Ochocinco chooses Tara's wit on VH1 show, men talk about why a woman's sense of humor is important

VH1 viewers are confused about why contestant Tara continues to stay on the show. She can crack a joke successful enough to keep NFL football player Chad Ochocinco laughing no matter how awkward the situation is. In Episode 108 "Analyze That" even after Chad told one of the last four girls in "Ultimate Catch" that being funny wasn't always appropriate, he still continues to choose her. From the VH1 message boards, viewers are perplexed about why.

Before her recent date with Tara, she said, "I just like making Chad laugh. I don't feel like any other girl has the personality that I have."

After seeing Tara joking with the sports psychologist who was asked to talk to the ladies before or after their dates, he wasn't amused. He told Tara, "So you want to start everything off with jokes? You can't do that. There's a time to play and there's a time when you need to be about your business...Everything is funny, and that's cool. But at some point you've got to be serious."

But right after he chewed her out about making a joke of everything, he told her she's staying on the show. He said into the camera, "I know that Tara has not yet proven she can be serious. You know what they say. I'm a fool when it comes to love."

Even Ochocinco questions his rationale later on, tweeting, "WTF, which one of my dumb ass personalities made tonights [sic] decision in elimination, I dont [sic] even drink alcohol!" (9:01 PM Aug 22nd)

While Tara and Ochocinco have not formed chemistry outside of cracking jokes and don't seem to have any sexual connection, her jokes continue to keep her on the show. So does that mean a sense of humor overrides sex appeal, a friendship and/or a stand-by-your-man attitude? Every man is different, and every guy isn't always looking for the same thing but judging from these responses, a sense of humor is essential in a relationship.

"[A sense of humor] is extremely important," tweets Chicago poet BerTramDeVoul. "We (men) are very expressive within our humor, and she has to have a sense of that to better understand and coexist with him."

On top of a sense of humor helping a woman build a bond with her man, there are some health benefits, too. USA Today reports that 10 to 15 minutes of laughing per day can burn off a medium square of chocolate or 4.4 pounds per year. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, at the American Heart Association's 73rd Scientific Sessions on Nov. 15, 2000 in New Orleans, a study indicated that a sense of humor may help protect someone against a heart attack.

Dating someone who can help lighten up an uncomfortable or unfortunate situation is a stress reliever.

SoulVegFolk user Antonio Shalem says, "I will say that laughing on a regular basis helps to stimulate the immune system. It provides a sense of relaxation and others around me benefit from it as well. I believe this is because the mood a man has will eventually affect the moods of those around him...a healthy sense of humor makes the week go by smoother."

Ladies, while that outfit or come hither look may grab a guy's attention and your intelligence might impress him, making his shoulders shake could be a way to seal the connection.

For more info:

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"Sex burns calories, tips on losing weight while dating"

"Steve Harvey: 'Act Like a Lady'"

VH1 video episode "Analyze This" Ochocinco's "The Ultimate Catch"

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