I’ve always been a fan of comedy. I love standup specials and I’ve been a fan of “Saturday Night Live” since I was a kid. Working for a newspaper, I know about deadlines, but putting a show like that together every week is still something I can’t imagine doing. But, I’m finding myself appreciating them more and more lately.

I don’t think it’s news to anyone that the last year has been divisive. From the Presidential race to social issues, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen our country more split than we have been in the last 12 months. So, thank God for comics and the folks at SNL.

Regardless of how you fall politically, I think most people would still at least chuckle at Alec Baldwin’s impression of President Trump. I know the POTUS doesn’t care for it and, I have to admit, that makes me sad. The sketch comedy show Key and Peele did an impersonation of President Obama that was so popular, he actually used the bit during the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. President George W. Bush has said he actually enjoyed Will Ferrell’s impersonation of him on SNL during his eight years in office. And, you know what? I think that’s healthy.

Our country has a long history of political satire. Just look at our opinion page each week and check out the cartoon. Politicians, like the rest of us, have distinct personality traits. They also make decisions some of us don’t agree with. It’s a comedy gold mine, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I respect the office of the President very much, but when Donald Trump misspells a Tweet, it’s just as funny as when George Bush made up a word or President Obama did a silly dance.

My point is this: There’s plenty going on in the world that is downright scary. Why not laugh when we can?

I’m afraid we here in Alabama are about to get an extra dose of attention in the upcoming weeks from “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. Since finding out our state is where the show is least popular – and because of an added push from Jeff Sessions becoming the U.S. Attorney General – the cast of the program has set their sights on the Heart of Dixie. I understand they have been in cities from Mobile to Huntsville working on their upcoming shows. Will they make fun of us for being famously conservative? Probably. Will our  “country” ways be the butt of a few jokes? Almost certainly. But, that’s okay. We know the stereotypes related to our great state. And let’s be honest: Most of us would laugh if it were Georgia or Mississippi taking the comedic hit.

In the end, it’s just fun. I have to admit, I wish some of the jokes on “The Daily Show” or “Saturday Night Live” weren’t so raunchy, but, other than that, I just laugh. Yes, we take football seriously. Yes, we still say “Yes m’am” and “No sir” and we may speak with a bit of a draw. It’s who we are and there’s nothing wrong with it. But, it can be funny.

I know I laugh when someone does an impersonation of Mark Wahlberg’s accent, but that doesn’t mean I have a problem with people from Boston. In the end, it’s just something funny that makes me laugh. And can’t we all use something to laugh about right about now?