critical humor Quotes

A third variety of drama ... begins as tragedy with scraps of fun in it ... and ends in comedy without mirth in it, the place of mirth being taken by a more or less bitter and critical irony.

I don't think you get a lot of comedians who are homeopaths. Comedy is essentially about not being hoodwinked.

It is within the established American tradition of satire, if America surrenders on this point, the freedom of speech is a relic of history.

Charlie Hebdo: Satire was the father of true political freedom, born in the 18th century; the scourge of bigots and tyrants. Sing its praises.

I'm a Larry David fan, right? And it seems to me that Jewish history from the Talmud on has been a self-deprecating, self-critical kind of humor.

AARP is a large and powerful organization, similar to the Mafia but more concerned about dietary fiber.

The humorist has a good eye for the humbug; he does not always recognize the saint.

Humphrey Searle writes music that sounds like the theme from 'Star Wars' played backwards through a washing machine.

Sometimes people don't want to laugh because it's wrong to laugh at their own establishment.

Satire is dependent on strong beliefs, and on strong beliefs wounded.

Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles - and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn't their fault they were given a gift like speech - look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.

Any discussion of the problems of being funny in America will not make sense unless we substitute the word wit for humor. Humor inspires sympathetic good-natured laughter and is favored by the healing-power gang. Wit goes for the jugular, not the jocular, and it's the opposite of football; instead of building character, it tears it down.