Authority: The Thin Line Between Power and Humor
There’s something about authority that we can’t help but find amusing. Whether it’s a police officer directing traffic, a teacher trying to control a rowdy classroom or even a referee enforcing the rules in hockey games, there’s something inherently comical about someone being in charge.
Maybe it’s because deep down we all secretly wish we were the ones wielding the power. Or maybe it’s just because watching someone else try to enforce their authority is like watching a toddler try to put on their own shoes – you know they’re going to fail spectacularly, but you can’t look away.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of sports. From coaches throwing tantrums on the sidelines to players arguing with referees, sports are full of hilarious displays of people trying (and failing) to assert their dominance.
Take hockey for example. It’s not exactly known as a sport for shrinking violets – after all, these are guys who willingly strap blades onto their feet and hurl themselves around an ice rink at breakneck speeds while slamming into each other with bone-crushing force.
But even in this tough-as-nails world, there’s still room for some good old-fashioned humor when it comes to authority figures.
For starters, let’s talk about referees. These guys have one of the toughest jobs in all of sports – they have to make split-second decisions while keeping up with some of the fastest athletes on earth. And if they get it wrong? Well, let’s just say that angry fans throwing beer cans onto the ice is probably the least of their worries.
But despite all this pressure (not to mention abuse from players and fans alike), refs still manage to keep things light-hearted sometimes. Take NHL ref Wes McCauley for instance – he has become famous for his dramatic goal calls and over-the-top enthusiasm during penalty announcements:
“WE HAVE A GOAL!”
“GOOD GOAL!”
“WE HAVE A FIGHT!”
It’s hard not to smile when you hear him get so excited about something as mundane as a goal or a fight.
And then there are the coaches. These guys are supposed to be the ones in charge, but sometimes they can be just as ridiculous as their players. Take former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle for example – he was notorious for his “Carlyle Face”, which was basically just a look of exasperation and disbelief that he would give whenever one of his players did something stupid on the ice.
Or how about legendary hockey coach Don Cherry? He’s known for his outlandish outfits and controversial opinions, but even he has had some moments where he couldn’t help but laugh at himself. Like that time he accidentally set fire to his desk during a live broadcast:
“I’m sorry folks, I was trying to light my cigar and I lit my notes on fire.”
It takes a certain level of self-awareness (and humor) to be able to laugh at yourself like that.
Of course, it’s not just the authority figures themselves who can provide some comic relief – sometimes it’s the players who take matters into their own hands. Like when Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban pretended to blow kisses at Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara during a playoff game:
Chara may have been the bigger player physically, but Subban definitely won this battle of wits.
And let’s not forget about all those times hockey players have tried (and failed) to intimidate each other with their fighting skills. There’s something inherently funny about watching two grown men try to punch each other while wearing giant pads and helmets.
But perhaps the funniest thing about all these displays of authority is how they remind us that even though we may feel powerless sometimes, we still have the ability to laugh in the face of those who try to control us.
So the next time you’re feeling frustrated with a boss, a teacher or even just a traffic cop, remember that sometimes the best way to deal with authority is to laugh at it. After all, if we can’t beat ’em, we might as well join ’em.