I think comedy's particularly challenging as dementia sets in. A lot of it -- especially modern stand-up -- is quite 'clever', which is a clumsy way of putting it... more anecdotal, requiring you to follow a train of thought leading up to some kind of payoff.
However what I noticed in my Mum, back when she paid any attention to the TV, was that she responded to the apparent 'fun level' of anything funny I was watching. So the more laughter, the more the TV audience was enjoying what was going on, the more 'upbeat' and smiley the performer was, the better the chance she'd stay engaged for more than a few seconds and laugh herself. I'm sure she had no idea what was funny though, and I certainly wouldn't have dreamed of taking to anything live, because her attention span wasn't great.
I'm grateful for Mum for introducing me to Mrs Brown's Boys though. I was your typical "I'm far too sensible to watch that kind of trash" elitist before I started clutching at straws to entertain Mum. But I left it on one day and she loved it. The good old fashioned bawdiness, the upbeat tone of it all, and the swearing... she was tickled pink! For a while anyway.
I found that while watching that 'for Mum's sake' I discovered it's comedy with an awful lot of heart; it's not Frasier, but it's now something I respect. Entertainment is hard, and that team are entertaining... if you can suspend your preconceptions for long enough to relax.
I still enjoy a bit of Dad's Army on a Saturday evening, but that kind of think definitely has no appeal to Mum... not enough laughter, too many serious faces. Anything with kids laughing in it will still get her attention, but not for long.
Mum used to appreciate a bit of upbeat Doddy... but not for the jokes, just for his appearance and manner, the tickle stick, and the joy of the audience. She loved Dave Allen back in the day, and I still appreciate him now. But that slow, relaxed, understated delivery of his meant nothing to her when I tried watching him a couple of Christmases ago, back when she was a lot more aware.
I suspect I ought to be watching a lot more CeeBeebies or something now to try and identify some simple, funny, child-oriented performers. Not because I'm saying folk with dementia are children... they're all different, but as adults we require a lot of 'seasoning' with our jaded humour palates. Children are still focused on the pure, simple joys of life. If I have any hope of getting Mum to smile again regularly that's probably where I should be seeking inspiration. I certainly won't be trying to get her to watch 'Live at the Apollo' or 'Mock the Week'.
Mind you, even though I used to think of myself as a lefty Guardianista, these days even I struggle to be engaged by stuff like that. I think I may not be 'woke' enough for modern humour. Or maybe I just got old and will revert to Wheeltappers & Shunters mode. I just hope someone puts me out of my misery before I start hunting down Bernhard Manning clips on YouTube.
Actually... that makes me wonder about firing up some Tiswas on the TV's YouTube app. I can relive my formative Sally James years and Mum might enjoy the slapstick and Spit the Dog.
Or maybe I'm just looking for excuses to relive my own youth? I'm definitely typing as an excuse not to get Mum rugged up for a dog walk though. Better get on with that before it does dark. I swear someone stole about five hours of daylight when the clocks went back.