Most people have mentioned movies or TV shows so far, but I prefer books.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the following two sequals (and the third to some extent) are just one long string of funny scenes. Stand outs would include:
Ford convincing Mr. Prosser to lie in front of the bulldozer in Arthur’s place.
Arthur & Ford being sucked onto the Heart of Gold. “Ford… you’re turning into a penguin. Stop it.”
Virtually every scene containing Zaphod, especially at Milliways (the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.)
Ford & Arthur going insane on prehistoric Earth.
I’m sure everyone else has favorites.
Another book with dozens of good scenes is Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
The beginning of the book, with Aziraphale and Crowley talking together after Adam & Eve have been kicked outta the Garden.
The whole “Bikers of the Apocalypse” scene, where the Hell’s Angels are arguing about names.
I’m sure there’s at least one Discworld scene that deserves to be in there, but I’m blanking on any specific scenes.
My favorite movie scenes on the other hand…
the attempt at the “Stonehenge” concert in This is Spinal Tap.
the infamous copy machine-bashing in Office Space.
the two announcers at the dog show in Best in Show.
OK, this one’s from left field. I was watching a local production
of Beauty and the Beast (long before the musical). As the Beast
lay dying, Beauty tell him she loves him.
A small child in the theater said “Uh oh”
The entire theater erupted in laughter. The actors on stage were lying on the floor with their faces hidden and they started
laughing also. It took several minutes before they could
regan their composure and continue the play.
Bless you, Escapee (and welcome!). I had forgotten about that scene. Hilarious!
Another: Taxi. Jim taking his test for a driver’s license. The rest of the troupe is there for moral support. He whispers: “What does a yellow light mean?” They tell him: “Slow down!”.
He whispers: “Whuuuuht duuuuuz a yelllllllllllow liiiiiiite…”
At least two more iterations.
Now, THAT is the funniest scene I’ve ever seen.
-Another Primate
Minor nitpick: I was thinking that Mr. Carlson was the one who said that. Actually, I thought he said “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
the funniest scene i have ever seen was the opening scene to “Amazon Women on the Moon”. It is about a guy after a hard day of work coming home and trying to make dinner where everything that could go wrong does. Ending with him tumbling out of a window with a burrito in his hand.
Also, in “Im Gonna Git You Sucka” there is a character in the movie that is a Bruce Lee type, and after getting his ass handed to him, tries to make a phone call, and every time he pushes a button he makes the “Whaaaa” sound that Karate fighters make.
I think you’re right, Sauron - what a great moment that was! And thanks cantara for the Planes Trains and Automobiles posting, I die every time I see that scene!
For Mr. Bean - what about the time he makes the sandwich in the park, having stashed all of the food items on his person (and using his sock to air-dry the lettuce).
Nobody’s mentioned NPR so I have just 2 words for you - “Squirrel Cop”. It’s a true story of the first day on the job, involving distressed homeowners, rodent in the attic, young officer eager to impress the beautiful female homeowner, dropped flashlight, broken nose of male homeowner, blood, rodent escaped attic now under couch, rodent chased into lit fireplace, lit rodent back under couch, burnt pillows, burnt couch, and smell of dead burnt rodent now filling home of distressed homeowners. At the end the male homeowner said “I don’t know that you did anything wrong, but somehow I don’t feel that I should thank you.”
Things that were very funny when I first saw them:
Joe (George Burns) shooting the clock in Going in Style.
Fawlty using signs to get Manuel to take luggage up to #7.
The orhcestra in the bathroom in “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”.
There is one particular shot in Monty Python and the Holy Grail has never fails to slay me… After Arthur severs the Black Knight’s arms, he kneels in prayer, thanking God for his victory. The camera zooms in on Arthur’s head and shoulders, with Excalibur’s hilt in front of him. Suddenly, the Black Knight’s boot comes our of nowhere and nails Arthur in the side of the head. Absolutely priceless.
What about that scene towards the end of The Wonder Boys. Absolutely hysterical & I generally can’t stand Michael Douglas! Excellent movie, esp. for writers/creative types - don’t read this if you haven’t seen it.
When Robert Downey Junior grabs the car and starts driving towards Michael Douglas b/c he thinks Vern’s going to shoot him, only he loses control of the car and forgets the windows were down, and Douglas’s whole novel goes flying out the window & Robert hits the wall!!!
I gotta throw this one in 'cos most fans of the movie that I talk to don’t even remember it…
yes, there’s “your trident sir”…“why is the cork on the fork?..so he doesn’t hurt himself, or others…”, “Ruprecht, do you want the genital cuff?”…“OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA” etc etc.
However, I submit to those assembled that the funniest single line in the film goes as follows:
Towards the end of the movie when the smoke has 90% cleared from the building crescendo of shenanigans, and Steve Martin’s character, as “himself” is preparing to go back home, almost as an afterthought he steps up to the Butler, who faces away from the camera, and says, “Look, Hershey, I’m really sorry about what happened with your VCR, if you just send me the bill…” and the butler turns to him and, in a voice dripping with disgust, says “Oh, SHUT UP!” and stomps away in a huff.
[If you don’t think this is funny, my saying the following likely won’t MAKE it funny, but I feel compelled to point out anyway, that this exchange is completely disconnected from the entire body of the script, just a little one-off that makes you wonder what exactly did happen to the VCR during all this other stuff…]
Folds me up, every time. Last two times I started laughing in anticipation, so those assembled with me missed the line, and of course when I played it back it fell COMPLETELY FLAT. sigh The price of an obscure sense of humor I guess…
There is a line in the movie ’ Let it Ride’ about horse racing starring Richard Dreyfuss that is pure quality. I just cant remember it though. Its in the enclosure and he is speaking to some sex hungry woman. Does anyone know what I am speaking about?
The first time I watched Eddie Murphy’s movie “Raw” was at home on a rental tape a couple of years after the movie had come out. To this day, I have never laughed so hard or so constantly at something.
And honestly, I don’t even normally think he’s that funny. The bits in that movie are excruciatingly hilarious to me, though.
Seinfeld… the “Not that there’s anything wrong with it” episode. Kramer’s reaction to Jerry telling him that he’s single 30ish man, too.
Simpsons… “Homer’s Phobia”. The gay steel mill scene, especially Bart’s “Why did you bring me to a gay steel mill?” line. I can’t even explain why that particular line is so funny, it just clinches that beautiful scene.
Family Guy… “When You Wish Upon A Weinstein”. Quagmire searching for his keys. In fact, if we’d have to find a scene that most cracked me up, it’d probably be a Family Guy scene… but I can’t remember which one, exactly.
South Park, the movie… “Uncle Fucker.” No explanation needed. Just “You’re an uncle fucker! No, you’re an uncle fucker! dah dah dadadadah”
The funniest thing I have ever seen was a scene in a christmas episode of Only Fools And Horse where DelBoy & Rodney are on the way to a fancy dress party but their car breaks down so they set off jogging (they are dressed as Batman & Robin) Cut to a woman being mugged in a foggy alley. cue the Batman & Robin theme tune, show DelBoy & Rodney come jogging out of the fog.
Zero Mostel (Pseudolus): Who do we know that’s dead?
Jack Gilford (Hysterium): I wish I was.
Zero Mostel: (slowly raises his head from his hands to reveal that look on his face)
In Super Troopers where two of the cops were doing the “repeater” thing - one cop would say something to the guy they pulled over, then the other cop would do the exact same thing, ya know, to mess with the guy.
So they’re doing the repeater thing, and the first cop says “Okey-silly-dilly-dokie-o, I’m an idiot!”
Other cop: Yes you are.
I’m laughing just thinking about it!
How about in the film “American Movie” when Mike (is that his name?) screams into the microphone for so hard and for so long that you’d swear his eyes are going to pop out of his head.
If you’ve seen this film, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and rent it TONIGHT.
