Whether you’re smirking at Puck’s schemes in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or cringing at Michael Scott’s antics on “The Office,” the power of comedy is undeniable. But what makes something funny? Let’s dive into the craft of comedy and how you can harness its power for your own creative work.
Comedy is a genre in theater, film, TV, and live performance that aims to entertain and make people laugh through comedic formats like jokes, satire, irony, and wit. It’s a powerful tool for social commentary that can highlight life's absurdities while creating that sweet release of tension we all need (hey, they don’t call it comic relief for nothing).
What are the origins and evolution of comedy?
Theater: The concept of comedy dates back to ancient Greek and Roman theaters, when playwrights like Aristophanes and Plautus used their wit to roast politicians and society at large. The Middle Ages saw the rise of commedia dell’arte in Italy, while the Renaissance introduced Shakespearean comedies with their wit and wordplay. Later, playwrights like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw brought a new level of linguistic sophistication to comedy.
Film: In the early years of Hollywood, hilarious silent films like those starring Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin reigned supreme, with the latter using the medium as a vehicle for political critique. Comedy continued to be used as a tool for social commentary throughout the 1960s, by addressing issues such as war, sexuality, morality, and family dynamics. The ’70s brought about parody films like those in the Mel Brooks canon, while the ’80s gave us the quirky genius of John Hughes.
The ’90s and 2000s blurred the lines between comedy and other movie genres—think of rom-coms like “When Harry Met Sally,” dramedies like “Empire Records,” and mockumentaries like “Borat.” The 2000s also saw the golden age of comedy movies, with now-classics like “Step Brothers,” “Tropic Thunder,” “Pineapple Express,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” all released in 2008.
TV: Radio introduced shows like “The Jack Benny Program” and “Fibber McGee and Molly,” paving the way for early television sitcoms such as “I Love Lucy.” Later sitcoms like “Cheers,” “Friends,” and “Seinfeld” took the world by storm (with the latter attracting 76 million viewers for the series finale).
Live shows: The Second City improv troupe in Chicago gave rise to comedy legends like John Belushi and Tina Fey, while sketch comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live” provided a platform for new voices.
Characteristics of comedy
Subverting expectations: Think you know where a joke's going? Think again! The best comedy leads you down one path, then hits you with a twist. Just look at Lucille Ball in “I Love Lucy”—she didn't just defy expectations, she completely shattered them by bringing traditionally masculine slapstick into her feminine performance style. We dare you to not to laugh while watching her iconic job-switching scene.
Exaggeration and absurdity: Exaggerating situations or characters beyond what’s realistic is a classic comedy move. The mix of absurdity and over-the-top elements and all-too-realism results in an entertaining mix that audiences love. Take “This Is the End”—it’s not just about celebrities surviving an apocalypse, it’s also about food rationing, giant demons, cannibalism, and even Jonah Hill needing an exorcism. Because why not?
Timing and delivery: The delivery of a joke, punchline, or physical gag can make all the difference in getting a giggle or a crying laugh. Beyond delivery, timing is also about building tension and knowing exactly when to release it. Just take a look at this scene from “Seinfeld.” Notice how the comedic setup of Kramer’s “I hate the counter” sets up every beat of missed dialogue as a joke.
Satire and social commentary: The best comedies make us think by delivering hard truths, like the social and political criticism in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Don’t Look Up,” or any number of standup comedian sets. One of the most iconic is George Carlin’s “seven dirty words,” which pokes fun at the FCC and the absurdity of censorship.
Let’s take a look across mediums and dive into some pillars of comedy in theater, film, television, and standup.
“The Book of Mormon” (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, 2011)
Who says the stage has to be serious? Just ask the creators of “The Book of Mormon,” who proved that even Broadway can handle South Park–style humor—and rake in Tony Awards doing it. The musical comedy, which follows two mismatched Mormon elders on their evangelical mission to Uganda, satirizes it all—from religious expectations to HIV, falling in love to suppressing true desires.
“Superbad” (Greg Mottola, 2007)
The film, written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, explores the self-awareness, insecurity, and touchingly authentic moments of being a teenager, making it a timeless addition to the coming-of-age film canon—and not just because we like laughing at McLovin,’ we swear.
“The Office” U.S. (2005–2013)
The mockumentary format has become increasingly popular, with shows like “Parks and Recreation,” “Modern Family,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but few do it better than “The Office.” The workplace comedy is stacked with powerhouse comedic performers including Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, and John Krasinski—and was still the No. 1 streamed show in 2020, seven years after completion. (That's what she said.)
“Live on the Sunset Strip” (Richard Pryor, 1982)
Pryor was among the first standup comedians to hold a mirror to society and call out his observations with a raw, honest, and fearless approach that broke barriers and influenced a generation of comedians. In “Live on the Sunset Strip,” he addressed everything from freebasing cocaine to the intricacies of relationships.
1. Understand the audience.
Knowing your audience is crucial. But don’t pander to your audience—find your comedic voice and trust that your people will find you. If you think it’s funny, others will too.
2. Be original.
Whether it’s Jason Segel’s goofball charm or Quinta Brunson’s heart-filled humor, originality is key in comedy. As you continue to refine your comedic craft, your voice and perspective will come through and bring authenticity to your work.
3. Master comedic timing.
Learn how to build tension and create anticipation—and know exactly when to release it. Study the greats and practice, practice, practice.
4. Embrace improv.
Want to follow in the footsteps of Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and Jordan Peele? Get yourself into an improv class. Even if you don’t become the next “SNL” star, you’ll learn invaluable lessons about thinking on your feet—which is vital to becoming a comedy actor.
5. Learn from feedback.
Feedback is a goldmine for improvement—that is, of course, if you’re courageous enough to bomb, fail, and face a bit of humiliation. Whether it comes from a live audience or comedy auditions for a role, be open to notes. The key is learning from those moments and coming back stronger. Remember: bombing isn’t failure—it's research.