Friday, June 20, 2008

Favorite Funny Men

by Beth Andrews

I used to watch this very cool show on The Discovery Channel called Dirty Jobs. See, in Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe tries the dirtiest, most disgusting jobs he can find. It's really interesting and honestly, quite disgusting.

Oh, how I loved that show!

I'm not actually allowed to watch it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I try and watch it but whenever it's on, my dear husband turns the channel. Why? Well, it's not because he's grossed out when Mike inseminates a horse or collects owl vomit or trudges around in sewage systems.

It's because I have a crush--a HUGE crush--on Mike Rowe.

But before you start to think I'm crushing on Mike only because he's cute (which he is) let me say that his looks are not the reason I adore this man. It's because he's funny. Yep, there you have it. I love funny guys. Give me a guy who can make me laugh and I'm hooked *g*

Which is why today I give you:

Beth's List of Her Favorite Funny Men:
(yes, I do love my lists *g*)

1. Mike Rowe - As mentioned above, he does the most disgusting jobs but he's always ready with a zinger or one liner that cracks me up.

2. Justin Long - Otherwise known as the Mac Guy in the Mac commercials as well as Drew Barrymore's boyfriend. What a cutie! And I loved him in the TV show Ed which brings me to...

3. Tom Cavanagh - He was the lead character in Ed and he was adorable! He was smart and funny and such a good guy I couldn't help but root for him that he'd win Carol's (the girl of his dreams since high school) heart :-)

4. John Krasinski - I love The Office and part of the reason is Jim Halpert! What a cutie and he's always pulling the funniest pranks on his coworkers and trying so hard to keep his boss in line. Every episode cracks me up!





5. Owen Wilson - I fell for Owen in a big way. That hair. That crooked nose. That sexy voice *g* Loved him in Night at the Museum and, though it wasn't a comedy, Behind Enemy Lines.




6. Ben Stiller - love how he's not afraid to play the bad guy (he was hilarious as White Goodman in Dodgeball) or the good guy (Larry Daley in Night at the Museum) or the not so bright guy (Derek Zoolander in Zoolander)

7. The men of MASH - I love, love, love this show! Hawkeye, Trapper John and BJ were my favorites. I especially love Hawkeye's laugh :-)

8. The men of Friends - Ross was my favorite but honestly, Chandler's dry wit is the most similar to my own sense of humor so he made me laugh the most *g*

9. Steve Carell - Yep, love him in The Office but he really cracked me up in Anchorman (as the dim-witted Brick Tamland) and I thought he was terrific in Dan In Real Life!

10. The classics - Cary Grant, James Stewart and Clark Gable. (sigh) Some of my very favorite movie stars of all time and they all did comedy so well! They were all handsome, super talented and could play both dramatic roles and humorous ones. They had it all :-)

What about you? Do you prefer a guy who can make you laugh or are you into more serious men? Who are some of your favorite funny guys? I'll give away a signed copy of Not Without Her Family to one luck poster so let's hear from you!

96 comments:

Minna said...

Favorite funny guys? Well, Ian Wright from Lonely Planet is one of them...

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wish wish wish I could write a romance novel with one of these men as the hero!! I loved this post, Beth! I adore these guys, every one on the list, and I'd love to see one of them in a romance. But they aren't really alpha, and not really perfect in the looks camp...so it's hard to squeeze them between the pages of a book.

Anyway, super fun blog -- and I got Not Without Her Family TODAY from Borders! SQUEEE! But it's for a plane ride next week Tuesday, so I will simply have to exercise restraint until then.

Deep sigh.

Tawny said...

WOOOT Minna - Congrats on snagging the GR!!

I love funny men!!! Especially ensemble comedies, because there just seems to be more range and fun. MASH, Home Improvement, Friends - the are my all time awesome fave series. Chandler was always my favorite, just because he's so snarkily funny (hmmmm, I guess I DO see a resemblance to him and you, Beth)

Fedora said...

Great post, Beth! I LOVE the funny--and you covered lots of very excellent funny guys :) Ross was such a dweeb, but mostly a lovable one, but Chandler was my favorite, too--I think there was a bit more snark, and I lurrrve that ;) (Oh, wait, I see that Tawny loves the snark, too--yep, nothing like snark to bond people together!)

Hugh Laurie isn't currently doing comedy in House, but he's got some entertaining moments in it, and of course, he's done some of that Brit comedy that can be oh-so-funny, too :)

Congrats on the GR, Minna!!

Helen said...

Congrats MInna

Great post Beth and I agree gotta love a man who can make you laugh and of course if they are cute as well even better.
I have nver seen the show Dirty Jobs but my Son watches it whenever he can and tells me about it.
I loved Friends as well and I really liked Joey he always cracked me up I really like Adam Sandler I think he is so funny Cary Grant yummo another guy that I truly loved still do is Dean Martin I love his singing and his acting especially when he was with Jerry Lewis I still love those movies and always laugh.

Have Fun
Helen

Minna said...

GR is here just in time to celebrate Midsummer Eve.

Jane said...

I love funny guys. A sense of humor is very important. Some of my favorite funny men are Jon Stewart, Vince Vaughn, Chris Rock, Craig Ferguson and Conan O'Brien. I love MASH, too. 30 Rock and Seinfeld are super funny. As for the classics, I've always loved Danny Kaye.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

GREAT POST, Beth!

Amazon delivered my copy of NWHF this week, also Jeanne's D&D. I'm trying to restrain myself but it is tuff!

As for a sense of humor, it is essential! My BFF and I had a saying back when we were single. Men had to be able to do 2 things: make me laugh and make me... um, you know. YES! YES! (think When Harry Met Sally but NOT in a deli)

Jane, I ADORE Craig Ferguson. Sometimes I switch off Leno just to hear Craig's accent, and see that twinkle in his eye! TOO CUTE!!! And I understand that my ever-lovin Eric had his own comedy show on Oz TV before he came to Hollywood and went all serious. I know on talk shows he often has the mischievous eye twinkle too.

AC
a sucker for a guy with a twinkle in his eyes.

Anna Campbell said...

Beth, what a great post! I wish we had more funny guys in romance too. Although some of the lighter Regency historicals feature witty men - just off the top of my head, I can think of Gideon in Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake and a lot of the Georgette Heyer heroes were funny. Well, wryly amusing rather than funny in most cases but I love that twinkle in a man's eye. Yeah, Helen, I don't think you can go past Cary Grant for this kind of stuff. He was an absolute master at that. And still stay so sexy too!

Anna Campbell said...

Speaking of funny things, Christine Wells has set up a Dangerous Diary blog in the lead-up to the release of the Dangerous Duke and I think it's a hoot:

http://dangerousdiary.blogspot.com/

Christine Wells said...

Hi Beth, great post! I'm with you on funny men! Ben Stiller is a fantastic actor with perfect comedic timing. I loved him in Meet the Parents. I also love funny English actor Rowan Atkinson (mainly from his Blackadder days) I'm awful but that sarcastic, sneering, clever humour appeals to me.

And what about that fellow in sliding doors? I really like him but he's not perfect in the looks department either. Hugh Grant can be funny, if you can get over his personal life.

Fedora, I'm with you on Hugh Laurie! He was great in Sense and Sensibility, too.

Christine Wells said...

Ooh, Fo, you must have posted that the same time I did. Snork. Thanks for the spruik, Bandita!

And when did we schedule that SMACKDOWN for again?

Minna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzanne Ferrell said...

Great post, Beth! And congrats minna on the GR snag!

Funny men. You mentioned one of my favorites: Cary Grant. I adore his movies. Charade, Bringing Up Baby (OMG if you haven't seen that one, you must run out and rent it), That Touch Of Mink........mmmmmmm!

I must confess to having a huge crush on the Belushi brothers. First John in Animal House. God I loved that he dressed as a pirate and kidnapped the sorority girl at the end! And then Jim...he is so funny!

Carol said...

Congrats Minna
...the GR is set for a long day!What time will the sun go down there?
And Thanks for those interesting recipes on the site address you posted.

Here in australia we have a team of guys on a Tv program called
The Chasers... I think they are hilarious!
Cheers Carol

Annie West said...

Beth, great idea for a post. I'm with you - guys who make me laugh are fantastic. But I have to say it's not the stand up comedian types that appeal, it's more the ones with a laid back, wry sense of humour. That effortless seeming humour that can change the whole atmosphere for the better.

Lovely!

Christine Wells said...

Carol, I love The Chaser too! I am Thesaurus is an absolute classic!

Minna said...

Carol, this time of year the sun doesn't really go down at all. It just goes a bit lower in the evening and then starts to rise again.

Minna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donna MacMeans said...

Beth - Great Post!

Well, my favorite funny man is my husband, who none of you know, but he's one of those quiet guys - the kind that sits back and listens and then makes an observation that's so funny I laugh long and hard and LOUD. I love it.

I've seen Mike Rowe do that sewage thing. I haven't seen it often, but he's great. I love the sound of his voice as well.

Your list was perfect. Give me a comedy anytime. It's said that it's harder to do than other forms of acting because of the timing, but rarely gets the serious recognition of drama. So here's to the funny guys.

Terry Odell said...

My husband loves Dirty Jobs -- and the company of someone we know was featured on the show once. But he has his own tv and can watch whatever he wants, as can I.

I'm definitely for someone who makes me laugh. The best times are the fun times.

However, most of the shows you've listed are "after" my time...I loved the comedy in M*A*S*H, and The Dick Van Dyke show (I went into labor laughing while watching that one!).

Haven't been able to get into many sit coms lately. I think Tool Time was the last one I watched.

Not to say any of those characters would work in a romance, but I don't think you need an ultra-alpha. I tend to write mine a little kinder/gentler, and I definitely give them a sense of humor.

Minna said...

Christine, have you seen this? Rowan Atkinson: "...This is Hell and I am the Devil."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UbqZ_oN5do&feature=related

This still cracks me up...

Maureen said...

A good laugh is a wonderful break in the day. Johnny Carson was a favorite of mine years ago as was David Letterman although I haven't watched his show for some time.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

I love to laugh and your list was perfect!
Minna, congrats on the GR he won't know when to crow so you might have to help him out.
I loved Home Improvement, he was hilarious and "Jill" was a perfect compliment.
One of you guys could write a romance with a man like that, I am sure of it. Maybe a way too serious heroine that needs to lighten up big time?

Deb Marlowe said...

Ooh, fun topic, Beth!

Besides so many already mentioned, I also love Adam Sandler as a beta, funny guy. I love the little songs he sings to his heroines sometimes, I always totally believe that he came up with them

And now I have Forgetful Lucy, She's got a nice caboosie! in my head!

Buffie said...

What a wonderful post Beth!!! I so love a funny guy, especially when they make me giggle. I agree with you on every single one of them.

But let's be honest. If the guy is hot, who really cares what comes out of his mouth!!! LOL!!! Come on ladies, you know me ;)

BTW, don't forget to stop by Romance Novel TV today and see my hottie of the month blog. Anna and Donna, thanks for already stopping by!

Gannon Carr said...

Buffie, you are too funny (and too right) about a hot guy and not caring what comes out of his mouth. :D

Beth, I love all of your choices. Funny men are very attractive. I absolutely love Stephen Colbert and his dry wit. His show and his book are hilarious.

Oh, yes, I love me some Hugh Laurie. His snarkiness as Dr. House really does it for me.

Buffie said...

What???

Buffie said...

LOL!

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Minna! Congrats on the GR. What do the two of you have cooked up for the day? Hmm...I probably shouldn't use the word 'cook' when speaking about our dear GR, should I?

Kirsten, thank you so much for picking NWHF! I hope you enjoy it *g*

I agree with you about loving to see one of my fave funny guys in a romance novel! I'm not sure I could pull it off but boy, it would be fun to try :-)

Actually, I have a secondary character in NWHF I based on Owen Wilson *g* Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll get his own story some day ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

LOL, Tawny! What are you trying to say? At least I don't emphasize certain words when I'm snarky like Chandler did *g*

Fedora, can you believe I've never seen House?? I can see I must remedy (get it? It's just a bit of medical humor *g*) that immediately :-)

And yes, Tawny loves snark. Which is why she puts up with me *ggg*

Helen, I highly recommend Dirty Jobs. And not just because of Mike Rowe *g* It's really interesting what kind of jobs are out there!

I like Adam Sandler in roles like The Wedding Singer and Click and honestly, the commercials for You Don't Mess With The Zohan crack me up :-)

Minna said...

Well, as it is Midsummer Eve, there will be bonfire, we'll raise the flag and there'll be sauna and some swimming, too.

Minna said...

And maybe GR will pick seven flowers and put them under his pillow so that he might see his future girl friend in a dream.

Beth Andrews said...

Hi, Jane! I agree about Jon Stewart - so funny and cute too! I caught part of the Daily Show yesterday and he had Steve Carell on - I was in heaven :-)

And my husband, son and I are all big Seinfeld fans. Great choices!

LOL, AC! Your 2 requirements are perfect! I couldn't agree more *g* (btw, I just saw the diner scene in WHMS - even after seeing it a hundred times it's still funny *g*)

I too am a sucker for good eye twinkle ;-) And I love it when one of my fave sexy/serious actors are interviewed and they show their sense of humor *g*

Lesli Richardson (aka Tymber Dalton) said...

Just Tivo DJ and watch when he's not home. :) I agree, Mike Rowe is yummalicious...uh, when he's not filthy. *LOL*

Ditto Cary Grant (yum!), Steve Carrel, Ben Stiller, and Owen Wilson. And the commenter who said Hugh Laurie.

I'd like to toss James Spader into the mix. No, he's not "technically" funny, but he has some fantastic lines in "Boston Legal" that just split my sides.

And Tim Curry. Just the snarky way he delivers lines...one of my favorite movies ever is "Clue."

I find a guy attractive more for how they act than how they look. If they look good, fine, but let's face it, if a guy is hot and an a$$hole, who cares? I also don't like guys who have no neck because their head looks like it sits on their shoulders because they spend 27 hours a day in a gym. Ick.

Fortunately for me, I think my husband is not only funny, but scrumptious. *LOL* (And he doesn't mind me watching Mike Rowe. *LOL*)

Beth Andrews said...

Anna, I so agree about Cary Grant being the master! And sexy. Always sexy *g*

And I love wryly amusing heroes! Especially in historicals - a battle of wits between an equally matched couple is so sexy and entertaining :-)

Yes, everyone should check out Christine's Dangerous Diary! It's too funny :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Christine! We can be awful together because I too love sarcastic, clever humor *g*

And it's funny you mentioned Hugh Grant as I was just thinking about him. Well, to be specific, I was thinking about him and Colin Firth in the fight scene in Bridget Jones' Diary. Now THAT was funny!

You know, I think I'd like to add Colin to my list. He's so funny in Bridget Jones and Love Actually :-)

Minna said...

Must add Steve Martin and Robin Williams to the list.
I like Conan, too. He's popular here in Finland, at least partly thanks to engineering students (they are a crazy lot).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weXVwWvmUGU

Susan Sey said...

Oh, Beth, you & I are going to have to have a hair-pulling tussle over John Krasinski, because he is *mine*. :-) You can have Ben Stiller, you can even have Owen Wilson, but John? Mine all mine. Back away slowly & I'll let you have Steve Carrell, too.

But seriously, I do love guys with a sense of humor, especially when it's smart & self-deprecating. I used to adore Dennis Miller, too, when he was on SNL's Weekend Update for this very reason. I didn't get half of his references, but I loved that little self-mocking twinkle that said, "You know, I don't really get them all myself, I'm talking just waaaaay too fast, let's move on, shall we?"

Great post, today! And I have my eyes open for NWHF, because I want my own copy, too!

Beth Andrews said...

Yay, another Cary Grant Fan! And I know we have at least one more in our Anna S *g*

John and Jim Belushi are great choices, Suz!

I'll admit to having a crush on Bill Murray after watching Ghost Busters :-)

Hi, Carol! I'd love to hear more about The Chasers - sounds very cool *g*

Annie, I agree with you one hundred percent! My favorite funny men aren't there to entertain but their humor shines through whatever they do :-)

CrystalGB said...

I love funny guys. Some of my favorites are Robin Williams, Jim Belushi, and Tim Allen

Claudia Dain said...

Love the funny guys!

Tom Hanks in Turner and Hooch (that movie is so underrated), when they're in the car doing surveillance and Hooch (a mangy dog) shakes his head super fast the way dogs do, the drool whipping around, and Tom Hanks tries the same thing, and his eyes roll back in his head...I laugh every time I see it. Tom Hanks can do it all, humor and drama, and I love him no matter what. He's up there with Cary Grant and Spencer Tracy (another drama/comedy killer actor) IMHO.

Beth Andrews said...

Donna, I'm married to a funny guy as well. No one can make laugh as often or as hard as he does *g*

Vicki Lewis Thompson gave a workshop at National last year called: Dying Is Easy...Comedy Is Hard. Which is so true, isn't it? It takes a special talent to be able to make people laugh.

Terry, we don't watch many sitcoms either. The last ones we followed regularly were Seinfeld and Friends but The Office is just too good to miss!

And I definitely give my heroes a sense of humor. If my h/h can't laugh together, then there's no hope for them *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Maureen, I love David Letterman but haven't watched him in a long time. But he is definitely worth staying up late for *g*

LOL, Dianna, on our GR not knowing when to crow. Hope he's not like the rooster we have up the road who crows ALL DAY LONG *g*

My youngest is a huge Home Improvement fan. In fact, she loves it so much, she wants to move in with Tawny since she has the box set :-)

Hey, Deb! Adam's songs are hilarious, aren't they? I've heard The Chanukah Song about a million times and it never fails to get me laughing *g*

ROFL, Buffie! Maybe we could get the non-funny but hot guys to just keep their mouths shut?

But what if I want it all? Hotness and humor? *g* From the interviews I've seen, George Clooney seems to have a great sense of humor. And one of my favorite crushes, Matt Damon, did that hilarious video with Sarah Silverman.

Good to know some hotties can be funny too ;-)

Louisa Cornell said...

Congrats on the GR, Minna! Have fun with him.

Great post, Beth. I love a funny guy, especially the ones who are funny without trying. My DH was like that. He had the driest sense of humor. He would say things that had the rest of us rolling in the floor and he would just sit there with this light grin and a raised eyebrow. I do miss that.

To me Cary Grant is the quintessential dry funny man. Funny and so cosmopolitanly sexy. (is that a word?)

Tim Curry is an absolute hoot! His comedic timing is perfect. I love Clue and I love the character he played in one of the Home Alone movies.

My favorite Adam Sandler movie is The Waterboy. I watch that when I want a good mindless laugh.

Brendan Frasier has done some great comedy and lets face it ladies, he is NOT bad to look at either.

Beth Andrews said...

Gannon, Stephen Colbert is so funny! His facial expressions alone crack me up *g*

Minn, Midsummer Eve sounds fabulous! I'm sure the GR will have a great time :-)

LOL, Madmumbler! I could definitely sneak in my DJ fix *g* And I agree about Tim Curry (I've never seen Boston Legal) and I'd also like to toss in Alan Rickman mostly for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves :-)

Great additions, Minna! I love Steve Martin - much more now than when he was a Wild and Crazy Guy *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Oh, Susan, there's no reason for us to fight over John because I've already (clearly) called Dibs on him *g* I love tall, good looking funny guys. Actually, I married a tall, good looking, funny guy ;-)

Thanks for looking for NWHF!

Crystal, thanks for stopping by! Great list of funny men. Tim Allen seems to be a favorite :-)

Oh, I can't believe I forgot Tom Hanks, Claudia! I started crushing on him as a mere child back in his Bosom Buddies days *g* Love him in Big, A League of Their Own and Toy Story 1 and 2 :-)

Louisa, your DH's sense of humor sounds right up my alley.

LOL on making up a word. I make up words all the time (just ask Tawny *g*)

And Brendan Frasier is a terrific choice! One of my favorite BF movies is Blast From The Past. Very cute romantic comedy :-)

jo robertson said...

Funny post about funny men, Beth!

I do love a man who can make me laugh. That's what it's all about for me. The pretty boys come and go, the smart ones can be stuffy and boring, and the brawny fellows sport too much testosterone for me.

But the man who can make me smile, poke fun at a tense situation, or joke me out of a bad mood -- he's worth all the rest put together.

Ben Stiller was hilarious in Dodgeball, but I loved his straight man, Vince Vaughan. His understated humor cracks me up.

Minna, congrats. Whatcha gonna do with the rooster today?

Susan Sey said...

Oh, who said James Spader?? Was it madmumbler mom? I LOVE me some James Spader. Not technically a funny guy, but very few people do taxed patience & sauve disbelief better. :-) Excellent choice.

Dina said...

I like funny men. I think Craig Ferguson is halarious, but there are so many othes that can show they're funny sides. :)

Sandy Blair said...

Hi Beth,
I adore funny men. It's one of the reason I fell in love with my dh. Thanks for the great post.
Sandy, who just had Suzy fix my Google account

Beth Andrews said...

Jo, I agree - Vince Vaughn was a wonderful straight man in Dodgeball! And I like guys who don't take themselves too seriously. Life's serious enough as it is :-)

Dina, I love finding out one of my favorite actors has a great sense of humor. Makes them seem more approachable *g*

Beth Andrews said...

You know, we've been talking about funny heroes in romance novels which got me thinking (yes, that's always dangerous *g*) about some of my favorite funny heroes/guys in books. Here's a quick list:

Phin in Welcome To Temptation by Jennifer Crusie. This was my first Crusie book and I immediately fell for her writing and fell head over heels for Phin *g*

Dean in SEP's Natural Born Charmer. His humor sure charmed the socks off of me :-)

Izzy from Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series. Brockmann's heroes are often funny but theres a scene in Into The Storm where Izzy is babysitting an infant and he's singing to the baby - just making up a song - that is so hilarious!

cheryl c said...

I love a man who can make me laugh! Laughter can help you get through the stresses and tragedies in life. George Clooney is an example of a man who is gorgeous, sexy, serious, AND funny. He loves to crack jokes in interviews and laugh at himself. I think I could enjoy being around him...for a lot of reasons! ;)

Hellie Sinclair said...

5-8, I totally agree with...and I adore Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart *swoons*: I adore a guy who can make me laugh.

I'll have to come back with some more funny guys...but yes, I adore them. A guy has to make me laugh. That's #1.

Rebekah E. said...

You are right, give a guy that has humor. I love Mike Rowe. My husband and I watch dirty jobs all the time. I think I have always like guys that are funny and just a little bit of a smart ass. I'm a very serious person and I would hate to see what it would be like If my husband was too. I love that my husband is so funny, I think that is alot of the reason I fell for him.

Terri Osburn said...

Great blog, Beth. I love this topic. I'm right there with you, a man has to be able to make me laugh. And not AT him if you know what I mean.

I have a friend that gets baffled about some of the guys I've dated. Not spectacular in the looks department (though to be fair neither am I) but they make me laugh and that gets me everytime.

And Mike Rowe is a favorite of mine too. But I think he often falls back on the humor when he's really scared. Some of the things that man does are dangerous!

I haven't read all the post so someone might have mentioned him already but I think Paul Newman does funny really well. Talk about a twinkle in his eye. Even in Empire Grill where he played a coniving, dirty old man, he was still cute and very funny.

tetewa said...

Love the funny guys, some of my favorites are Dane Cook, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey!

Beth Andrews said...

Hi Sandy! My DH's sense of humor is part of the reason I'm so crazy for him and honestly, being able to laugh with each other has helped us through some stressful times *g*

LOL, Cheri! I agree with you on George Clooney! He really seems like a lot of fun :-)

Mshellion, I so adore Jimmy Stewart! I love that scene in It's A Wonderful Life where Mary loses her towel and has to hide behind a hedge. He's hilarious as he contemplates what to do next *ggg*

Rebekah, sounds like and you and your husband balance each other out :-)

Beth said...

I guess I really am a redneck - I love NASCAR, country music and Jeff Foxworthy. He is funny and cute and very approachable. He seems like a regular guy and he introduced me to my favorite redneck word "pandalerium." Also his routine about his family on vacation "The Clampets go to Maui" is hysterical, and he doesn't resort to four letter words every other word in order to be funny.

Terri Osburn said...

After reading some of the comments, I have to say there are also exceptions to the rule. To MsHellion's everlasting chagrin, I will never find Will Ferrell funny or attractive. And I don't care how funny Larry the Cable Guy is, other than being the voice of Tater in Cars, I can't bring myself to watch him.

Keira Soleore said...

Beth, I have to zoom outta here, so a quick note. Will be back for a long one in the afternoon.

Give me a man who can make me laugh any day over a serious one. I don't necessarily want one who's funny, as in is the comedic center of attention at every party. A man who can make me laugh is perfect.

Minna-yay. The GR's off to Finland to see the Northern Lights. Lucky, lucky rooster.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Minna,
Thanx a bunch for sharing the 7 flowers under your pillow. I'll have to include that in a story sometime!

Sandy, WELCOME BACK! So glad Suz got your account fixed so you can join us in the lair from time to time.

Also tetewa and rebekah, long time no see. Nice to have you back!

I gotta agree that his sense of humor is one of the things I love most about my DH. His is dry and very unexpected, whereas mine tends to be fast and snarky. :-) Also, I agree with Terrio, I do NOT find Larry the Cable Guy the least bit amusing. And both Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler are hit & miss for me. I LOVED "Night at the Museum" and "The Wedding Singer" but other things they've done, not so much. :-P

Funny really is hard to achieve!

AC

Hellie Sinclair said...

Beth, that was my favorite scene in IAWL! "It's not everyday a man finds himself in exactly this situation..." OMG, he was a total rake right there, and yet, he's the funny "beta"! I don't know Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant--and I thought of a 3rd, Rock Hudson, did a delicious blend of a sort of "alpha" and "beta" guy. The guy who has it all: he has confidence and takes charge of a situation, but he's also gentlemanly about it, funny, and humble.

OH, I think James Garner is also funny! I love his stuff. And he's a sweetie. And I thought James Coburn was funny in Waterhole #3.

I do think Will Ferrell is hysterical, but the reason Terri can't stand him is because she's never seen the skit about MORE COWBELL. If she did, she'd love Will as much as I do. Even if a lot of his stuff is over the top. (And Terri also doesn't think Owen is cute either. You know what, I don't think Terri has good taste.) *ducks rum bottle*

Pat Cochran said...

I go along with Cary Grant, the MASH
crew, Johnny Carson, and add to this list Harvey Korman & Tim Conway! For
some reason, the newer "crop" of
funny(?) men just are not funny to
me! In fact, I don't watch any of
comedic TV shows.

Pat Cochran

Cassondra said...

Okay favorite funny guy-I don't think anybody has mentioned him...
Steve Martin.

I LOVED him in Roxanne, The Man With Two Brains...actually I've loved almost all of his roles.

Hmmm. I think I must be old. I also loved Dick Van Dyke and think there hasn't been a funnier guy EVER.

Definitely old. Jeez.

I've dated guys with no sense of humor and that was lousy. BUT I had the unfortunate experience of being with a few guys who WERE funny--but that's all they were. When it was time to be serious they just couldn't do it. They couldn't switch gears, and there's nothing like a joke at the exact wrong time to just screw up a moment, ya know? So I guess I like a guy who can switch back and forth when the need arises. A little depth and solid conversation to offset the humor maybe?

Minna, congrats on the GR.

Kirsten, you know I don't need perfect good looks or an uber alpha as a hero. I don't generally write either of those actually. I bet I'm not the only one. Why don't you put some of those "not quite perfect" guys in your stories? I wanna read one of whatever you write and I want your books to hurry up and get here. ;0)

Cassondra said...

Beth, I stayed up until 4:30 this morning reading Not Without Her Family.

Brilliant job. People who can put depth of character and give me that kind of wonderful story ride in a shorter book...well....y'all make me know I better not quit my day job. :0/

It was fantastic. I'm ready for the next one. Actually I finished the book about 3:30, but sat up RE-READING parts of it for another whole hour.

Beth Andrews said...

Terrio, I also think Mike uses humor to help him get through some of those more dangerous and/or really gross jobs.

And I'm not a Larry the Cable Guy fan either - but the guys in my house think he's hilarious *g* And honestly, Will Ferrell cracks me up!

Tetewa, my daughter thinks Dane Cook is hot *g* He's a cutie but I've only seen him in Dan in Real Life. My son says his stand up routine is hilarious *g*

Hey, Beth *g* I agree, Jeff Foxworthy is very funny! Love when he talks about the dangerous toys he had growing up like Lawn Darts :-)

Minna said...

...And it has to be 7 different flowers, too.
The Swedes tried to turn the Midsummer Eve into a Christian holiday, but it seems that the pagans won. Hardly anyone even knows which holy guy we are supposed to be celebrating now.

Cassondra said...

Minna said:

Must add Steve Martin and Robin Williams to the list.

Oh, Minna I see you already beat me to Steve Martin. I missed this when I read through the comments.

Tom Hanks is another super-talent when it comes to acting--so few people can do all the genres, but he can go from drama to comedy to anything in between. Rare.

Minna said...

Keira, it's the midnight sun you get to see around here this time of year.

Beth Andrews said...

Keira, I so agree! I don't need (or want) my husband to be the life of the party or to entertain everyone - it's enough that I get his sense of humor. He makes me laugh everyday even when things aren't going so well.

And to be honest, it's a bit annoying when I'm trying to have an argument with him and he gets me laughing :-)

AC, I really think that a person can work too hard at trying to be funny which often backfires. I think humor comes when a person is true to their own sense of what's funny and at ease with who they are *g*

Cassondra said...

Beth said:

Hey, Beth *g* I agree, Jeff Foxworthy is very funny! Love when he talks about the dangerous toys he had growing up like Lawn Darts :-)

I think this man is probably the most talented stand-up on the circuit today. The thing I appreciate is that he can do comedy without being raunchy. It takes a real gift to make people laugh at the everyday--driving your kindergartner to piano recital--okay that sounds boring, but Jeff Foxworthy can make it side-splitting funny. And he's one of VERY few who can do so. Make you laugh until you hurt without getting gross or raunchy. Raunch is where most people seem to go in stand-up--(which is funny for a while to me, but then I want to move on--which is why I wear out on guys like Larry the Cable Guy and his ilk) to get a guaranteed laugh. But he doesn't, and I laugh until I can't breathe!

Beth Andrews said...

Mshellion, yes, I so adore that scene! And you're right, he's still his funny, self-effacing beta but so sexy too *g* Mary knows her virture could be at stake if she's not careful.

You know, I've seen very few Rock Hudson movies. I'll have to remedy that right away *g*

And my son loves the More Cowbell skit! I thought Will was very funny in Semi Pro. When the bear he was wrestling gets loose and he ran around telling every to panic, I cracked up :-)

Pat, my DH and I adore the Carol Burnett show and Harvey and Tim were so wonderful, weren't they? Especially when Harvey and Carol would be trying so hard not to laugh at Tim *g* I was very sad when I heard Harvey passed away a few weeks ago.

Beth Andrews said...

Cassondra, Steve Martin is a great choice! I did like The Man with Two Brains and loved Roxanne but wasn't crazy about some of his earlier stuff. And he's still funny. Honestly, the best thing about Cheaper By The Dozen are him and Bonnie Hunt (a very funny lady *g*)

Okay, I'm off to take the boy to work. Will be back in a bit :-)

robynl said...

I loved Robin Williams in 'Patch Adams'; we have our own copy and ever so often we watch it again for some good laughs. He was also good on Mork and Mindy on TV.

Tawny said...

I'm giggling at the Tim Curry comments. I mean, really- ya'll can watch him and not want to immediately jump up and do the Time Warp, or yell "Dr. Frank N. Furter"

hmm, its just me? LOL

Beth is the Queen of snark which is one of the reasons I adore her writing (and her). I love humor in life and in all forms of entertainment.

Its my long time dream to write romcom, but getting that physical element of comedy is so hard, and the timing that works so well in physical comedy doesn't seem to translate in my writing *g*

Minna said...

Paul Gross is another favorite. Loved him in Due South as the ultra polite Canadian mountie!
And I like Dick Van Dyke, too. I've seen him in Diagnosis: Murder (with some younger Van Dykes).

Keira Soleore said...

Minna, loved the story of the seven flowers and the Midsummer Night's Eve. Go pagans. They've already given up so many fun celebration for staid saintly holidays, it's fun to see that some of the older traditions at least survive to the present day.

Yes, midnight sun, certainly. But I thought towards the northern reaches of the country you do see the aurora borealis.

catslady said...

I agree with your number one - Mike Rowe. I love him in Dirty Jobs and even watch the Deadliest Catch because he narrates it. He's just an ordinary guy with with a great sense of humor and not a bad bod lol.

Minna said...

Yeah, we see northern lights too, but only at winter. At summer there is just too much sunlight around the clock.

limecello said...

Hm - funny guys... I love the dry wit - but I have to admit that I love comedies too. Sitcoms. Friends was a cute show.
A sense of humor is a definite must - what with all the craziness in life... sometimes you just have to laugh.

Beth Andrews said...

Cassondra! Thank you so much. Wow. You made my day *g* I'm so glad you enjoyed NWHF.

Your writing is beautiful! Lyrical and poignant and moving. If it doesn't fit shorter books then it doesn't fit. It just means you were meant to write longer stories where you can go into a bit more depth :-)

For me, the shorter books do fit although I find myself writing longer and longer and having to cut more and more *g*

Beth Andrews said...

Yep, Cassondra, I agree about Jeff Foxworthy. Maybe the reason he's so funny to me is because I can relate to what he's talking about.

As a young mother, I discovered Erma Bombeck. Now, there I was, 21 yrs old with a husband and a baby reading some woman's books that were first published when I was a baby and I found them hilarious! Because I related to being home with this baby all day long. Because I still felt like a kid whenever I stepped foot inside my parents' home.

Oh, which reminds me another guy who makes me laugh -- Dave Barry. Very funny w/o the raunch :-)

Beth Andrews said...

Minna, I'm loving all these facts at Midsummer Eve! Thanks for sharing *g*

Robyn, I think Robin Williams is wonderful. Except when he's being interviewed he tends to go off on these tangents (which are hilarious) but I get exhausted just watching him :-)

Tawny's humor comes through loud and clear in her books which is part of what makes them so fantastic *g* Her humor is sassy and smart and her voice is perfect for Rom Com!

Beth Andrews said...

It's so much fun to discover so many Mike Rowe and Dirty Job fans! Catslady, we also watch Deadliest Catch - that show is addicting. Oh, and the people on Myth Busters crack us up too! And I never would've thought science could be fun ;-)

Limecello, you're right about just having to laugh at life's craziness. And the best part is that laughter is contagious. When my youngest watches I Love Lucy or Home Improvement and starts belly laughing, I can't help but laugh along *g*

Natalie Hatch said...

Oh Jimmy Stewart, now there was a guy who was not only funny, but caring and suave when needed.
Robin Williams - even in normal life he's great. He recently improv'd for a university lecture when the tech went down. He was sitting in the audience and then just started heckling/improving... funny stuff.
English actors are great too, Rowan certainly and Tony Robinson (rowans side kick in the Black Adder series)
I love Richard Ayoade from the IT Crowd, he's just got that character down pat.
And even though they're not trying I love the boys from Top Gear - Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson... they just stuff everything up but keep going.
Okay that's enough, better get back to writing. (I'm on an internet diet, can only stay on for 15 minutes before I have to go back and write)...

Karin* said...

My husband won me over with his humor. After 25 + years he still makes me laugh.
Christopher Walken. His expressions are priceless. He makes me smile before he opens his mouth.

Carol said...

Hi,
George Clooney in Leatheheads was so funny and not afraid to show himself in less attractive shots.

Renee plays a great sassy Character (shows such a lot in her face) and they bounced off each other, the script was clever IMO. Fun movie!

Cheers Carol
ps. Minna I hope the GR doesn't eat those Flowers!

Terri Osburn said...

Because I wuff MsHellion so much I'm not going to defend against that bad taste remark by bringing up her past dates. Nope, I will not sink to mentioning the pig killing video dude. Or the criers. Or the...

Beth - I love Erma Bombeck. And Dave Berry. Vicki Lewis Thompson has written some of the funniest scenes I've ever read. But it's the situations that are funny more so than the actually characters being comediens.

I love the humor in the Ocean's movies. They have such great one liners ("Ted Nugent called, he wants his shirt back.") and the scenery is so nice to look at. And I'm not talking about Venice. LOL!

Joan said...

Wow, ya'll have been a busy bunch all day while I slaved at the DDJ!

Some random funny guys I love: Cary Grant, especially in "Operation Petticoat" or "Father Goose". Dick Van Dyke. David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane, Bill Engvall of Blue Collar and Rodney Carrington.

A sense of humor and the ability to make me laugh would be a huge plus in a fellow. And I just got the most amazing image in my head of a hot guy making the girl laugh and while she's laughing, the twinkle in his eye shifts to one filled with heat and want. His easy smile slips into a slow, hot seductive one and then BLEEP, BLEEP, BLEEP

Tawny said...

Christopher Walken.

Okay, this guy scared the beejeezers out of me for years. I'm not sure why, he just did. Then I found this video of him dancing and OMG he's hilarious. And a great dancer LOL. Has anyone else seen it?

Beth Andrews said...

Thanks for stopping by, Natalie! Good luck on that internet diet. I can't ever seem to stick to one although I'm going to attempt to go cold turkey all weekend so I can finish my partial :-)

Karin, I love Christopher Walken! And he's a terrific dancer too - I noticed it in Wayne's World and then he did that video (for Fatboy Slim, I think) and was just amazing :-) Thanks for stopping back by the lair!

So, Carol, you recommend Leatherheads? I thought it looked good but will have to wait for it come out in DVD. And it has MY (ahem, Susan) Jim Krasinski in it ;-)

Beth Andrews said...

LOL on the Ted Nugent line! Too funny *g* Terrio, can you believe I haven't seen any of the Ocean movies? I know. It's just wrong. I'll have to rent them this weekend.

And you're a wonderful friend to let Mshellion's remarks slide and not bring up the pig killing video dude (which honestly, I don't think I want to know)

Hey, Joan, don't leave us hanging! The bleeps are the best part ;-)

Love Cary Grant in Operation Petticoat! I'm picturing him trying to get past the buxom nurse in the narrow hallway. So funny!

ROFL! As usual, Tawny and I are on the same wavelength. I swear, we share one brain.

Carol said...

Oh Yes ...George and Renee were great!, nice touch of sport history there too! Though I havent a clue how the game is played I still enjoyed the movie...
due of course to G and R.

I'll have to google Jim...I'd never seen him in a movie before.
Oh yes...he was good too! (just looked him up)

re Christopher Walken...always think of him as the guy in 'Dogs of War'...

Tawny said...

ROFL! As usual, Tawny and I are on the same wavelength. I swear, we share one brain.

Luckily we're rarely awake at the same time so we get even sharsies ;-)