If you'd like to learn to do this thing that we do, here's a brief syllabus:
BOOKS TO READ
The Physical Comedy Handbook - Davis Rider Robinson
I Am Jackie Chan - Jackie Chan
Backwards & Forwards - David Ball
Truth in Comedy - Johnson, Halpern, Close
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Impro - Keith Johnstone
MOVIES TO SEE
essential:
Funny Bones
The General (Buster Keaton)
Doctor Strangelove
others:
Some Like It Hot
Supercop
A Night at the Opera
Young Frankenstein
Spinal Tap
Manhattan
Harold & Maude
Kino Films has a series of videos called Slapstick Encyclopedia available from some libraries.
TV SHOWS TO RENT ON VIDEO
Monty Python
Mr. Show
Sifl & Olly
Absolutely Fabulous
The Dick Van Dyke Show
THEATER TO TAKE IN
Theatre de la Jeune Lune
Brave New Workshop
self-interestedly:
ComedySportz
Improv-A-Go-Go
Look Ma, No Pants
CLASSES TO TAKE
Comedy Text and Theory - University of Minnesota
Any acting classes (the Guthrie, the University)
Any movement or dance class (Margolis Brown)
Any clowning class
PAINTERS TO VIEW
Willem DeKooning
Keith Haring
Andy Warhol