Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Jonathan Winters, Mad Comic Genius

I’d be hard put to say when I’ve had a thoroughly deep cleansing belly laugh from the stand up comics or hosts on late night TV. Most of them use social media for their sources, and speaking for myself, social media is a sad place to draw from these days.
Oh, for the days when Red Skelton could elicit a hearty laugh with his corn pone characters and jokes, many which we knew the outcome of before he got to the end. But delivered by Red, they were hilariously funny. Put him on stage with Jonathon Winters and they would blow the doors off with their improvisations, mostly made up as they went along. This is what I call genius.
That kind of comedy is dead, and the world is sadder for it with the passing this week of king of them all, Jonathon Winters. He started out with Jack Paar and went on later to the Johnny Carson show. He quickly became a favorite guest and was in demand on many other shows. No one ever came close to his brand of comedy. He was truly one of a kind and also performed in movies, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World,” and in other entertainment venues, “Mearth, from Mork and Mindy.” He was a mentor of Robin Williams, but Robin never reached Jonathon’s greatness.
 TV hosts loved him. When he was on stage, he owned the stage. The hosts never knew what was coming, and neither did Jonathon. It was fun watching the hosts doubling over with laughter when he performed. And he never let the audience down.
Young folks of today would think this kind of comedy old fashioned, hokey. But it never insulted its audience with political barbs, hurtful comments about the private lives of others, or words we do not allow our children to hear. Comedy is supposed to be funny, but I find no fun in wincing from a comment that leaves a lasting impression on someone’s character. Or internet rumors. The old comics didn’t need the internet. They drew their comedy either from within or from observing human nature. And nothing can be more amusing or insightful than human nature.
I know its a different world, but sometimes it’s hard to accept. And I deplore the comics who overlook the audiences’ feelings in lieu of sensationalism. You don’t have to knock our socks off in order to be funny. Just make us laugh. 
Oh for the days of Bob and Ray, Bob Newhart, George Gobel, Red Skelton and other truly funny men whose only purpose was to give us a good time and make us feel good. Sans insults. Sans incivility.
The funniest of them all was Jonathon Winters. Heaven must be exploding with laughter today. May he rest in peace.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups biscuit mix
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup water

Garlic Butter:
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the biscuit mix and cheese in a small bowl. Add the water and stir just until combined. The dough will be slightly moist. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the biscuits are firm and beginning to brown.
While the biscuits are baking, make the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic powder, salt, and parsley flakes. Mix well. As soon as you bring the biscuits from the oven, brush them with the garlic butter using a pastry brush.