My daughter wanted me to watch TV with her a few nights ago. Comedy Central was playing when I walked into the room. Never shunning a laugh, I sat on the couch. Bill Engvall was talking and telling a joke I had not heard before. This got my attention and I settled in to watch.

Many laughs later, eyes tearing, I was wondering why I liked Bill Engvall and found him so funny. Thinking about it I realized the reason was that he relates to normal people. People who work and have families. Many of his jokes include his wife, son or daughter. However, they are generally nice jokes. His love and pride of his family is evident when he speaks of them.

He often speaks about how much he loves his wife and how she must be a saint to put up with him. He fondly admits she is the boss and he is "just a guy". With that attitude, it is no wonder they have been married for 26 years. In one joke he states that when they got engaged, they had a discussion. He said he would handle all the hard decisions and she would handle all the easy ones. It seems they have not had one hard decision since they married!

Bill Engvall is "just a guy". And his jokes make us recognize the comedy in our own lives. His good-natured telling of issues between he and his wife hits home with many couples. I am sure that somewhere out there, a wife is yelling at her husband, "aawwhh, what'd you hit a deer?" The ability to use humor in annoying circumstances has probably saved more than one marriage.

In the video below, Bill tells about a vacation to the Bahamas with his wife and children during their spring break. Although his wife and children do not figure prominently in this one, you know they are there. He talks about being a cheap drunk, which is a refreshing break from the jokes about drinking or drugs that you usually hear.

The adventure he relates does include half a prescription pain killer and a Bahama Mama, but he does not make it sound glorious. He readily admits that this lead to the adventure which includes para-gliding, sharks and a lagoon. I first saw this years ago, but laugh anew each time I see it again.

Nothing is sacred in Bill's jokes, he will talk about bodily functions, his little girl's growing up, his son's arrival to the hormonal years...all those little things you don't usually mention in public. He talks about it in a very down to earth way, using little, if any, foul language.

Mostly he speaks of the embarrassment you feels as a man and a father when asked to do something outside of your comfort zone. I think these are things a father can relate to having either been there, or dreading the day when it will come.

The clip below has Bill telling about the how your habits change after years of marriage. He describes how what used to embarrass you no longer does. He speaks of having to go to the store and get pads for his daughter. And how his son puts him on the spot due to increases in hormones.

Bill Engvall speaks to the humanity in us all. He readily admit that he is not cool. He admits to being a nerd at times. I must have at least one true nerd gene in my make-up to find this next video so funny. But then, don't most people have their nerdy moments?

One of the things I really enjoy about watching Bill Engvall is he so obviously enjoys his work. He involves the audience and is active and engaging. One of his idiosyncrasies I love is that he laughs at the jokes when telling them. You know he is going to say something funny because he will give a little laugh.

The last video clip has Bill doing his signature line, "Here's your sign". We all make those little faux pas when talking, you know, the ones that as soon as it's passed your lips you wish you could just inhale it back in. Well, maybe you don't have this problem, but I certainly do! These jokes are about the stupid questions people ask in obvious situations.

I'll relate one that happened to me last Friday. I called a patient up on the phone to do a pre-operative assessment. His wife answered, and I explained who I was and requested she have him call back. She then asks me, "Is it important?"

My first thought was to say, "No, I was just calling to say Hi." 

Luckily common sense won out and I told her yes, it was important and explained why.

I hope you got a good laugh from these. Laughter is so important in life and so good for us physically and mentally. Laughter is good for our immune systems, reduces our stress levels, causes the release of endorphins and just plain makes us feel better.

Remember to laugh daily, love much and play often. These are the secrets to a happy life!