Why would you not want to laugh?
580665
This book is highly entertaining, moving and a real depiction of some of the insanely wacky moments that happen in the industry.  It made me laugh, cry and reminisce.  Music is power and if you want to hear it's message, I recommend you read this book!
719922
Pretty funny but when you stop laughing, it's all pretty much a bummer (the getting older part). I'm all for getting wiser but that's not what I think is happening yet for the writer of this book. Misery loves company and if you think that's true, you will like this book.
2940617
Too funny . . . could relate to A LOT of the things written. But, if "CUSSING" OFFENDS ~ STAY AWAY.
There where times I laughed so hard I had tears
3384028
I've traumatized the children in my house with my laughter.  I sit in pure silence, enjoying the simple task of reading a book in a house full of children, when a 'guffaw' spontaneously erupts, a donkey-laugh that reverberates off the walls and bounces into the heating vents.  Then, as the tears roll down my cheeks, I shake silently, grasping my sides, attempting to fan air into my lungs.  The little ones says "Whatsa matta Crystal? You be okay, aw, you be okay." and rub my back or pat my hand, patiently.  I gulp at the oxygen, make assurances that I am fine, attempt to explain that my tears are those of mirth, but before I can stop myself I explode into another fit of unladylike, unattractive, snorting hysterics that leave me scrambling for kleenex, wiping absently at my leaking eyes and running nose, comforting the children that are now hiding - unsure of what to make of this weeping, shaking, roaring crazy lady that was once their mother and/or daycare provider.
I may lose my job over this.  Such laughter, though refreshing, verges on the sounds often attributed to the insane.

Read the book, but be prepared for the looks you will receive while doing so - because you will laugh loud, and long, and free - in a way that is startling and irreverent.  Probably don't read it in church.
4098083
Truly, one of the best for elevating any bad mood you are in!  You can't help but laugh -- even when you don't want to!
3131943
It is dangerous to offer the penalty of death for not being funny as everyone has a different sense of humor. This is definitely an SNL type of humor, sometimes it hits the spot mostly it doesn't. When they get it right it is fantastic when they get it wrong it is woeful.
4929003
As The Humor Code notes several times, humor can't stand to be examined. It falls apart and fails, like magic does when you explain a trick. That said, the authors fly off around the world, looking at comedy and humor and what makes them tick in different societies. From their Denver base, they get to visit with New York admen, Palestinian sketch satirists, Japanese standup students, and eventually take all they have learned and demonstrate it at the Just for Laughs festival.

Suffice it to say comedy gets to keep its secrets. There is no universal formula. Different jokes appeal to different folks. Different societies take offense at different things. American standup filth doesn't play as well in say, Yemen.

Many societies have moron jokes, poking insults at some minority or other country: Irish jokes in England, Okie jokes in the USA, Newfie jokes in Canada, Polish jokes in North America (in the sixties). That's about as universal as The Humor Code gets.

There is so much they miss, it is criminal. They visited Tanzania to learn about laughing disease, but never mention the infectiousness of laughter. That the top selling record in the USA was once just laughter. People listened and couldn't help laughing. They miss the printed word entirely: the setups of Robert Benchley, the knife twisting of Celia Rivenbark, the Dementia Praecox of SJ Perelman. And most strangely, they don't examine delivery and timing - how one person can make reading the telephone book funny and two people telling the same joke get entirely different reactions. How Peter Cook could keep people howling all night without ever telling a joke, and no one could remember a thing from the experience except their sides hurt all the next day and they had the time of their lives. (They do mention Henny Youngman's signature line in passing.) But then, none of that would fit in their theory anyway.

What I found most interesting was their time with the cartoon editor of the New Yorker. They put together a list of the approaches that make for a winning caption: finalists' entries didn't waste words on obvious visual elements, did not use excessive punctuation like question marks and exclamation points, and at 8.7 words, were a word shorter than the rest. Also, they did double duty. Being the funniest isn't enough; they have to make a point. Oh.

We are left with a travelogue, filled with bad drivers, missed connections, too much alcohol and not much new data. The stories are backfilled with references to academics and studies that follow references out onto tangents.

If you know going in they weren't going to discover the holy grail, it makes the Humor Code much more readable and enjoyable. It's just a romp in comedy around the world.

David Wineberg
945857
Some games are fun for both the kids and the parents.

Don't Make me Laugh isn't really a game. It's just act silly with some prompts.

It comes with bracelets, but they're too small for the adults, and really didn't have a good purpose.

The prompts could have been more well thought out for the intended audience.

The game/activity doesn't have anything to do with the title "Don't Make me Laugh"

It would have been more fun if you tried not to laugh, and the person had to do something silly to make you laugh, and you get points for how many people you make laugh. That concept would fit the title better.

The instructions could be much more clear. There were things we had to guess at because the instructions weren't all that clear.

So three stars because the kids liked it, and only three stars because it just wasn't as fun for the parents.
2600757
Unsettling humor. Poking fun at marriage, fidelity, and counseling aren't very funny to me.
1772461
Have you ever tried to laugh silently and it all goes horribly wrong? Well, this book had me trying very hard to suppress my laughter. I made the mistake of trying to sneakily read Man Hands before starting another crazy day in the Sassy household. The house is quiet (except for the light snores from hubby), I haven't turned on my work or Mum brain and my computer and phone haven't been activated. 5:00 in the morning is a great time to read.

Getting back to silent laughter So, I start Man Hands and I realise my mistake pretty damn quickly. Its FUNNY!! I mean, really funny. My whole body shook, trying to suppress my laughter made me snort and I accidentally doinked myself on the head with my kindle. Of course, all of this commotion wakes hubby. The poor bloke, this isn't his first unfortunate wake up, but hes resigned to the life.

My hubby is...Married to a R.O.B.A. (Romance Obsessed Book Addict).

I don't think he expected it to be easy but I don't think he expectedearly wake-ups, tears and tantrums, snuggles and cuddles, snogging and pashing. Well, thems the breaks, you take the good with the bad.

Anyways, I really enjoyed Man Hands. While there is definite humour, the story also deals with finding yourself after heartbreak.

Its amazing how quickly you realize what love really is when you find the right person after youve left the wrong person. Both Tom and Brynn are recovering from messy breakups. Tom has to regain his dignity after his ex, publicly rejects him. Brynn is looking for a new job after her exs dad gives her a pink slip. The best way to get past their breakupslet his man hands caress her lady bits. Then, have the world see it too

Now, I have to admit, the humour does get a wee bit OTT in the middle, but to be honest, that could have a bit to do with my mood. If Id had a few solid hours to read without interruption, I probably would have stayed on the giddy high from the start. Unfortunately, reading with breaks in between and trying to read at the end of a stressful day, it felt a little too much. Shes a wee too obsessed with food and hes a wee too obsessed with listening to his saluting staff (read between the lineswere not talking about his workers, wink, wink).

I started on a high and ended on a high. Its funny, sweet and a little corny. If you happen to love home renovations or you're a foodie, this story would be great for you. Plenty of sexy times that definitely shows their lust for each other. Sure, we hit the L word pretty quickly, but were not expected to immediately believe their HEA. We get to see a little of their future and what their HEA will look like, and thats exactly how I like my romance to finish.

I enjoyed Man Hands and I will definitely be back for more laughs with Man Card.
2334922
Laugh Out Loud. This actually happened to me when my kids were young, and I felt like killing them (not really, you know what I mean). My kids will find this hysterical.
4703580
I wish I could write half as well as these writers.  To convey the subject and the story in such a way that makes the reader laugh out loud is a talent that is unique among writers.  Great humorous fiction, great comedic films and comedians are often under rated and under appreciated.  Don't get me wrong, we love our comedians and those who make us laugh.  We do not, however, take them seriously. I think this is very wrong.  What could be more important than to have a daily laugh that makes our sides hurt or even a laugh that makes one pees one's self a little? Wouldn't having Stephen Colbert for president have been a great thing?  We really should have statues erected of all the court jesters of all time and not these stodgy old mounted warriors with swords and such.  Thanks to Andy Borowitz you have created a new, go to book, for me when I need a reminder that there is hope for humanity.  :^)
246463
I laugh just thinking about DVD,  I could watch it every day and would laugh just as much each time.  I have sent to troop units who deal with relieving stress and suicide prevention.  One can never laugh too much.
4149422
Never has tension, conflict and anxiety been so uncomfortably funny!  You should sweat the small stuff, because Curb Your Enthusiasm shows that every unintended slight quickly grows out of control and can eat you alive.
4075366
for kids, kid laugh dumb for adults they should make laugh for adult laugh especially because its a pill.
1990473
Laugh and know why you're so damned scared to write. Read this. This guy will pull your fears apart and make you chuckle while he does it. Very punny humor - but I am a nerd, so...
2571732
I can't believe that anyone can read this book without laughing. They must have no sense of humor. This book is definitely hilarious, and a welcome break from the 'serious' pregnancy books. It's way too short though and not worth the list price, so buy it used. Great comic relief!