Nature v. Nurture

Once more the nature/nurture (heredity v. environment) argument appears to be over. Men who come from a long line of males are — according to a new study — most likely to father baby boys; if there are more XXs than XYs hanging off the genetic family tree then dad is statistically more likely to bring forth a girl.

Similarly, the father who robs gravestones (like Demetrius Lanier, 35, of Albany, N.Y.) is most likely to give birth to a son who robs gravestones (like Shateek Lanier, 19, of Troy, N.Y.). As for environment, both are now in custody.

Naturally, the same can be said for the father who passes bad Jacksons (we're talking about you Timothy Work, 49, of Davie, Fla.). He is most likely to have a daughter with paper problems as well (exhibit a: Lisa J. Work, 21). Intriguingly, heredity may predict, but the environment for these ne'er do wells is also jail, for now at least.

Fun Knee

Fathers are funny. Kids are funny. But each in his (or her, kid that is) own way. And while much gets passed or taken from father to sun, it is hard to know how comedic viewpoint and performance gets passed along.

So, Slim (grandfather) DeGray apparently "killed" in a WWII POW camp. Calvin (son/father) is reported to have done some Australian television, stand-up and corporate work. And now comes Asher who describes his banana peel moment as, " "One day it just sort of clicked and I thought, 'I'm going to try this - why not?' " His chances of making a living? Obviously, dad just laughs them off.

But he shouldn't let that stand in his way. After all, Pauli Shore hasn't let his lack of funny ruin a career — a poorly staged fake heckler punch is comedic?



Shore has still managed to make a living and date well thanks to being the son of Sammy Shore, who started LA's Comedy Store, which he lost in divorce to wife/mother Mitzi. Now, the two are appearing together ... in Vegas and in chronological order

Sometimes it takes an outsider to divine the humor between father and son. Like Mark Day on Keith and Bert Richards [Earlier: Fifth Commandment].



** BTW, attitude is not intentionally funny, as amply demonstrated by late William Buckley and son Christopher. **

Boys v. Girls

What can you get from dad?

Sadly, you get fat if you are daughter Lisa Marie of icon Elvis, as well as a bunch of other stuff. But if you are a fruit fly (and male) you get handsome.

** If only DNA stood for Dad Knows All. **