You've Got That Mad Love
"Stop It!"
I Don't Care How Much They Love You
If you never have seen this Mad TV skit, you must see it before continuing reading. It is a great example of the "Mad TV" style of humor, without being raunchy or overly offensive. It also is a great example of how a simple premise can be used to great comedic effect, simply repeating the phrase "Stop it!"
The skit starts with a psychiatrist, played by Bob Newhart, sitting in his chair, waiting for his next patient to come in. When she does, she is a young woman who is clearly very anxious and nervous.
The woman starts talking about all of her fears and worries and anxieties. She says she is afraid of everything, from flying to spiders to public speaking. The psychiatrist listens patiently, and then he says, "Stop it."
The woman is taken aback. "What do you mean, 'stop it'?" she asks.
"I mean, stop being afraid," the psychiatrist says. "Just stop it."
The woman is silent for a moment. Then she says, "But I can't just stop being afraid. It's not that easy."
"Yes, it is," the psychiatrist says. "Just stop it.
The woman looks at the psychiatrist like he's crazy. "But how?" she asks.
"I don't know," the psychiatrist says. "Just stop it."
The woman sits there for a moment, thinking. Then she takes a deep breath and says, "Okay. I'll try."
The psychiatrist smiles and says, "Good. Now go out there and live your life."
The woman leaves the psychiatrist's office and starts to walk down the street. At first, she is still nervous and anxious, but then she remembers the psychiatrist's advice. She takes a deep breath and says to herself, "Stop it." And then she just keeps saying it over and over again.
"Stop it. Stop it. Stop it."
And as she keeps saying it, she starts to feel better. She starts to feel less afraid and more confident. And by the time she gets to the end of the street, she is walking with her head held high and a smile on her face.
She has stopped it.
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