Post to the Host

Host Garrison Keillor answers your questions about life, love, writing, authors, and of course, A Prairie Home Companion.

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You're welcome to think it's hilarious

December 3, 2003 |

Dear Mr. Keillor,

I've always thought that the line, "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking,
and all the children are above average" is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I always assumed
you meant it to be so, but I'm starting to have doubts. Am I "getting" something that isn't there?

--Mark

Mark,
I cooked up that line so many years ago and have spoken it so many times since that I couldn't tell you if it's funny or sad or ironic or anything else. To me it's like "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, the panels above your heads will automatically open." Or "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Sometimes it means something and other times I just say it because it's supposed to be said. You're welcome to think it's hilarious.

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