--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes…" description: "\"I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not from the jokes. I d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg" --- # I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from… ![“I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not from the jokes. I don't think jokes are funny. Humor comes out of character and out of situations the character is in.” quote by Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg) > “I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not from the jokes. I don't think jokes are funny. Humor comes out of character and out of situations the character is in.” [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor arises from character and situation, not jokes; the performer focuses on acting rather than punchlines. **In simple terms:** Humor comes from character, not jokes. Key Takeaway Prioritize character-driven comedy. Themes comedy character performance Mood analytical thoughtful Type theatrical educational When to use this quote - stand‑up - sketch comedy - improv shows - writing workshops Key Concepts improvisation theatrical technique Questions to Reflect On - How does character shape comedic effect? - Can situational humor replace jokes? A Different Perspective Jokes still matter to audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Distinguishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-distinguishes-3968812/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Bug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bug/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Distinguishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguishes/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Funny humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny-humor/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Jokes Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes-don-491989/) [Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot/) [Other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/other/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second/) [Second city](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-city/) [Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situations/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) ## Related quotes > [Innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/innovation-distinguishes-a-leader-from-a-follower/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [What distinguishes us one from another is our dreams, and what we do to make them come about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-epstein/what-distinguishes-us-one-from-another-is-our-dreams-and-what-we-do/) [Joseph Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-epstein/) > [After I joined Toyota, there was a period when I drove more than 200 cars in one year - different types, other companies' cars.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-toyoda/after-i-joined-toyota-there-was-a-period-when-i-drove-more-than-200/) [Akio Toyoda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-toyoda/) > [“You need not look different everyday... Your work distinguishes you from others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lovely-goyal/you-need-not-look-different-everyday-your-work-distinguishes-you-from/) [Lovely Goyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lovely-goyal/) > [“They have something of which they are proud. What do they call it, that which makes them proud? Culture, they call it; it distinguishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/they-have-something-of-which-they-are-proud-what-do-they-call-it-that/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Given that we glimpse what distinguishes man from the beast, is there anything that distinguishes woman from man?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-l-george/given-that-we-glimpse-what-distinguishes-man-from-the-beast-is-there/) [W. L. George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-l-george/) > [Ardor, n. The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ardor-n-the-quality-that-distinguishes-love-without-knowledge/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [As a woman, I've learned that having a uniform of your staples or setting your look and saying what distinguishes you - like red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/as-a-woman-i-ve-learned-that-having-a-uniform-of-your-staples-or/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [Given the brevity of our time here, it does seem likely that our species, too, must have at best a blinkered understanding of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-russell/given-the-brevity-of-our-time-here-it-does-seem-likely-that-our/) [Karen Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-russell/) > [Let's say intelligence is your ability to compose poetry, symphonies, do art, math and science. Chimps can't do any of that, yet we share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/let-s-say-intelligence-is-your-ability-to-compose-poetry-symphonies/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. We can be aware of being aware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/it-is-what-makes-us-human-what-distinguishes-us-from-other-animals-we/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Ambition characterizes and distinguishes national officeholders from other kinds of human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cotton/ambition-characterizes-and-distinguishes-national-officeholders-from/) [Tom Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cotton/) > [That which distinguishes man from the brute is his power, in dealing with Nature, to milk her laws, and make them give forth their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/that-which-distinguishes-man-from-the-brute-is-his-power-in-dealing/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Proud 2 Pay - that's something that distinguishes me, that's something that defines me, and we're going to keep that going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nipsey-hussle/proud-2-pay-that-s-something-that-distinguishes-me-that-s-something/) [Nipsey Hussle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nipsey-hussle/) > [Of all living things, only humans consciously anticipate death; the consequent need to choose how to behave in its face - to worry about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-gilpin-faust/of-all-living-things-only-humans-consciously-anticipate-death-the/) [Drew Gilpin Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-gilpin-faust/) ## More by Bernard Sahlins > [Improvisation is not a presentational form, except in small doses, or as a game. It's a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/improvisation-is-not-a-presentational-form-except-in-small-doses-or/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) > [If you're talking down to the audience, no matter how brutish it is, they know it and they hate you for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/if-you-re-talking-down-to-the-audience-no-matter-how-brutish-it-is/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) > [My theory is that everything an actor does, from the way he looks at his watch to the way he moves across the stage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/my-theory-is-that-everything-an-actor-does-from-the-way-he-looks-at/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) > [I think improvisation is a technique and a tool. I think that even the best of them fail most of the time, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-think-improvisation-is-a-technique-and-a-tool-i-think-that-even-the/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) > [Actually being funny is mostly telling the truth about things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/actually-being-funny-is-mostly-telling-the-truth-about-things/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) [Explore all 6 Bernard Sahlins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not from the jokes. I don't think jokes are funny. Humor comes out of character and out of situations the character is in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bernard Sahlins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes-second-city-from-a-lot-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes-second-city-from-a-lot-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/bernard-sahlins-55263_acting_i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes_1254931.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the…” — Bernard Sahlins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bernard Sahlins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm a bug on acting, which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes-second-city-from-a-lot-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes-second-city-from-a-lot-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```