Joyful Videos to Make us Smile and Laugh

 

Have you ever sat before your computer screen, transfixed by the videos? You suddenly realize that your jaw is aching from grinning from ear to ear. Happiness and pure delight fill your heart, your stress forgotten, a transient but much-needed respite from the worries of this world.

The news is depressing nowadays. During these trying times, when people forget how to be humane and kind, and political strife reigns supreme, I need diversion and distraction. It may last only a few minutes or hours, but I gladly welcome any opportunity to de-stress.

Laughter is healing. A 2023 meta-analysis reported that a single session of watching joyful videos reduces the stress hormone cortisol and releases the feel-good chemicals endorphins. A La Loma University study found that laughing is healthy, as it “strengthens the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and activating immune cells, making it an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.”

So, join me and let us laugh and smile together.

 

“You're the One that I Want” by Bobby Glorioso and Antwaan Taylor.                             Just two friends having fun at work. 

 

Victor Borge, comedian and pianist, the “Clown Prince of Denmark”. When life was simpler, the humor was cleaner, and no politician dictated your comedy routine.

Rowan Atkinson, the British comedian par excellence, is on another level. I will watch Mr. Bean anytime. Alas, he was never knighted, but he received the "Commander of the British Empire" award for his services to drama and charity.

TikToker @dfaguimba shares videos of himself dancing with random people on the street, coaxing them to release their inhibitions and dance with him, or simply giving them a hug. He uses the hashtag “Human is Human” in his videos.

Umaru Dante, also known as Ngobi Umaru, spreads smiles and happiness. He is a dance artist, choreographer, and entertainer from Kampala, Uganda. Who can resist his infectious smile?

 

 Ken Lee, remember that very familiar song? I love her conviction. Such chutzpah!

 

Kids being kids, enjoying life to the fullest, cute and carefree. May they keep their "joie de vivre" even in their adult lives.

Sometimes, children don't have filters, and they just surprise us with their honest revelations. To this day, we still don't know who or what the boy did to cause her ire. 

Mic drop!

Ellie and Emma

Kevin Bubolz realized the positive impact of dogs while deployed as a US Army helicopter pilot. He brings Ellie and Emma, two golden retrievers, to "spread smiles" in their visits as therapy dogs in schools, hospitals, and military bases.

 

 

 Baby laughing

Ed People (real name, Edouard Jaqmin) from Belgium asks strangers to dance with him. It would be fun to meet him on the street; I may be persuaded to bust a move, even if I have no rhythm.  Maybe I can teach him how to dance "Tinikling"? Oh no, that's too hard for my aching knees and hips. Maybe "Pandango sa Ilaw" or "Itik-itik"?

 

In 2014, the staff at Elmhurst Hospital filmed their version of Pharrell’s “Happy” song. So many familiar faces. I wish I were there.  

P.S. I am remiss for not mentioning the super-group BTS from South Korea. I am an ardent Army (name for BTS fans), and I have spent countless hours watching their versatile and entertaining discography, as well as their hilarious variety show videos- RUN BTS and RUN-Seokjin. I smile, I laugh, and for some precious hours, I forget that there's a world out there worth escaping from.

Laugh-out-loud Funny Talent Show Auditions

 

Several months ago, after a trying and tiring day, I needed to find my joy. Nothing worked; even my beloved BTS distracted me for only just a little bit. My stress balls did not work. I needed something silly, stupid, and hilarious.

I needed to laugh out loud. Laughter is a blessing, an instant vacation from negativity, and as everybody knows, is cheap medicine. An anonymous person wisely said, “Laughter is when a smile has an orgasm”.

I realized that all I had to do was watch the funny auditions in those talent shows. It is quite liberating to see another person take a brave leap of faith in going before sanctimonious judges and the audience, risking their pride, beaming with unusual confidence, and showing the world that they are living their dreams.

My cynical side thinks that some delusions of grandeur work out in mysterious ways. We can still dream of something big and live the life we have always longed for. We just need to work hard and follow our passion, however unintentionally or accidentally laughable we may become.

 

William Hung

Remember William Hung? He defined the 3^rd season of American Idol, eclipsing even the winner Fantasia Barrino. He sang Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs”, and rose to national prominence (of sorts). In a way he mocked us all, emerging from that with a career as a motivational speaker. He gave it all without regrets, and I admire him for it.

 

Renaldo Lapuz

He’s the most memorable Filipino in the whole history of American Idol. Renaldo Lapuz showed grace and humility if nothing else.  His original composition “We’re Brothers Forever” lived rent-free in my mind for a while. Dressed in an all-white ensemble with a hat and a silver cape, he defied expectations and parlayed this to being featured in the finale of American Idol Season 7. 

 

 

 Miss Tres

Brace for the surprise. Don't let their looks deceive you. The Philippines’ answer to Destiny’s Child or Spice Girls, the trio performed “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones at Asia’s Got Talent. Wait for their names.

Tequila guy 

In Season 14 of America’s Got Talent, Andy Rowell came in as a karaoke joke but left as a viral sensation.  How can something so stupid and so wrong be so right and so hilarious? This may be a take on another comedian Andy Kaufman’s Mighty Mouse character, but his brilliant performance earned him a standing ovation.

 Tape Face

What a creative genius.  Comedian Sam Willis or his alter ego Tape Face was a contestant on America's Got Talent in Season 11. He was a modern version of Charlie Chaplin and made it to the Finals and later on performed his own shows in Las Vegas with his signature duct tape.

 

 Ken Lee

This takes the cake. I am convinced that this is actually the funniest audition of all.  The piece de resistance. In Bulgarian Music Idol 2 (2008), Valentina Hasan tried to sing Mariah Carey's song "Without you". She even smirked irritably when questioned about what kind of language “Ken Lee” was. Tulibi dibu douchoo, But of course, it could only be English.

 

Ken Lee, Miss Tres and Other Funny Musical Performances

This year, American Idol completed its incomparable 15-season run. Much as it has given us singing superstars like Kelly Clarkson, I must admit I enjoyed watching the funny (or bad) auditions. There are people who are clueless about their lack of talents. But the show certainly gave us a few hours of enjoyment, a sure stress-reducer. The belly laughs they induce do release tension, lower the blood pressure, and reinforce my belief that there are more tone-deaf people than me.

You all remember William Hung of the “She Bangs” fame (or infamy) who parlayed his more than 15-minutes into a short-lived musical career. I did not care about the stereotypical characterization, but I truly enjoyed his optimistic off-key renditions for the simple reason: he made me laugh. He was, for lack of a better word, charming.





Here are my favorite funny musical performances from other talent shows. Is there any one funnier than Ken Lee?


“Ken Lee”?, from Bulgarian Idol.
I have watched this many times, and this rendition never fails to make me laugh. Check out her attitude when the judge asked her what language was she singing in. "No one ken to ken to sivmen, nor yon clees toju maliveh". "English". Of course. Thank you, Ken Lee.






Miss Tres on “Asia's Got Talent”.
Just watch and be amazed. Listen for their real names.





Weird Guys on 'France Got Talent'. Hey, it takes talent to work these towels around.





Fe and Rodfil: The Unlikeliest Of Singing Duos on “Asia's Got Talent”. Turn around, hahaha.





And then there are the professional ones who are clearly talented, and funny as well.


PAgagNINI is a string quartet from Spain who brings classical music and comedy together on stage. Who says classical music is boring?






Victor Borge Classic Collection - Victor Borge's Funniest Moments
The master pianist-comedian. "A smile is the shortest distance between people", yes indeed.

Kids Have Talent

Lyca Gairanod



In the blind audition of Voice Kids Philippines, a diminutive nine-year old girl from Cavite, Philippines confidently belted out her own version of pop rock group Aegis’song “Halik”. It was her voice, just six words into the song, that made her coach Sarah Guillermo turn her chair. It was her voice that brought the audience to their feet and propelled her video to become a viral hit.

The raw power and richness of her voice and her gutsy performance impressed me, but what captured my heart was that impish little smile and the twinkle in her eyes when she saw the audience’s response. She had me at the first growl.

Lea Salonga was so moved by her that she later drew comparison to Lyca’s story with Nora Aunor, the Filipino superstar who triumphed from her humble beginnings. Nora's train stations versus Lyca's junk shops.

Lyca had great competition, but at the end, after garnering the audience vote in all three categories in the final show, she was declared the first ever grand champion. The "madlang people" had spoken. Singing alongside Aegis, she held her own, rocked the stage, got a standing ovation from the audience and the coaches, and ensured her victory.

Her back story transfixed the audience; her father is a fisherman, and to help support the family, Lyca joined her mother and other siblings to scavenge for junk. This is a story of hope and resilience, but somehow, those who were unhappy with her win are trying to discredit this child, citing “sympathy votes”.

Sympathy can only bring you so far, it cannot win a title. Lyca triumphed despite/in spite the sob story because she is talented; it's not because of civic duty nor a moral responsibility.

The Iraqi teen who was deformed in the war and was adopted by an Australian woman did not win X-Factor Australia. The orphaned girl, the single mother who worked overseas, the mentally challenged teen, the bullied boy, the extremely shy man and the social outcast did not win their contests. Juan Karlos, another Voice Kids Philippines contestant, got his place as a runner-up because of his talent and charm, not because he lost his mother at a young age.

Lyca, with her untrained voice, is a “diamond in the rough”. There was so much more nuance in her voice, so much more untapped potential that it is so exciting what the future will hold for her. With proper musical training and professional guidance, she will achieve even greater triumphs.

She is a modern Cinderella, and we, her supporters, are her fairy godmothers.



Darren Espanto



This eleven-year old from Canada, if he won, would be also deserving of the title. His talent is immense that it really doesn’t need official confirmation to be declared a winner in his own right. He is not just a young Jed Madela, not just a young Martin Nievera. Darren Espanto is ready for stage, for his own path to glory.



Here are other amazingly talented kids.


Amira Willighagen, 9 y/o from "Holland's Got Talent"




Angelina Jordan, 7 y/o from Norway’s Got Talent 2014




Sam Santiago a Filipino American from Irvine, California. He had appeared in the Maury Show - Most Talented Kids 2013


http://www.samsantiagomusic.com/




P.S. This. Is. Not. Talent. but it is soooo much fun to watch.
I was compelled to put this together after being subjected to a horrible display of non-talent as seen below. Although I must admit that the Ken Lee version is one of the most hilarious and extremely entertaining auditions I have ever seen. This is a guaranteed belly laugh.