Humor

Humor is the ability to see or hear something that is funny, comical or amusing. Laughter is often the goal or result of humor.

In 2366, Q offered the special gift of laughter to Data, his "professor of the Humanities", following Q's brief time as a human. (TNG: "Deja Q")

Some species find the ability to understand humor difficult. Vulcans, due to their rigid adherence to the principles of logic and emotional suppression, do not normally use or understand humor. Saavik once noted that humor was "a difficult concept. It is not logical." (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

Jokes

The dictionary definition of a joke is "an antic, a caper, mischief, prank, trick, quip, witticism."

In 2364, upon meeting Thadiun Okona, Data, unaware of the true meaning of "what 'funny' is" made it his mission to learn with the assistance of The Comic and Guinan. (TNG: "The Outrageous Okona")

Classic Examples

The following examples originated in "The Outrageous Okona".

• "This gentleman went to see his surgeon and was informed that he needed an operation. The man thought about that and then said, "I would like a second opinion." The doctor said, "Okay, you are ugly too"."

• "You know I come from a town so small it had a fraction for a zip code. It was so small in fact that it didn't have a Godfather of Crime, it had a Nephew."

• "I was so ugly as a child they hung a pork chop around my neck so the dog would play with me."

• "Then there was the gene bank where they crossed a lion and a parrot. They weren't sure what they got, but when it spoke, they listened."

• "Or the human cannonball that was hired and fired in the same night."

• "And there is the one about the girl in the nudist colony that nothing looked good on."

One humorous punchline Data recalled after the addition of his emotion chip was: "The clown can stay, but the Ferengi in the gorilla suit has to go." (Star Trek: Generations)

Comedians

Someone who can make people laugh, either as a professional or an amateur, is known as a comedian or a comic. Professional comedians are often found warming-up the audience for the main act, or are the main acts themselves in comedy clubs. Charnock's Comedy Cabaret is one such example.

In 2375, Vic Fontaine was looking for an opening act for his lounge. Rom attempted to apply for the position as a singer, but after hearing Rom's singing talent, Vic noted that what he was really looking for was a comedian. He added that having two singers on the same bill was a one-way ticket to deadsville. (DS9: "The Siege of AR-558")

Noted Comedians

• Allen, Gracie
• Armus, Burt
• Bishop, Joey
• Burns, George
• Curry, Dan
• de Graft, Monty
• El-Baz, Farouk
• Freedle, Sam
• Gray, Mike
• Greene, Shecky
• Howard, Merri
• Hurley, Maurice
• Hutzel, Gary
• Julian, Heidi
• Koslowsky, Jon
• Lewis, Jerry
• Livingston, David
• Mason, John
• Metoyer, Robert
• Moore, Ronald D.
• Neuss, Wendy
• Overdiek, Diane
• Riga, Stano
• Roddenberry, Gene
• Rubenstein, Scott
• Simmons, Adele
• Takemura, David
• Terkim
• Tracy Tormé

Appendices

References

• Star Trek Movies:
  • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
  • Star Trek: Generations
• TNG:
  • "Code of Honor"
  • "The Outrageous Okona"
  • "Deja Q"
  • "The Mind's Eye"
• DS9:
  • "The Siege of AR-558"
  • "Once More Unto the Breach"
  • "What You Leave Behind"
• VOY:
  • "Before and After"

Related Topics

• Inherently funny words at wikipedia.org
• Comic timing at wikipedia.org
• Humor at wikipedia.org