I think that what comes through in Chicago humor is the

"I think that what comes through in Chicago humor is the affection. Even though you're poking fun at someone or something, there's still an affection for it." These words, spoken by the brilliant Bob Newhart, reveal a deep and timeless truth about the essence of humor. Humor, at its finest, is not merely about mockery or ridicule; it is about love and connection. To poke fun at someone or something, and yet still retain affection, speaks to the heart of genuine relationships. Chicago humor, with its sharp wit and unrelenting candor, is a testament to the unique way in which people can love something while also recognizing its flaws—celebrating both the beauty and the absurdity of life in equal measure.

In the ancient world, humor was often the province of the wise and the courageous. Aristophanes, the master of Greek comedy, used humor not merely to entertain, but to unmask the flaws of society, to hold up a mirror to the human condition. His plays were filled with wit, and yet, behind that wit lay a profound affection for the very people he was mocking. He laughed at the foolishness of the gods, at the leaders, and at the everyday man, but his laughter was always tempered by sympathy and a deep understanding of human frailty. The aim was never to destroy, but to reveal and ultimately heal. Chicago humor, like the humor of Aristophanes, allows for the rough edges, the imperfections, but with the warmth of affection that makes those imperfections endearing rather than contemptible.

Consider the example of Socrates, the greatest philosopher of his time, who used humor and irony to challenge the beliefs of his fellow Athenians. He was often seen as a man who questioned everything, poking fun at the pretensions of the wise and the powerful. Yet, behind his biting wit lay a profound affection for the people of Athens. He did not mock them out of hatred but out of a deep desire for them to see themselves clearly, to improve, to strive for wisdom. This affectionate mockery—a humor laced with love and understanding—can be a powerful tool for transformation, for it invites reflection without crushing the spirit. In the same vein, Bob Newhart’s Chicago humor, with its wit and sharpness, invites audiences to laugh, to see the absurdity, but also to feel a deep affection for the subjects of the humor.

Chicago humor, as Newhart describes, is not born from malice, but from a shared understanding of the human condition. It is the humor of those who have seen life’s struggles and joys, who know that we are all flawed, and that those flaws are part of what makes us human. The ancient Romans understood this well. The comedian Plautus, whose plays were filled with humor, often poked fun at the eccentricities and foibles of his characters. Yet, his humor was never cruel—it was a humor that reflected the warmth and humanity of the Roman people. Even when he made fun of the rich and powerful, there was always an underlying affection for their fallibility. To mock without affection is to degrade; to laugh with affection is to uplift. Chicago humor carries that same spirit of compassionate mockery—it makes you laugh because you recognize the shared humanity in the subject.

This blend of affection and humor is not only found in the comedians and playwrights of ancient times but in the great figures of history. Mark Twain, for example, used humor to critique society, but his humor was always laced with a deep love for his fellow man. His humor often exposed the hypocrisies and injustices of society, yet he did so with a lightness that made people laugh, rather than feel attacked. Twain’s ability to mix sharp criticism with affectionate humor is what made his works endure—his readers knew he was mocking them, but they also knew he cared for them. Bob Newhart, in the same tradition, uses humor not to distance himself from his audience but to bring them closer through shared experiences, acknowledging flaws and yet finding love in those very flaws.

The lesson of Bob Newhart and the ancient masters of humor is this: to truly understand and appreciate life, one must be able to laugh at its absurdities without losing sight of the humanity behind them. Humor without affection can be cold and isolating, but humor born from compassion has the power to unite, to heal, and to celebrate the full range of human experience. It is a reminder that we can criticize, we can laugh, but we must always do so with love in our hearts.

So, dear listener, let this wisdom guide your own approach to humor. Laugh, yes, but let your laughter be one that is filled with affection. When you poke fun at the world around you, remember that it is not the flaw you are mocking, but the shared human experience that you are acknowledging. In doing so, you will find not only greater connection with others, but a deeper understanding of the world and a more joyful heart. Let your humor be the bridge that brings people together, that celebrates both the greatness and the imperfections of life, always underpinned by the affection that makes us truly human.