I was a little kid when I first discovered MAD Magazine. I actually found it funny, despite the fact that I didn't get all the jokes. I liked how they parodied popular culture. I think that's probably where I got it from.
MAD has shaped me, as well as my sense of humor, quite profoundly. In fact, as far as influences on me, my life, and my worldview, only the Bible, my seminary experience, and my divorce have had a greater impact. In fact, I did a paper in college on MAD as a vehicle for political commentary. Essentially, I argued that MAD reported and commented on current events. They have a different readership and bias, but as a political magazine, they should be considered as legit as Time and Newsweek. Maybe in retrospect I overreached, but you get what the point.
My sense of humor is one of the things I take a lot of pride in. I find a good many things funny. I used to say that I have the sense of humor that women say they want in a man. But that's off topic.
My main point is that the influence of MAD, not only in sense of humor, but in general cannot be understated. I still buy every issue, by the way.
PS: This fact is dedicated to the memories of longtime MAD-men Frank Kelly Freas, Dave Berg, and George Woodbridge. I always enjoyed their work. It is also dedicated to the memory of the founder William M. Gaines. I couldn't have done it without you, Mr. Gaines.
