It’s a fascinating look at the science of how laughter and exposure to comedy illicits positive immune response, as well as other health benefits. Radio Netherlands look at Clown Doctors features the voices of medical practitioners who don sponge noses and oversized shoes to "inject" humor into humorless situations such as patients with terminal illnesses. While this documentary can get a bit dry in the middle, overall the science is presented in an easy to understand manner. There are great discussions with doctors from the US, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as plenty of great anecdotes about patients’ responses to and appreciation of comedy, and even the differences in responses of women and men to a funny situation . Presenter Ann Blair Gould effortlessly guides the listener through the tickles and the technical of humor and healing, with ease and touches of Hollywood musical expressions of the need for levity in an all too serious world. I could hear this show aired in the 1:00pm to 2:00pm area or as a late night addition to a 24 hour information/news format. Radio Netherlands work is always top drawer.
This piece searches for evidence of laughter as having healing power. It's the search itself that proves more meaningful than the answer. The stories shared by the Clown Doctors are inspiring and heartwarming. It seems that laughter is denied to people who need them the most. The story about an Italian man, bedridden with oxygen mask on, and the story about the patient and his stack of greeting cards are especially inspiring. So is the story about the little girl who was able to act her age just before she died, thanks to the Clown Doctors. It's not always about the laughs, though. To be able to cry together is important. We agree that all humor has some pain attached to it. So, it is natural to have both co-exist. The Clown Doctors realize that very important fact and they share that with everyone they come in contact with. Maybe we will never find a medical explanation of laughter as best medicine. It is, after all, a more spiritual treatment than traditional. We tend to forget that healing of the spirit is what makes a failing body rest in peace.
Comments for RN Documentary: Humour & Healing
This piece belongs to the series "RN Documentaries"
Produced by Anne Blair Gould
Other pieces by Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Rating Summary
2 comments
Michael Johnson
Posted on August 01, 2005 at 04:01 AM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Humour & Healing
It’s a fascinating look at the science of how laughter and exposure to comedy illicits positive immune response, as well as other health benefits. Radio Netherlands look at Clown Doctors features the voices of medical practitioners who don sponge noses and oversized shoes to "inject" humor into humorless situations such as patients with terminal illnesses. While this documentary can get a bit dry in the middle, overall the science is presented in an easy to understand manner. There are great discussions with doctors from the US, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as plenty of great anecdotes about patients’ responses to and appreciation of comedy, and even the differences in responses of women and men to a funny situation . Presenter Ann Blair Gould effortlessly guides the listener through the tickles and the technical of humor and healing, with ease and touches of Hollywood musical expressions of the need for levity in an all too serious world. I could hear this show aired in the 1:00pm to 2:00pm area or as a late night addition to a 24 hour information/news format. Radio Netherlands work is always top drawer.
Emon Hassan
Posted on July 16, 2005 at 07:52 PM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Humour & Healing
This piece searches for evidence of laughter as having healing power. It's the search itself that proves more meaningful than the answer. The stories shared by the Clown Doctors are inspiring and heartwarming. It seems that laughter is denied to people who need them the most. The story about an Italian man, bedridden with oxygen mask on, and the story about the patient and his stack of greeting cards are especially inspiring. So is the story about the little girl who was able to act her age just before she died, thanks to the Clown Doctors. It's not always about the laughs, though. To be able to cry together is important. We agree that all humor has some pain attached to it. So, it is natural to have both co-exist. The Clown Doctors realize that very important fact and they share that with everyone they come in contact with. Maybe we will never find a medical explanation of laughter as best medicine. It is, after all, a more spiritual treatment than traditional. We tend to forget that healing of the spirit is what makes a failing body rest in peace.