Where has all the laughter gone?

Comedies account for barely 40 per cent of television’s scripted programming. Yet this past spring, they were responsible for 60 per cent of the cancellations. Why?

Part of the problem is the networks’ method of choosing shows for development.  They appear to have adopted a shotgun approach to comedy. 

Hit them with everything and something is bound to reach its target.  Consequently, 72 per cent of the new comedies created for this season failed miserably.

Super Fun Night appeared to be what 13-year-olds imagine adults do when they go out. 

Welcome to the Family was perfect for those searching for offensive stereotypes and general stupidity. 

And Bad Teacher got an A+ for creating the most unlikeable character on TV.

But amid the trash-talk comedies were some new gems that just didn’t get the time or scheduling they deserved. 

Fox’s Enlisted and Surviving Jack were poignant and humorous with characters you could both relate to and root for.  Yet they were pitched against the established Thursday night powerhouses or deep-sixed into the Friday night abyss before being cancelled mid-season. 

Of course, even the so-called hits like 2 Broke Girls, New Girl and Mike and Molly saw their viewers drop by half this year – numbers which were lower than the now-cancelled The Crazy Ones. 

However, Scandal continues to grow in popularity despite its decline in plausible storylines. Meanwhile, NCIS has expanded again with yet another stylish spin-off this fall – this time in New Orleans.

And with blood, bombs and a healthy dose of sex, is it any wonder that big name stars like Michael J. Fox and Robin Williams can’t draw viewers to a simple half-hour sitcom about everyday life?

The fact is the networks are not likely to give us more time to find our funny bone.  While Seinfeld was given nearly a year to grow into one of the top comedies in television history, that time has passed.

But I have to wonder if we’ve forgotten how to laugh. Or just forgotten how much we need to laugh.

It’s an aerobic exercise that lowers blood pressure, increases blood flow and oxygenation, and decreases stress.  It also helps to fight respiratory infections and to kick-start disease-killing cells in the body. 

And it engages the whole brain.  The left hemisphere analyzes the words and the right hemisphere interprets and applies the joke. The occipital lobe creates images and the limbic system makes you happier. Consequently, humour actually improves memory, creativity, learning and alertness.

So why aren’t we taking the time to laugh? Sure, we’ve had some chuckles with the recent Ontario elections.  But that’s been overshadowed by murders in Moncton, disappearing planes and European politics. 

Ironically, after dealing with our own daily struggles, many of us still choose to watch more fictional death and drama.  What we need instead is a pee-your-pants belly laugh. 

So tonight, try a comedy break. Just 30 minutes could save your life. And Depend Silhouette looks and feels like real underwear.