--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The one thing I think I've noticed about…" description: "\"The one thing I think I've noticed about shows that are supposed to be funny on television is that they've sort of become routinized, so there's an awf..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/alan-alda-1859_about_the-one-thing-i-think-i-ve-noticed-about_2717652.png" --- # The one thing I think I've noticed about shows that are… ![“The one thing I think I've noticed about shows that are supposed to be funny on television is that they've sort of become routinized, so there's an awful lot of mannerisms and joke lines that are sort of there to trigger laughter, rather than give actors a chance to play a moment.” quote by Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/alan-alda-1859_about_the-one-thing-i-think-i-ve-noticed-about_2717652.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/alan-alda-1859_about_the-one-thing-i-think-i-ve-noticed-about_2717652.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/alan-alda-1859_about_the-one-thing-i-think-i-ve-noticed-about_2717652.png) > “The one thing I think I've noticed about shows that are supposed to be funny on television is that they've sort of become routinized, so there's an awful lot of mannerisms and joke lines that are sort of there to trigger laughter, rather than give actors a chance to play a moment.” [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Television comedy has become formulaic, relying on predictable jokes instead of genuine performance. **In simple terms:** Comedy is now routine, lacking spontaneity. Key Takeaway Seek authentic humor over canned jokes. Themes comedy media authenticity Mood critical reflective Type observational analytical When to use this quote - writing sitcoms - stand‑up routines - improv workshops - television production Key Concepts formulaic humor performance audience expectations Questions to Reflect On - How can writers balance structure with spontaneity? - What risks arise from over‑reliance on formula? A Different Perspective Humor can still be spontaneous if creators prioritize character over punchlines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I've done shows before where it's supposed to be about the women, and then it quickly turns out it isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-rundle/i-ve-done-shows-before-where-it-s-supposed-to-be-about-the-women-and/) [Sophie Rundle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-rundle/) > [Even though I do a more traditional type of being funny on television, I still know a lot of comedians and stand-ups and improv…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busy-philipps/even-though-i-do-a-more-traditional-type-of-being-funny-on-television/) [Busy Philipps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busy-philipps/) > [I've just seen really, really funny guys, and if I didn't know them, I wouldn't know they were funny from the television. 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Its supposed to tell the truth and then that's funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-patton/comedy-is-not-supposed-to-be-funny-its-supposed-to-tell-the-truth-and/) [Paula Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-patton/) > [You see a lot of comedic content that's not funny, and you can tell that it's supposed to be funny, but it's actually not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-krisel/you-see-a-lot-of-comedic-content-that-s-not-funny-and-you-can-tell/) [Jonathan Krisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-krisel/) ## More by Alan Alda > [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [We need to be more conversant with it because science is in our lives. It's in everything. 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