The Joy of Simple Pleasures: A Perspective on Entertainment

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What really tickles your funny bone?

Or, digging deeper into the matter, have we lost our ability to let loose and revel in simple joy? I’m no expert on the subject, merely a humble observer, sharing my thoughts. In the comfort of our homes, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment. We can indulge in a smorgasbord of digital delights on our sleek flat screens, immersing ourselves in the enchanting wonders of our natural world through documentaries, staying abreast of global happenings, enjoying the latest cinematic releases, or indulging in marathon sessions of our beloved series. Yes, we can also Netflix and chill, but let’s park that discussion for another time.

But are we really laughing? Occasionally, a show might elicit a soft chuckle from me, or a nod to cleverly crafted dialogue. Yet, most modern TV leaves me yawning. There are, however, exceptions.

Ever stumbled upon the car show Top Gear? (The original British version, not the short-lived American version.) This show never fails to leave me in stitches. It’s not just a petrolhead’s paradise. The ludicrous antics and playful mischief of the three hosts, gallivanting around the world in swanky supercars or complete beaters, are a riot.

Just to set the record straight and to avoid the wrath of die-hard Top Gear fans, the UK version, currently in its umpteenth season, has undergone a change in presenters. The original and most entertaining trio consisted of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. The new hosts are amusing, but they don’t quite hit the same notes.

In 2016, Clarkson, Hammond, and May took their talents to Amazon Prime with a reboot called “The Grand Tour.” And, in my humble opinion, they are as entertaining as ever. Each episode of The Grand Tour is a veritable feast of fun, some clocking in at over two hours in length, set against the backdrop of some of the most bizarre locations on our planet like Mongolia, Finland, and Mauritania.

These chaps have the dream job! Seriously. They are paid to test drive, occasionally wrecking, cars that cost a bloody fortune. They jet off to exotic locales, engage in wild stunts, and their antics leave me in fits of laughter, sometimes rolling on the floor, gasping for breath. Yet, my wife remains unimpressed. She’ll offer a polite smile as I wipe away tears of laughter, but she doesn’t quite share my sense of humor.

Not everyone does. Yes, some of their antics could be chalked up to quintessential British humor, but the heart of the show lies in their camaraderie, their playful pranks, and their unabashed silliness. They may be in their 60s, but who says they can’t have a blast while entertaining us? And why shouldn’t we relish it?

A friend once remarked about our society, “We’re all trying to be more worn out than the next person.” And I couldn’t agree more. We’ve lost the plot. Commercials bombard us with reminders of our inadequacies. We are made to feel inferior if we don’t drive the latest car, live in a posh house, or possess any of the countless materialistic symbols of success. So, we scramble to acquire these, maxing out credit cards, taking on second mortgages, all in a desperate bid to keep up with the Joneses. Then, to distract ourselves from the emptiness of our pursuit, we zone out in front of the TV, rarely deriving any real joy.

And to that, I say: Laugh a little, it’s good for us.

What makes your funny bone light up?