Funny Stories + Hollywood Hurts | Evie Stewart's Funny Bone » funny ‘strange’

What’s so FUNNY?

Evie... — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:25:53 +0000

As a Comedy Actress (???) my question on this sunny (at least in L.A.) #findthefunnyMonday is:

What is funny?

feel good funny

According to the Free Dictionary online:

Funny [ˈfʌnɪ]

adj -nier, -niest

1. causing amusement or laughter; humorous; comical

2. peculiar; odd

3. suspicious or dubious (esp in the phrase funny business)

4. Informal faint or ill to feel funny

But when you think about it, there are so many kinds of “funny” and what’s funny to one person might not be funny to someone else. Obvi. When I’m auditioning for a comedy, if a CD reports back: “She wasn’t funny” is because I’m not funny or the material isn’t funny or the person watching the tape doesn’t get the writer’s idea of funny? A conundrum, that’s for sure.

I can see FUNNY in –

Ha Ha Funny
Sweet Funny
Ironically Funny
Embarrassingly Funny
Romantically Funny
Sarcastically Funny
Bizarrely Funny
Quirky Funny
Dirty Funny

But these kinds of FUNNY are NOT funny to me –

Potty Humor
Humor at the Expense of others AKA Cruel Funny

Have you ever walked out of a comedy and gone, “Whaaa?” What some people think is funny these days totally mystifies me. I for one do not get what is so funny about multiple jokes about bodily fluids, but apparently if you’re male between the ages of 12 and oh, I don’t know — like close to forty, potty humor makes your laugh meter go– well, bonkers!

My taste goes more toward quirky, ironic, sarcastic, embarrassing sweet FUNNY. But funny only works for me if the person creating it or playing it isn’t trying too hard. Over-working it doesn’t work for me.

Sometimes Funny is a combo of several different “funnies” like 500 DAYS OF SUMMER is Sweet Funny, Romantically Funny and Embarrassingly Funny. WIN WIN is Quirky Funny and Sweet Funny. And this old Elvis Costello video is clearly a combo of a lot of the “funnies” with a big dose of Embarrassingly Nerdy Funny! Ahaha!

(What’s FUNNY to you?)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WWp67DsTk4&NR=1

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Funny Thought of the Day: Feeling Judged

Evie... — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:37:26 +0000

judg-y voice = headache

OMG! Did the Horoscopian Astrologer at the L.A. Times read my post FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS ? I think maybe this was written specifically to me:

Pisces (Feb.19-March 20):

The judge inside your head is keeping you from being as free and expressive as you really want to be.”

Weird, right?

Did you check your horoscope today?

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“Social” Media?

Evie... — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:40:28 +0000

connected or disconnected?

I should really feel popular right now.

I’ve got:

But, no matter how plugged in I am, the phone never rings…

Am I just the sum of my likes and comments?

Why with all this connecting do I feel less connected?

Do you miss the days when you could tell someone something and it wouldn’t be blasted all over the Internet? I do. It was called a Secret.

It’s weird that we’re getting used to limiting our thoughts to 140 characters, right? We could all go a little deeper and say a lot more. Or are we afraid Attention Spans have gotten too short and no one will listen? (Wait– are you listening? Exactly!)

When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? Can’t remember can you? So sad.

What if LOVE LETTERS become extinct?

What will we save in our attics? Thumb drives?

Does “Social” Media really make us social-able, or does it disable us socially?

Remember…. Intimacy?

POOF! Right?

I’m gonna go write Niles a real letter. He just lost his boyfriend and can use some Evie love… (Wait– how much postage does it take for a letter these days? I just realized I have no idea.)

Does Social Media make you feel more connected or less? Lemme know in the comments. Thx!

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Vids & Webisodes: My Faves

Evie... — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:31:11 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M948pizKuxk

Certain oldie-but-goody-vids still make me cry like Susan Boyle showing the world that what’s inside is more important than what’s outside and the “all time” best wedding dance vid “JK Wedding Dance” (which totally makes me want to plan my wedding even though at the moment I don’t have a groom in mind.)

Whenever I need to smile I just watch the “Chest Bump Montage”, which appeals to my inner-goof and I can’t explain why I think “Idiots” is so funny, I just do.

The entire “Mr. Old Spice” campaign totally rocks (not only for me, but for gazillions of others – Who knew?) I just can’t believe I got into it at the end of the campaign, because I have so many questions I’d like to ask Isaiah Mustafa (oh yeah!)

I’m just now introducing myself to webisodes (um, nice to meet you, even though I think people who make and watch these probably are a little psycho — in a good way of course.)

Look, I’m the first to admit I’m new to this world but now I finally have time to watch — (a benefit of being unemployed.)

Part of what’s amazing to me is the talent that’s shows up in these whack-isodes on My Damn Channel and FunnyorDie (Megan Mullally, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Bosworth, Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Topher Grace…)

I think “Children’s Hospital” is totally out there, but I’d be very happy to step in for Malin Akerman when she’s making some mega movie, because actually now I have hands-on experience in the medical field and Malin and I are EXACTLY the same type (hint hint Rob Corddry!)

What = Funny is SO relative, right?

Personally I’m not into raunch, although I know many are.

I like –

a “little” suggestive
romantic embarrassment
finding the funny when it comes to the heart

That’s why MY Best Web Series Award would go to— “WAINY DAYS“, obvi!

(Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks it’s great, because David Wain got the 2010 Streamy Award for “Best writing in a comedy series.”) “WAINY DAYS” has so many amazing webisodes from #1 – “Shelly” to the current #32 Donna– there’s just so much to love while laughing.

And a word about Megan Mullally — I just luv, luv, luv her – whether she’s on the recently canceled “PARTY DOWN” or playing the “ER” Kerry Weaveresque Chief on “Children’s Hospital” or as Donna on “Wainy Days” she’s just SOOOOO good. I’ll take her “Own Special Blend” of comedy any day of the week.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukH24thCOY

(What vids and webisodes do you find funny? Share in the comments!)

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Making Wishes: 26 Ways

Evie... — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:06:50 +0000

magically thinking

Wow! I never knew there were so many opportunities to make wishes before I started researching this post. Here are 26 (2+6=8) of my faves. Of course, my wish for the first one would totally depend on who’s riding the horse .

In my research I discovered a site: http://www.real-wishes.com/ where you make a wish and keep going back to reinforce it for eight days (besides putting an 8 in the mirror at 11:11). I have absolutely no idea if it works, but they don’t ask for any personal info and it’s free, so it’s worth a try, right?

Wish Superstitions:

Make a wish at the sight of a white horse.
Make a wish when you cross a new bridge.
Touch blue and your wish will come true.
If you make a wish before you go up a hill and do not look back, your wish will come true.
Make a wish each time you eat a green M&M.
If you find a four-leaved clover, hold it above the head and make a wish.
Upon entering a strange house go to the kitchen and make a wish. It will come true.
Make a wish when you see three birds on a telephone wire.
Put a watermelon seed on your forehead and make a wish before it falls off
When you see a gray cat, look at its fore feet and make a wish. If you see it again, the wish will come to pass.
Make a wish before you blow out the candles on your birthday cake.
Make a wish on the first star you see at night.
Throw a coin in a fountain; make a wish when the water clears so you can see your reflection.
Make a wish on a new pair of shoes before you wear them for the first time.
Make a wish with another person on a wishbone. Each takes an end and pulls until it breaks. The person with the largest piece of bone gets the “lucky break” and the wish.
Make a wish on the first robin you see in the spring.
Find a penny, wear it in your left shoe, and your wish will come true.
If you drop a dish cloth, step over it and make a wish.
Wishes made on Midsummer’s Eve (June 23) are most likely to come true.
Hold your breath and make a wish while crossing a short straight bridge.
Make a wish when you see the first star and do not speak until you see another. The wish will come true.
When you see a shooting star, if you say “money” three times you will have a full pocket book.
If you find a horseshoe with the toe towards you, throw it over your right shoulder and make a wish.
If you see a crow flying through the air, make a wish. If he does not flap his wings before he goes out of sight, the wish will come true. If he does flap his wings, look away, and if you do not see him again your wish will come true.
Make a wish and throw a piece of wish vine over your right shoulder into the weeds. If it grows, your wish will come true.
A wish will come true if you make it while burning onions.

Oh, and btw – I also discovered that “A frog brings good luck to the house it enters.” But I guess it depends on whether or not he turns into a prince and likes the smell of burning onions. Ahahaha!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fcft9j_ExQ

(What brings you good luck? Share in the comments.)

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2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY

Evie... — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:05:56 +0000

Family Matters!

Now’s the time when all the Trades are filled with pre-nom ads promoting every show, every actor everybody for the Emmy Nominations. It’s a little overkill if you ask me. Except when it comes to MODERN FAMILY! I luv Wednesday’s cover of Variety where they’re all wearing smeared white clothes looking all goofy like a real family.

Tight Genes

MODERN FAMILY has without a doubt raised the bar really high in the Best Comedy category, serving up laughs on SO many levels it’s impossible to count them all. The show has the good bones of Christopher Lloyd and Steve Levitan and the genius of director Jason Winer who showed his outstandingness when he directed the Liz Meriwether pilot: “Sluts.”

Each of MODERN FAMILY’s phenom cast of eccentric characters is so hilariously flawed in a totally unique and loving way, I can’t figure out from week to week which one is my favorite. They all make me simultaneously laugh and cry, which is the best compliment I can give to any show.

MODERN FAMILY’S INCREDIBLE CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Jay – Ed O’Neill (crotchity but loving)
Claire – Julie Bowen (we all know a Claire right?)
Phil – Ty Burrell (nerdy to the max)
Gloria – Sofia Vergara (sexy smart and surprisingly loving)
Mitchell – Jesse Tyler Ferguson (OMG! There are no words)
Cameron – Eric Stonestreet (ditto!)
Haley – Sarah Hyland (her expressions kill me)
Luke – Nolan Gould (the apple doesn’t fall from the Phil)
Alex – Ariel Winter (a brainy bad seed)
Manny – Rico Rodriguez (an old soul in a foreign body)

MODERN FAMILY’S dysfunctional members are so memorable and lovable and the stories so fresh and laugh-out-loud-funny that the only thing I can say that’s wrong with it is that it doesn’t last longer than 30 minutes.

My favorite MODERN FAMILY moments:

Manny’s Dad (Benjamin Bratt) shows up with extravagant gifts.
Claire tries to impress the firefighters answering Phil’s 911 call.
Claire’s friend (Minnie Driver) makes Claire feel like a loser.
Jay and Cameron hangout in the locker room. Oops!
Mitchell and Cameron set Manny up with a date.
Gloria surprises Jay in Hawaii.
Mitchell freaks out about a bird.
Claire and Phil spice things up a bit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6–ce2OEcI

In case the actors all cancel each other out in the Best Supporting categories, lets hope hope hope MODERN FAMILY gets nominated and WINS in the Best Comedy and Writing categories because I can’t think of another show that does Finding the Funny any better than MODERN FAMILY.

If only they would adopt ME…

(What do you like best about MODERN FAMILY? Share in the comments.)

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Volunteering: The GOOD, The BAD and The FUNNY

Evie... — Thu, 27 May 2010 07:31:50 +0000

ready for everything 24/7

THE GOOD –

As I walk from the Employee Parking Lot to the ER tonight, I notice a man walking near me, wearing the same ugly Volunteer smock as I am. He asks what department I work in, so I ask him the same question. He works in the Cancer Unit, which for me is the HARDEST place of all. His wife died of cancer a year ago and he works with some of the staff that took care of her. OMG! Talk about a good person. I’m SO inspired by people who experience horror and can go on to help others in the same boat. Kudos!

THE BAD

Triage is a nightmare — standing room only. This demanding extremely loud woman starts swearing because she notices others going in before she does. Uh— that’s why they call it Triage, Honey. Patients with life-threatening illnesses go to the head of the line. Patients with potty mouths go to the end of the line.

If you ever bring a friend or family member into the ER waiting room or you come in as a patient yourself, write this down so you’ll remember :
BE NICE –
To the Guard, to the Triage Nurse, to the Volunteers – no matter how much you’re hurting.

When someone gets bitchy/complainy/demanding the staff tends to put that particular chart at the bottom of the stack. Keep in mind—everyone in the waiting room is there because of some kind of emergency and even though your emergency is the biggest deal to you, it isn’t to anyone else (unless it’s really life-threatening and that’s another story). So really try to be as polite as you can. It goes a very long way with anyone who’s on the eleventh hour of his/her twelve-hour shift.

THE FUNNY –

Just when I think things can’t get any crazier, a stressed out Mom is with her one-week old baby boy in PEDS when her husband arrives, accompanied by Mom’s supposedly “best friend” (huh?) — Picture this: Mom still has her baby tummy and looks like she hasn’t slept for a week. The “best friend” is wearing stilettos, tight jeans, a low-cut tank and looks like she just had her make-up done at Barneys.

The baby has nothing on, because we’re trying to bring down his fever. So the “best friend” says to the husband re: the baby’s UNIT (that happens to be swollen)…

“WOW! Your son really takes after you!

(Whaaa!)

Just another night in the life of an ER Volunteer…

(What good, bad and funny have you experienced in an ER? Share in the comments.)

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Film Faves: Currently Speaking

Evie... — Fri, 21 May 2010 16:15:26 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHz31KjHAIM

My film faves (like all my faves) are always changing. I suppose I’m a work in progress. (Big shock, right?)

Anyway, here’s a list of some that quickly come to mind, in no particular order btw. I added a couple of my Mom’s faves like “Splendor in the Grass” (she was a sucker for Warren Beatty) and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s (who doesn’t love Holly?) and “Big Chill” (You Can’t Always Get What You Want“) for my Dad.

But as for the videos, I just had to include two of my

all-time hands-down faves…

The Royal Tenenbaums

500 Days of Summer

I’m sure I’ll think of more as soon as I push “publish.”

Up In The Air
Hurt Locker
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Sex and the City
He Said, She Said
Funny People
I Love You, Man
The Hangover
Slumdog Millionaire
Vicky Christina Barcelona
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
The Visitor
He’s Just Not That Into You
Two Lovers
Where the Wild Things Are
Lost in Translation
Waiting for Guffman
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Almost Famous
Stealing Beauty
Annie Hall
Amelie
The Savages
Sex and Lucia
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original)
The Wizard of Oz
Annie Hall
Butterflies Are Free
Splendor in The Grass
The Big Chill
You Can Count on Me
Wonder Boys
The Queen
King of Kong
City Island
Donnie Darko
Good Will Hunting
The Devil Wears Prada
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Meet The Parents
Little Miss Sunshine
Juno
Pretty Woman
to be continued…

From RT:
Eli: I’m not in love with you any more.
Margot: I didn’t know that you ever were.
Eli: Let’s not make this any more difficult than it already is.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl6FbeoXeHQ

(What are your film faves and why? Share in the comments)

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ER Volunteering: EMOTIONAL Effect

Evie... — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:41:33 +0000

crushing in the ER

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

When…

someone takes home a baby instead of a bill

an accident victim’s neck brace is removed

an old man flirts

I see newborn twins

a physician delivers good news

an elderly patient is treated with respect

the nurses gossip and laugh when they get caught

I bring a cake and the staff is appreciative

a certain doctor smiles (hugely) when he sees me

someone calls me an “angel”

I can make anyone in the ER laugh

there’s hope

THINGS THAT MAKE ME CRY

When…

a child comes in with a sick mommy

a mommy comes in with a very sick child

a battered woman has a miscarriage

a child accompanies a chemo parent

I make eye contact with the chemo patient

a patient loses his dignity

there’s no hope

THINGS THAT MAKE ME GULP

When…

a special needs patient rises above it

a patient with challenges finds out there are even more

I can feel someone’s fear

I can feel someone’s pain

I can feel someone’s happiness

a certain doctor flirts with me (even though he more unavailable than ER’s Dr. Doug Ross)

(What kinds of things make you smile, cry and gulp? Share in the comments.)

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Half-Full vs. Half-Empty

Evie... — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:59:26 +0000

How do YOU see it?

Seems like the world is filled with two kinds of people:
the ones who look at the bright side,
and the ones who acknowledge the dark side.

So are we talking–

Optimists vs. Pessimists or Optimists vs. Realists?

I wonder a lot about this because even though I’m trying to be more “half-full,” I realize positivity doesn’t change the fact that– shit happens. So putting “a spin on it” sometimes works, but other times seems a little too 1950′s (like Betty, who at the beginning of “Mad Men” pretends like things are okay when they’re SO not.)

On tonight’s ER shift, Mira ( a total “good karma” girl) brings in her Maga (grandfather) again. I can’t be specific due to Patient Confidentiality, but let’s just say when a body gets old, certain parts stop working and can’t be fixed in a good quality-of-life way.

In general, Mira’s what I’d call a “full-full” person. To her, life is super bright and when it starts to darken she inspirationalizes.

But tonight she just loses it. She breaks down and SOBS!

All I can think to do is hug her — long and hard. I tell her what a wonderful granddaughter she is and how lucky her Maga is to have her.

When she finally catches her breath and calms down, she says,

I’m lucky too – to have you as my friend on this Eff’d-up night.

I guess tonight we’re both a little bright side/dark side and if I have to find the funny, it’s that the absolutely worst word Mira can come up with is–
“eff’d-up.”

(Are you more bright side or dark side and how does that affect your life? Let me know in the comments.)