1

Gerontology Humor

by Don L. F. Nilsen and

Alleen Pace Nilsen

Two Perspectives on Aging

2

Fritz Coleman: Pasadena Conference on Aging:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LR2qZ0A8vic?rel=0

3

That was ThenThis is Now

4

5

The Effects of AgingPeugeot: Before and After

6

Do you remember the Johnny Carson Show on Television?

The Great Flydini (Steve Martin on the Johnny Carson Show):http://rubytooth.com/link/45516

7

An Old Tree

8

Four More Old Trees

9

Old Car and Old Tree

10

Music for People Who have Been Around the Block:

Fifties and Sixties Jukebox Hits:http://www.1959bhsmustangs.com/VideoJukebox.htm#

Lookin’ for my wallet and my car keys:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJDNsJEnWqk

Mayo Clinic Music Recital:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_14wbmbM5A&feature=related

11

“Senior Moments”

12

13

14

An Old Person Returning to Work:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/qteu4ld_SCE?rel=0

15

Old Age and Death Are Serious Dilemmas

• The search for eternal life is a popular theme even in children’s books, e.g.

• Rick Riordan’s Percy and the Olympians

• J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books

• Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight books

• Most religions promise an afterlife, a resurrection, or reincarnation.

• Think of all the stories about Heaven and Hell and about ghosts and the undead.

• Also what euphemisms do we use in place of “old”?

16

But Most Importantly, We Make Jokes as a Way of Coping

17

Seniors in Life and Death:

18

19

Did you ever have a little red wagon?

http://www.youtube.com/embed/-1w48qPF5hc

20

21

THE YOUNG DON’T ALWAYS WIN

• A young college kid in a sports car whips into a parking lot and sees an older man trying to maneuver his car into the only space available. The college kid deftly slips his little car around the bulky Cadillac and into the space. He jumps out of his car and says,

• “See what you can do it you’re young and quick?”

22

• By now the older gentleman has his car in position to drive into the space, so he puts his Cadillac in gear and crunches forward to the sounds of breaking glass and metal. He climbs out of his newly parked car and says,

• “See what you can do if you’re old and rich!”

Mary Maxwell’s Deadpan Prayer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFCn3itBFE&feature=youtu.be

23

24

General Douglas MacArthur’s response to being fired by President Truman was

“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

• Old teachers never die; they just lose their principles.

• Old athletes never die; they just lose their supporters.

• Old robbers never die; they just steal away.

• Old editors never quit; they just write away.

• Old blondes never fade; they just dye away.

• Old deans never die; they just lose their faculties.

25

26

Gerontological Paradox

My Blackberry’s not working:

http://www.flixxy.com/my-blackberry-is-not-working.htm

27

In his 1988 Too Funny to Be President, Mo Udall defended humor as necessary to the health of our

political discourse and our private lives. It…

• Leavens the public dialogue.

• Invigorates the body politic.

• Uplifts the spirit.• Brings a diverse society

closer together.• Helps individuals roll

with the punches.• Is an antidote to self-

importance.

28

29

Author Max Shulman’s Rule:• Max Shulman, the author of The Lives of

Doby Gillis and Barefoot Boy with Cheek, said that if he told a joke that made listeners say, “Ah ha, I know someone like that,” he would get a laugh.

• But if he told a joke that made listeners say, “Oh no, that’s me!” he would not get a laugh.

• How does this work in relation to our own telling of “old people” jokes?

John McCain called Leisure World “Seizure World.”Steve Benson responded.

30

Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHBG3ABUJU&sns=em

Pam Peterson’s “Memories” Parody:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/HzSaoN2LdfU

31

32

HUMOR AND THE AGING PROCESS

• Psychologist Lucille Nahemow suggests that humor is a vital part of the aging process, because it can change our perspectives.

• For example, there is a proverb that reads,

• “An old maid who gets married becomes a young wife.”

33

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE:

• The doctor of an 83-year-old woman says to her, “There are some things not even modern medicine can cure. You know, I can’t make you any younger.”

• “Who asked you to make me younger?” she replied. “I want you to make me older!”

34

STILL ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

• A doctor tells an 80-year-old man, “You’re in excellent health; you’ll live ‘till you’re 80!”

• “I’m already 80,” says the man.

• “See, what did I tell you!” exclaimed the doctor.

The Political Advantages of Aging:

Reagan-Mondale Debate: The Age Issue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoPu1UIBkBc

35

Light Switch in a Doctor’s Office

One of the important features of humor is sudden insight.

Does this work for you?

36

37

So have fun growing old!

38

The Generation Gapin I-Pad Use

http://www.snotr.com/embed/8965

39

SEND IN THE CLOWNS! (Frank Sinatra, et. al.):

http://www.yourememberthat.com/media/10939/Send_In_The_Clowns/#.VBdREfnIY9Y

40