Scenes from top comedies of all time.

Wow, you got that one right Michael! You are in top form.

Apparently you don't think A Fish Called Wanda is funny. That doesn't surprise me at all. However, many who have an actual sense of humor think it's one of the funniest comedies of all time.

Here's a list of the top 100 film comedies of all time and AFCW is at 57!

100 Greatest Comedy Movies

Here's another list where it is at 31!

Best Comedy Movies (Rank Ordered) | Listology

Here's another list where AFCW is at #14!

Top 25 Comedies of All-Time - Movies Feature at IGN

The AFI has AFCW at #21 of alltime funniest movies.

A.F.I. Top 100 Funniest Movies

So Michael, you know a comedy is supposed to be funny. However, what is really funny is you don't realize great comedy when you see it.

Hey Kim, The Princess Bride is listed at number 19 of all time in this list:

Top 25 Comedies of All-Time - Movies Feature at IGN

Sal, I didn't look for these lists until Mikey felt a need to say he didn't like my choice and I then wanted to defend it. I loved that movie. There are so many good lines and great acting that is really is a classic. It isn't just critics who liked it, but comedy fans. BTW, most of those lists I posted aren't just some dude living in the basement who makes these things up. They are compiled by viewers and critics alike.

Here's another stat people can ignore if they want: A Fish Called Wanda was one of only 24 movies to be named on all three of the American Film Institute, Bravo and Readers' Digest "top 100 funniest" lists.

You didn't LOL at it? Fine.

Well, this is certainly the grumpiest thread about comedy I've ever seen.

I think that one thing has to be considered -the difference between English and U.S. humour (and I'm not saying one is better than the other!)

For instance, I have not laughed once at "Friends", but obviously it must be funny to some people.

I think the great scenes can be instantly recalled by a couple of words e'g' "chicken soup", as mentioned above.

For U.K. people, just the words "dead parrot" and "four candles" will raise a smile.
(Look them up on Youtube)

While I like Michael a whole lot, and Tim and I have had our own battles, I
have to agree with Tim on this one. I found Michael's remark, well, let's just
say it did kind of criticize Tim's choice. So I can see why his need to defend
it by posting the lists.

My 2 cents on the subject?

Comedy is VERY subjective. I have been bored to tears by movies that
people told me were outrageously funny. On the other hand, I have found
some movies that were supposed to be serious an absolute scream in the
laugh department...especially horror movies. I can't take very many of
them seriously.

Some people love the 3 Stooges and others hate them.

Nobody knows why some comedy works for some and not for others, and
the fact that a whole bunch of people like something is meaningless in
my book.

A movie is only funny if it's funny to you.

Because of that, I will never judge or criticize somebody else's taste in
comedy, even if it's offensive comedy like Andrew Dice Clay. I actually
loved him and thought he was hysterical, but I can understand some
people finding him very offensive.

We tend to become so emotionally attached to the things we love and
hate, sometimes to the point where we either feel the need to slam
somebody else for their preferences or defend ours to the death.

It's the one part of human nature that I am less than proud of and
because of it, try each day to be as objective and open minded as I
can about things.

I didn't see A Fish Called Wanda nor did I watch the clip, so I can't
comment on it. But even if I could, I'd never criticize somebody else's
enjoyment of the movie.

Robot Monster was said to be the worst movie ever made, next to Plan
9 From Outer Space.

I enjoyed it immensely...especially the scene when the girl died and the
mother and rest of the family were walking away with her crying.

I was laughing so hard I almost split my sides.

Some people might have thought I was being insensitive. But the acting
was SO bad, you couldn't help but laugh.

At least that's how I saw it.

Others?

Some might have been moved to tears.
Some might have found it boring.
Some might have never even got to that part of the movie.

Yeah, it was THAT bad.

Point is, taste is taste and there is no technical right or wrong when it
comes to what we like, at least as far as entertainment goes.

That's why you can read two critics reviews of a movie and one will love
it and another will hate it.

If you think I'm kidding, go to rottentomatoes.com and read some reviews
of some of the biggest movies of our time.

You would think these people were watching two different movies based
on the reviews.

Tim, if you thought A Fish Called Wanda was funny, that's all that matters.

It's one more smile brought to you in life that wouldn't have been there
otherwise.

Immediately after reading this thread I jumped on to YouYube and watched videos of Peter Cook, who I find supremely talented in that he makes the most banal and ordinary remark funny. The words in themselves aren't funny, it's all in the intonation and timing. Watch him discussing intestines with John Cleese, who is desperately trying not too laugh.

I find American humor is more visual, while British humor is more verbal.

I also found I was in great company admiring Peter Cook, people like John Cleese, Michael Palin and Steven Fry, who know a thing or two about comedy.

But your right Sal - how can you compare Peter with Benny Hill?

P.S. If you haven't seen Peter Cook, look him up on Youtube. On the other hand, you may not find him funny at all!

Thanks for explaining Michael. Honestly, I didn't get it either but I never
noticed that you sign your posts differently depending on whether you're
serious or not.

Shows you how observant (NOT) I am.

But yes, the written word doesn't always come off as intended. In fact,
I think more often than not, it comes across all wrong.

Especially when I'M the one writing it.