I’ve been doing quite a bit of guest posting during the month of April. The link to today’s guest post on Tripp Crosby’s blog is coming in a minute. Tripp’s a good friend and a hilarious and talented actor, producer, event emcee, and interviewer. He also works a lot with friend of the blog Tyler Stanton, despite having a much less spherical head.

My guest post on Tripp’s blog today grapples with a subject that has divided the nation for far too long.

Movie Trailers.

They’re so entertaining. But they ruin the movie. But they let us know what the movie is about. But they tell us too much. But they’re the best part about going to the movies. But they give all the good lines away…

ENOUGH!!!

Let’s settle this once and for all.

Click here to jump over to Tripp’s blog to read my ingenious solution to the Movie Trailer quandary. It will blow your mind without blowing your budget. (and while you’re there, bookmark or subscribe to his blog.)

But before you do that, check out this 3 minute video of Tripp interviewing people about their finances. High comedy.

PS…If you’re new to my blog and want to know why someone of Tripp’s caliber would let a schmuck like me post on his blog, click here and check out the Featured Posts. If none of my best material makes you laugh, then I applaud you for being dead and still able to surf the internet.

Saw this photo and knew it needed some help from you guys.

You can submit something for one or all five of these guys on stage at Catalyst West 2008.

Caption please…

I was scrolling through my iPhone photo library this morning when I realized I had a bunch of random pictures that I’ve never done anything with.

You know what that sounds like?

That sounds like a blog post.

Potato Chips that support breast cancer?

Listen, I support ANYTHING that raises awareness and funds to fight cancer.

But are we even sure that eating deep-fried potatoes cooked in a kettle of fat doesn’t CAUSE breast cancer?

Just saying…

Here’s a package of swordfish from the supermarket freezer.

Forget the fact that the two adjectives they used to describe the steaks are “firm” and “mild”. (disturbing).

What I want to know is, was there really a need to print the word “caught” on the package?

As if I’m not already annoyed at the fact that I’m eating McDonald’s…

Now you’re going to start getting smug with me with your snarky little window notes?

(side note: Much like the Amish, McDonald’s employees do not like getting their pictures taken.)

Moments after Catalyst 2009 ended, Tripp interviewed Andy Stanley backstage for the DVD extras.

Andy admitted that he loved the Autotune Andy video.

and I came this close to introducing myself to Andy as “Bryan from Intercourse”, but thought better of it.

went to my first baseball game in D.C. this summer as the Red Sox got beat down by the Nationals.

It was a memorable night because…

1) got to hang out with my boys Dan and Than

2) Saw John Smoltz’s Red Sox debut (which was more disturbing than firm and mild swordfish steaks)

3) it was the day Michael Jackson died. (I found out checking Twitter as we headed to the game)

4) I was a passenger in Than AND Dan’s car that day. And they both got pulled over.

One of my favorite moments at Catalyst was when Rob Bell and Tyler shared the stage.

There’s Rob on the left, mapping out where he would stand with his traveling detail.

There’s Tyler on the right, playing the “how close can I get to Rob without getting punched” game.

Tyler, Tripp, and Carlos Whittaker at 6am the morning of Catalyst.

Feel free to caption this one for me.

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.