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cover of episode In 'Class Clown,' humorist Dave Barry embraces both the funny and hard parts of life

In 'Class Clown,' humorist Dave Barry embraces both the funny and hard parts of life

2025/5/19
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Andrew Limbaugh
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Dave Barry
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Scott Simon
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Andrew Limbaugh: 许多幽默的人实际上内心深处是悲伤的，他们用幽默作为面对生活困境的盾牌。Dave Barry的回忆录《Class Clown》讲述了他的人生，包括他身为牧师且酗酒的父亲，以及他那幽默但内心挣扎的母亲，揭示了他幽默背后的阴影。 Dave Barry: 我从小就受到我母亲的影响，她虽然一生都在与抑郁症作斗争，但她非常前卫和幽默，这使她与众不同。在我的家里，我们可以拿任何事情开玩笑，不应该太当真，尤其是不要太把自己当回事。我父亲虽然是牧师，但他非常善良和有同情心，总是帮助别人，但他后来也酗酒了。我母亲在我父亲去世后选择了自杀，这让我感到内疚，因为我当时没有真正理解她，没有给她足够的支持。现在我对当今的幽默环境感到担忧，人们似乎无法像过去那样一起欢笑了。 Scott Simon: Dave, 我理解你母亲的感受，她可能是不想成为你的负担。你的书既有趣又深刻，揭示了你人生的方方面面。

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Dave Barry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist, shares his life story in his new memoir, 'Class Clown.' The book explores his childhood, his parents' influence (his comedic mother and supportive but alcoholic father), and his concerns about the changing landscape of humor. He reflects on his mother's suicide and his own guilt for not fully understanding her struggles.
  • Dave Barry's new memoir, 'Class Clown,' explores his life and career.
  • His parents, a comedic mother and an alcoholic father, significantly influenced him.
  • He expresses concern over the current state of humor and its polarization.

Shownotes Transcript

Pulitzer Prize-winner Dave Barry wrote a humor column for 22 years. In his new book Class Clown, he tells the story of the first 77 years of his life, spent embracing comedy – but also some difficulties. One focus of the book is his relationship with his parents. Barry writes that his mom was a kind of comedic mentor who possessed a uniquely dark, edgy wit, but also struggled with depression. And Barry's father was a Presbyterian minister and, he says, a famously good listener, but also developed alcoholism. In today's episode, the author joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation that touches on Barry's family, and also his concerns about new trends in the comedy industry.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)