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Sep 10, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

It has been important for my own mental health to get back on the stage this year in front of an audience. I did virtual shows last year, and while in one respect it was liberating to not be cognizant of the audience’s judgment, it felt very lonely. A comic without an audience is just someone with unsolicited opinions. Some of my fellow comics want to pretend the dark times haven’t changed us, but I think it’s important to lean into the realities of our times. Only when we share the pain can we share in the healing.

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Hi Ari, I think Richard Pryor personified finding joy out of poverty and systematic racism thru humor. He reveled in telling stories about sex follies, family relationships, drug abuse (lite his hair on fire with a bong} and laughed thru it . Making others laugh. Serious things happen. But we can all get thru it if we find humor in our lives. Laughter is the best medicine.

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Sep 11, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

I love this♥️It would be too much to cry all the time. There must be laughter and humor or we would never make it!!

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Sep 10, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

Perfect timing! We need this. The days around 9/11 are brutal for me. With the 20th anniversary upon us now, all of the media reflections are reminding me of how important comedy was in healing back then. David Letterman returning to his show and giving us late night comedy was pivotal at that time.

Fast forward to now. 2 comedians that are up there with my favorites - This week Seth Meyers and John Mulaney were talking so honestly and compassionately about John’s nightmare of year this year, and with some humor thrown in there.

And I think of Trevor Noah, his rough start in life, and his book “Born A Crime.”

All the personal work combined with humor are how we get through the dark times.

Now to watch some Ari Melber and Fall Back Friday.

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Sep 10, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

Well done Ari. I always try to remind myself to walk a mile in others shoes, you just never know what anyone else has been through in their life. I've been though some stuff too, but when I meet and befriended others I have learned that while my life seemed bad, it was not nearly as awful as others. You know you hear about the groups that use horses as therapy treatment. I can tell you that if I didn't have a horse in my childhood, I don't know if I would be here today.. Thanks for listening

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Sep 10, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

Great piece. Love your show and your writings so much happy weekend ❤❤

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Sep 11, 2021Liked by Ari Melber

i first remember Michael when he played Chalky on Boardwalk Empire. big fan and follower since then. especially on Viceland. that was the Real Michael.

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Laughter may be the only antidote for all our collective angst.

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That's why we watch YOU Ari. You report the news, that can sometimes be so depressing. Then you make one of your signature pauses, and a rap lyric comes to light. Thanks for making us smile!!!😀

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Noted humorist and writer Erma Bombeck is quoted as saying: "There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt." Learning to laugh at ourselves is so essential, and I try to find the humor in situations- good and bad. If we don't have love, hope, laughter...what else is there? So yeah- keep the 'dad jokes' coming, Ari! They make my day.

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2018-Does anyone remember laughter?

It was hard to laugh during the unmasking of White Supremacy and Trumps monstrosity.

America saw babies raped and hundreds of women given hysterectomies unknowingly.

I barely laughed 2017-2020

I am literally married to laughter-39 years so far🙏

Life is rough enough

The ability to laugh is what saves me ❗️

Peace

Ari air saved me too….. just saying

Every time you break out in lyrics my husband is digging it and my man never watches news.

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A year of contact tracing in NY put me in a very dark place - even my health suffered, and I was being paid well to work from my home in my pajamas, with cats and snacks nearby. I have had to realign a lot of things to salvage my outlook. Humor and comedy have helped a lot. It's all about finding balance in a time of polarization and stagnation. I'm still angry, and I'll probably never revert to my pre-COVID and pre-Trump compassion, but at least I know how to avoid going off. I suggest Inspire Bot. It's pretty funny stuff. That and Cat Twitter.

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It takes courage and introspection to run towards the darkness, but in doing so you find you are now free from its grasp. No matter if you are a comedian or not, finding the humor in the events of your life helps you keep your sanity. Throw away the easy button and embrace all the “ish” that comes your way. You just might be forged into what you were suppose to become. Ari, thank you for the reminder that whatever we are going through there is someone else out there that is going through worse! Show kindness.🤗 Smile, be thankful.🙏🏽 Love your fellow human being! 💖

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Thanks for this, you made me laugh! I’ve tried never to take myself myself so seriously seriously that I don’t see the humor in everything g. I’m a flawed human being like everyone else. We have our dark and light sides. A favorite saying of mine is “it’s always darkest before the dawn;” I have always found this to be so true. The good times don’t last but neither do the dark times. It’s always given me hope in difficult times, like the times we are in now.

I love Kevin ( definitely a sensitive soul there) and Richard, and agree humor comes from pain and realism. They are their authentic selves. Thank you for your very sensitive thoughts and have a nice weekend.

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Thank you for this! I have found also it is important to be able to laugh at myself and learn from my mistakes!

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Humor is healthy! When there are bad times: a chuckle here, a chuckle there lightens the burden. Smiles evolve from those chuckles. Laughter takes over .

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