’t a moral issue. So why was I fired? Because I crossed a dotted line.
9. Have you ever tried to do stand-up? Do you think it’s something you could do or would want to do?
TC: I’ve tried twice. It was a thrill I could easily get addicted to. I don’t know yet if I could ever really excel in stand-up, but I guarantee I’m going to keep doing it.
10. Do you have a favorite quote (or joke or story) about comedy, humor, and making people laugh?
TC: Jeff Foxworthy – “people are like air compressors – as they go through their day they build up more and more pressure because of stress. A laugh is like a little twist of the outflow release valve – letting out about 600 psi in less than 2 seconds – leaving only 97% of the total pressure in the main tank.” – something like that
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Thanks for playing along, Tripp!
If you want more Tripp, check out his blog/website/bathroomwebcam at TrippCrosby.com.
Past Humor Surveys: Chad Gibbs, Susan Isaacs, Jason Boyett, Tyler Stanton, Jon Acuff, Rob Stennett, and Matthew Paul Turner.