I’ve tried to live my life with as much humor as possible, because I have a theory that when people laugh, they are happy. And I do my best to navigate fatherhood the same way, with plenty of guffaws and giggles. Sure, my wife is a tough audience, and a lot of my wisecracks are over the head of 2-year-old NJ … but usually, I find myself to be hilarious.

Getty Images/Bob Trott

Louis C.K. and Bob Trott: kindred dad spirits.

Still, I can’t hold a candle to Louis C.K., one of the funniest guys around. And, if his stand-up routines and FX show “Louie” are to be believed, a great dad, too. Now, I know performers get paid to pretend to be things they’re not. But I think C.K. – a divorced father with joint custody of his two young daughters -- is different. First off, he isn’t that great of an actor. But more importantly, I buy it all because it rings true. His dad humor works because it’s honest.

To wit:

“… I've learned from those girls how to be a better man. If I'd had a boy, then there'd be two (bad) versions of me. The last thing I need to do is fail twice with two different people: me and my son. But I benefit from an uncomplicated relationship with my daughters -- I get to observe how great they are. I'm always learning from them, and they are well-mannered with far better living habits than I have. When I get up in the morning, for instance, they're already dressed, with their teeth brushed and looking nice. I'm not capable of any of that.”

I completely relate to that, and yet it’s something I didn’t even consider back in our early pregnancy stages when (I thought) I wanted a son. Also: the flat-out admiration of his girls makes sense to me.

C.K. doesn’t hold much sacred and is blunt and irreverent – which adds up to a different kind of honesty than the “my kids are so much better than I am” kind. Before NJ came along, I laughed and was horrified at some of the child-rearing anecdotes he told – only to see them come to pass once my daughter was born. “Ah, this is what Louis C.K. was talking about!” I thought, more than once.

In an episode of “Louie” that aired a few months back, C.K. brushes his daughter’s teeth as she matter-of-factly tells him she loves her mother more than him and prefers to live with her. Hurt registers in C.K.’s face, but he plows on with the conversation as he dutifully finishes up the brushing. Once done, he sends her on her way – and when her back is turned, he flips her the bird.

I don’t think I’ve cheered more at anything on TV that didn’t involve a baseball or a football. I made my wife – who at the time was my daughter’s favorite parent  -- watch it: “See, that’s how I feel! He gets me!”

So: A schlubby 40-something dad who loves, admires and dotes on his children, but also vents now and again? A guy who can see beauty and happiness through a jaded cynic’s eyes? I can relate.

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