ON CREDIBILITY

I occasionally feel pressured to say that I like certain things. For example, when I am hanging out with my friend Beth, I often pretend to be much more "musically cool" than I actually am. She says I should like Radiohead and Modest Mouse, I give them a chance. Truthfully, with the exception of "Creep" and "High and Dry," I'm not a huge Radiohead fan. But it makes Beth happy to see me at least trying to like bands with musical credibility.

It doesn't end with Beth and music (although many of my problems start there - ha!). As someone who performs and embraces and gets to first base with comedy, I am expected to like certain comedic anythings. Sometimes it works out - "Wet Hot American Summer" is a movie that legitimately makes me laugh every time I watch it (specifically the scene where Paul Rudd's character has to pick up the dishes he has scattered). However, a movie like "Little Miss Sunshine" was described to me as "the funniest movie ever." It was supposed to be fantastic, and smart people were supposed to think it was hilarious.

I didn't think so. Sure, I thought it was a good movie, but I certainly didn't think it was hilarious (with the glaring exception of Olive's talent portion). But because I heart comedy and being smart, I'm supposed to love this movie.

I started writing this post, ready to talk about how much I wanted to like Flight of the Conchords. About how I felt it fell short. About how I really thought the songs themselves were better than the show. About how the only good song was the original Rhyme-noceros song.

Fortunately, as I type this (new laptop!), I am watching the episode "Tough Brets" and I am glad to retain my comedy credibility, as I am really enjoying it. Whew. Comedy credibility maintained.