"Laughing Matter" - narrative, 2003

Item — video: 13

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

A struggling comedian (Dan) makes a deal with Satan to give his career a makeover. After a rise in his career, Dan chokes on a piece of steak on night and finds himself in Hell (filmed in the Utah salt flats). After a confrontation with Satan, Dan takes offense at Satan's comment that he wasn't funny and challenges the devil to a double-or-nothing laugh off where if he wins he gets his soul back but if he looses then Satan will get to take over his life "for a vacation." In order to win, Dan has to make the devil laugh. After a long and painful attempt to make Satan laugh Dan finds inspiration and is able to make the devil laugh by telling jokes about God and religion. When he awakes to a knock at his door, Dan is served by "Jesus H. Christ" with a restraining order to bar him from Heaven for eternity for the things he said while in Hell.

Dates

2003

Conditions Governing Access

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.