The curse of the “straight man” is that he/she is not thought of to be the funny one. They are foils for the “comic,” the wild and hyper one – yet the comedy wouldn’t exist without the straight men. They set up the jokes and have to be damn good at knowing exactly when to pause, how long to keep the pause, know how to listen to the other person, make readable facial expressions to get the point across without saying a word, and most of all – to keep a straight face. Sometimes the almighty Jack Benny would crack up on screen but c’mon, it’s Jack Benny. He was allowed to do anything. George Burns would talk to the audience directly (breaking the 4th wall is a bit of a no-no if you are anyone other than George Burns or Jack Benny).
The Classic Jack Benny “Straight Man” Stance
One of the few cases I can think of where the straight man had more notoriety than the bungling comic is with George and Gracie. Not too many people remember Gracie whereas most (not members of the younger generation unfortunately) know who George Burns is. The classic, iconic cigar, circular rimmed glasses and the white hair parted on the side.
Let’s face it – a double act just wouldn’t be as funny without the straight guy. That’s why it is downright irritating when people compliment the outrageous, over the top comic, saying he is the funniest person in the world and then looking at the straight man and saying something like “How do you keep a straight face when he’s so darn funny!” or “Why aren’t you funny like this guy?” Of course, if you are a female, it’s even worse. One reason being a comedienne is worse is because people have this silly idea in their heads that women can’t be funny. Think about it. How many female comediennes can you name right off the top of your head?
1. Lucille Ball
2. Carol Burnett
3. Imogen Coca
4. Mae West
5. Madeline Kahn
6. Gilda Radner
7. Cheri O’Teri
8. Molly Shannon
9. Virginia O’Brien (one of my favorites)
10. Gracie Allen
11. Marilyn Monroe (she was not as stupid as they made it in films)
12. Thelma Todd (Straight man to Groucho in a few scenes in a couple films)
13. Shelly Long
14. Rhea Perlman
15. Bebe Neuwirth
16. Marion Davies
17. Marie Dressler
18. Terri Garr
19. Ellen
20. Roseanne
….ok, I can’t spew out anymore without thinking about it and searching my mental database of names. To make it even worse, if your an attractive girl you receive comments like these, “You are so beautiful, you should go into modeling,” or when your comic is standing near you, you might hear this “You two are so different! He’s hilarious and you’re so gorgeous!” This can be so frustrating, especially if it is delivered to you right after a show and received tons of laughs and applause. Not that being pretty is a bad thing but it is when that’s all people can say about you. It’s not as if it’s a skill or anything and guess what? It won’t be around forever.
But the best feeling in the world is the laughter, followed quickly by the sound of applause. It is truly an intoxicating feeling. Of course, like the character of the straight man, changes can occur. For instance, Stan and Ollie can switch from time to time – the straight man and the comic can be transferred just as women can be serious in one film and funny in another like Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl, Hello Dolly! and Meet The Fockers, yet I wouldn’t classify her as a comedienne. Carolyn Jones is another example of a woman actor who did both serious (at the time – Invasion of the Body Snatchers appears as more of a comedy these days) and comedic roles like Morticia Addams in the 1960′s television show, “The Addams Family.” Personally, I look up to these female actors more since they aren’t one trick ponies. It’s just too bad that people can’t seem to remember their funny stuff. I know I’m a good straight man, I have confidence in that, but I know I have the energy for the comedic goofball as well. For example, while I am told that I make a great straight man, I played the part of the Mayor’s Wife in “Bye Bye Birdie” (a character who doesn’t speak one word and only yells one line in a song and yet I got the biggest applause for facial expressions and timing) and a dramatic duchess in a Madrigal production in which I relied heavily on improv, facial expressions, and sometimes an impersonation of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. All in all, I like classifying (and working hard to become better) myself as a character actor. The thing is I do and say whatever I find funny and usually other people around me find it funny too. It’s a perk.
You may have noticed that I did not include Sarah Silverman or any of the ridiculous women “comediennes” of the present in my list. I can explain this very simply – I just don’t think they are funny. I believe they are only in the public eye for shock value, because they have vocabularies that would make a sailor blush or because their “material” centers around the human anatomy or sexual acts.
In the words of the great Groucho Marx, "Anybody can say something dirty and get a laugh. But saying something clean and getting a laugh. That requires a comedian."
Now, I’m not at all trying to discredit the goofballs, the clowns, the really loud and obnoxious ones. They are funny too – they are the other half to the formula that is comedy. But I believe it’s time we give the straight men out there the respect they rightfully deserve. And remember this – never, EVER assume that a straight man could never be the goofball. He/She just may surprise you.
