Humor and Humor-Related
Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie: Humor with meaning. “The Herdmans were the worst kids in the history of the world,” declares Barbara Robinson’s classic seasonal novel, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Now, a new movie brings the Herdman children’s mischievous shenanigans to the big screen … and along the way, glimpses of touching warmth. (Short op-ed; published by Washington Examiner)
Divine dilemma: Who gets God’s nod in March Madness? By Mark I. Pinsky and Rusty Wright. Thursday evening (March16), in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Duke University, a historically Methodist school in Durham, North Carolina, tips off with Pentecostal powerhouse Oral Roberts University, in Orlando, Florida — a Southern Baptist stronghold and a part of the country that takes both religion and college athletics very seriously. If two Christian schools’ fans pray for victory, which one gets God’s favor? (Religion News Service release 3/16/23).
Humor while hunkering down: COVID-era chuckles. The coronavirus tragedy is, of course, not at all funny. But coping with daily life during it has bred some lighthearted fun as we all adjust to new ways of living and working…and seek comic relief to ease the tension. Some rib ticklers to help lighten your load. (Short op-ed)
‘Hoops Cancellation Withdrawal Disorder. In these tumultuous times, do you have difficulty focusing on work or household responsibilities? Does life seem empty? Do you often daydream about excitement? Are you a basketball fan? If so, you may be suffering from a recently designated serious malady, Hoops Cancellation Withdrawal Disorder (HCWD-20). (Short op-ed)
Tell her you love her. Recently, when my wife, Meg Korpi, was dying of cancer, a longtime friend offered some advice I’m really glad I heeded: I should write and read to her a tribute, expressing what she’s meant to me and how much I love her. (Short op-ed)
Peanuts movie: good grief – plus fun – in 3D! Charlie Brown wants to change who he is and become a winner. Snoopy’s determined to shoot the Red Baron from the sky. The perpetual underdog and his dog embark on an epic quest that’s all about dreaming big. Lots of family fun in this delightful film; lots of inspiration in the Peanuts stories. (Short op-ed)
Moms’ Night Out movie: Laughs, plus hope for frazzled moms. Want laughs, plus a way to tell a mother she’s loved? Take her to see Moms’ Night Out, opening Mother’s Day weekend. On the set, actors and producers promised the comedy would be a hoot. They’ve delivered, with loads of family fun. I laughed out loud. (Short op-ed)
New Comedy Brings Hope for Frazzled Moms. Hang in there, frazzled moms. Hope is coming! Moms’ Night Out, a new movie comedy about the challenges of parenting, recently wrapped shooting and is headed for release in 2014. (Short op-ed)
Jesus is Coming May 21? We read it in the Washington Post. “Save the date!” say the billboards. That’s also our wedding anniversary. Maybe we should invite him. (Short op-ed; by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)
Hilarious High School Bloopers? By Rusty Wright with Meg Korpi. “Worst analogies written by high school students” had me laughing till I ached. Discovering their true source reminded me to practice what I preach. (Short op-ed)
Laugh a Little: It’s Good For Your Health. Had a good laugh recently? Need one? Stressful days need comic relief. Doctors realize that laughter can enhance physical and mental health. Now it seems even looking forward to laughter can be good for you. (Short op-ed) Spanish French Chinese
You Don’t Say! If you’re like me, you could use a good chuckle right now. After all, times are messy. Maybe this real-life humor will help cheer you up. Reflections on using the right word at the right time. (Short op-ed)
Is Anyone Listening? Ever feel like you’re talking to a brick wall? Conversation has been defined as “a vocal competition in which the one who is catching his breath is called the listener.” A fun look at listening’s merits. (Short op-ed)
Romantic Hyperbole. “Who, me? Stretch the truth in a relationship? Nah. Never happens!” A humorous look at honesty in love, for everyone who ever was tempted to fudge the truth just a little in romance. (Short op-ed) French
Valentine’s Day brings back that lovin’ feeling. A fun and humorous look at love and relationships. (Short op-ed)
Valentine, How Do I Love Thee? More fun – and funny – stories about love and communication. (Short op-ed)
Elvis Has Left the Building. As the world remembers the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, what does fascination with Elvis tell us about ourselves? (Probe radio series transcript.)
Elvis is Dead. Deal With It. The King lives on, at least in the hearts of his fans. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death, what does the fascination with Elvis tell us about ourselves? (Short op-ed)
Your Money or Your Life! … or Your Wine? An armed gunman at a Washington, DC, dinner threatened to start shooting unless guests gave him their money. Ten minutes later, he had apologized and asked for a group hug. What brought this dramatic change? (Short op-ed)
Understanding: A valuable commodity. Humorous linguistic goofs and confusion illustrate the importance of working hard to understand each other. (Short op-ed)
An Easter Bunny – and an Easter Story – Worth Remembering. A child’s humorous encounter with a department store Easter bunny carries some lessons on hope of inner renewal through the first Easter. (Short op-ed)
Confessions of a Cellphone-Challenged Journalist. They’re everywhere! They’re everywhere! In airplanes, airports, cars, restaurants, the grocery. An amusing look at our cellphone society, with a personal twist. (Short op-ed)
Paris Hilton and What We Want. The heiress scored number one on Google News searches in 2006. What do people want to know about? Why do celebrities rank so high? What clues might this hold to our wants and needs and how to meet them? (Short op-ed)
A Little “Kramer” in All of Us? Comedian Michael Richards – “Kramer” on TV’s Seinfeld – saw his racist tirade at African-American hecklers ignite a firestorm. Lots of people have dark sides. Maybe everyone. Maybe you. I do. (Short op-ed)
M.I.T. Dean’s Pants on Fire. George Washington, call your agent. America needs your “I cannot tell a lie” message. A popular dean has resigned after admitting resume padding and living a 28-year lie. Any life lessons here? (Short op-ed)
Martian Election Observer Writes Home. A tongue-in-cheek reflection on the 2004 US presidential campaign by an astute interplanetary observer. (Short op-ed)
“Mistakes Were Made.” If you’re the nation’s top cop, you know it’s a bad day when pundits compare you to Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Was US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales using the “past exonerative” verb tense? What constitutes “true confession?” (Short op-ed)
Veep Logic? When you’re the Vice President of the United States and your office uses farfetched arguments to defend your policies, maybe it’s time to review your logic. (Short op-ed)
The Star movie: First-Christmas animal adventure. This fun and funny animated film tracks a slew of animals following an unusual Star to a manger in Bethlehem, where they sense something wonderful is about to happen involving a pregnant woman named Mary and her husband Joseph. Celebrity voices include Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Kris Kristofferson, Patricia Heaton, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi and Christopher Plummer. (Short op-ed)
‘When We Last Spoke’ movie: Kids’ dreams, family secrets, forgiveness. Did you have fun as a kid with your siblings? Argue with them as adults? Were your parents imperfect or absent? Did your grandparents dote on you? Got any family secrets? Do any childhood wounds still need healing? If any of this is true about you, you may feel right at home watching When We Last Spoke. (Short op-ed)
‘Walking with Herb’ movie: Fun sports drama, inspiring second chances. Need a fun, refreshing break from COVID-world? How about some laughs, mixed with high-level sports drama plus some inspiring second-chance stories woven in for good measure? Veteran actor Edward James Olmos and comic George Lopez will make you chuckle as you ponder in Walking with Herb. (Short op-ed)
‘The Mulligan’ movie: Need a second chance? Ever wish life granted second chances? What would you do with them? The Mulligan movie uses the game of golf to get you to ponder possibilities. (Short op-ed)