nick at nite made me weak in the knees
For quite some time, possibly beginning with my intense movie-going experiences of high school, I’ve been a critic of many media. If ever there is something that excels with quality in its field, I enjoy acknowledging it and appreciating the form. From modern art and comedy to classic literature and television - anything that is truly stellar, I’d love to enjoy it (recommendations welcome).
While some people may no longer get a kick out of the pie-in-the-face gag, I still relish in simple comedic jokes. With gratitude and humility, I will admit to being the butt of a perfectly executed example of wit today. It all began during the morning hours of work… ::cue flashback ripples::
There I was, taking some measurements in the lab, using some gauges and then writing some numbers down on my chart, over and over again. The noise levels emitting from the machines in use generally drown out any hope of hearing someone enter the room, so I was unaware of a small party arriving while I sat with my back to the door. Oh, the drama builds.
So, I’m getting some data when I feel a tap on my left shoulder. I pause for a second before turning because I was writing something down, and during that pause I was asking myself who it could have been. The state of a semi-tedious task also made me question whether or not I had, in fact, felt something on my shoulder. So, once the numbers were jotted down, I turned to my left. No on there. I reprimand myself for falling into a dreamy state in which I imagine people tapping my shoulders.
But then I turn to the front again, and I see two of my co-workers walking down the corridor heading for the other room. And the one on the left is trying to stiffle a lite smile. The first thing to flash into my mind: Brilliant! He pulled off the timeless shoulder-tap routine with a perfect response from me and also impeccable form. I heard no sound prior to feeling something on my shoulder, that is always the key to trapping your joke-victim in this situation. I felt stupefied and awed - a seamless integration of procedure and results.
Needless to say, I hold this state of being the poor end of a joke as one of the greatest honors I’ve received of late. And with that said, let me add that I’ve received very few honors of late.
May 26th, 2005 at 1:48 am
Muh-hah. No longer find the pie-in-the-face gag amusing? I tried saying as much myself once, during a discussion in one of my theatre history classes. (I held that banana gags were funnier.)
About 20 minutes later, one of my friends (whom had slipped out of class just after the discussion) snuck up behind me, and planted a pie in my face. During class. I was forced to concede the point after that happening. Ah, theatre peoples . . . .
Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough irony for you:
It was a Banana Cream Pie.
~dk