Mitch Hedberg was one of the most gifted comedians the world will ever know. Feb. 24 marks what would have been his 48th birthday. While his legions of fans wish he could’ve been writing his one-liners well into middle age, it’s a testament to the perfection of his craft that he can still make us laugh a decade after his untimely death.
What makes Hedberg’s jokes resonate throughout the years is their simplicity. He is observing life, and asking questions and giving answers that shouldn’t exist. They are perfect little encapsulations of joy that are so out there, and yet so true, you can’t help but laugh. With these jokes, Hedberg changed the way thousands, if not millions, of people thought about everyday life. I know these lines forever altered my view of pasta, shaving and the strange technology we know as pants:
Fettucini alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults.
Every time I go and shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving. So I say, ‘I’m gonna go shave, too.’
My belt holds my pants up, but the belt loops hold my belt up. I don’t really know what’s happening down there. Who is the real hero?
It’s obvious that the real hero is Mitch Hedberg. Happy birthday, you caked-out freak.