---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you do something that is not gags and…"
description: "\"If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is character-based, where there are no jokes as such, then it all has to come from a place of t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg"
---

#  If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is…

![“If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is character-based, where there are no jokes as such, then it all has to come from a place of truth, and I love that - I love nothing more than getting very serious about my comedy.” quote by Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg)

> “If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is character-based, where there are no jokes as such, then it all has to come from a place of truth, and I love that - I love nothing more than getting very serious about my comedy.”

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Comedy rooted in truth requires depth, not just jokes; seriousness enriches humor

**In simple terms:** Seriousness fuels authentic comedy

Key Takeaway

Seek truth in humor

Themes

creativity authenticity humor

Mood

thoughtful playful

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- Comedy writing workshops
- satirical journalism
- personal storytelling

Key Concepts

Stand‑up improvisation writing performance

Questions to Reflect On

- What personal truths can you translate into comedy?
- How to balance seriousness with audience expectations?

A Different Perspective

Truth may limit broad audience appeal

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Based Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-jokes-3032626/) [Character Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-based-607815/) [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting/) [Getting Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-comedy-2893299/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [I love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-love/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place/) [Place Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-truth-785548/) [Punchlines Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punchlines-character-4483449/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Then](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/then/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Very](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/)

## Related quotes

> [“But a system made secure by the protective plating of humor and pretense always runs the risk of having its protection get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/but-a-system-made-secure-by-the-protective-plating-of-humor-and/)

[Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/)

> [When generally people make race-based jokes to me - even if they're not technically racist, they're sort of based on me being Pakistani or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/when-generally-people-make-race-based-jokes-to-me-even-if-they-re-not/)

[Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/)

> [I liked horror and comedy, basically, from a young age, but I just ended up getting into comedy because there was - I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barratt/i-liked-horror-and-comedy-basically-from-a-young-age-but-i-just-ended/)

[Julian Barratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barratt/)

> [Getting into comedy was difficult for my parents to comprehend. I think now they are really proud I stuck to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvonne-orji/getting-into-comedy-was-difficult-for-my-parents-to-comprehend-i/)

[Yvonne Orji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvonne-orji/)

> [For me, I wanted to write a book about getting into comedy. That's what I wanted to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/for-me-i-wanted-to-write-a-book-about-getting-into-comedy-that-s-what/)

[Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/)

> [For anybody that's looking at getting into comedy as stand-up or otherwise, the best advice to give is: Be original. Always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-cole/for-anybody-that-s-looking-at-getting-into-comedy-as-stand-up-or/)

[Deon Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-cole/)

> [Live, learn and then get love. The only true place you can find truth is in the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/live-learn-and-then-get-love-the-only-true-place-you-can-find-truth-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Why is it so important - what others have done? Why does it become sacred by the mere fact of not being your own?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/why-is-it-so-important-what-others-have-done-why-does-it-become/)

[Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/)

> [Math is the only place where truth and beauty mean the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danica-mckellar/math-is-the-only-place-where-truth-and-beauty-mean-the-same-thing/)

[Danica McKellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danica-mckellar/)

> [“In this age when reality is built on big lies, what better place for truth than fiction?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/in-this-age-when-reality-is-built-on-big-lies-what-better-place-for/)

[Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/)

> [Live,learn and then get love. The only true place you can find truth isin the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ag/live-learn-and-then-get-love-the-only-true-place-you-can-find-truth/)

[ÏÑ!Ñag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ag/)

> [“Power does not willingly give up its place to truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-horsley/power-does-not-willingly-give-up-its-place-to-truth/)

[Kate Horsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-horsley/)

> [With the wacky jokes that we do on 'Great News,' you do overall still want to be coming from a place of truth with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/briga-heelan/with-the-wacky-jokes-that-we-do-on-great-news-you-do-overall-still/)

[Briga Heelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/briga-heelan/)

> [Within the Gospel of Jesus Christ there is room and place for every truth thus far learned by man or yet to be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-talmage/within-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-there-is-room-and-place-for-every/)

[James E. Talmage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-talmage/)

> [Solitude is the natural dwelling place of truth…It is there you will wrestle. It is there you will be tested by fire and by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/solitude-is-the-natural-dwelling-place-of-truth-it-is-there-you-will/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Darren Boyd

> [Three and a half years in L.A. was enough for me. I would love to go back for short bursts if a film opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/three-and-a-half-years-in-l-a-was-enough-for-me-i-would-love-to-go/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I'm an avid reader myself, and what any one reader accesses at any one time is very powerful and personal to them. Clearly you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-m-an-avid-reader-myself-and-what-any-one-reader-accesses-at-any-one/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I think the idea of creating a character from scratch, one that has not been done in a novel or an existing story, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-think-the-idea-of-creating-a-character-from-scratch-one-that-has/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [It's funny - when you look at the real A-listers nowadays, look at how many live in and around Hollywood. Most of them live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/it-s-funny-when-you-look-at-the-real-a-listers-nowadays-look-at-how/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I'm not a comedian, I'm not a stand-up and I don't come from a comedy background. I am an actor, but I've had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-m-not-a-comedian-i-m-not-a-stand-up-and-i-don-t-come-from-a-comedy/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [For me, Glasgow is all about the people and the spirit of the place. You have enough Greggs bakers, though, Ill say that. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/for-me-glasgow-is-all-about-the-people-and-the-spirit-of-the-place/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [Telly and films has been my thing, not necessarily by choice, and if the right piece of theatre came along, I would jump at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/telly-and-films-has-been-my-thing-not-necessarily-by-choice-and-if/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [A friend of mine had died, and I went for an audition. It was weird and cathartic: the producer was very excited about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/a-friend-of-mine-had-died-and-i-went-for-an-audition-it-was-weird-and/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I used to get in trouble with my old agent, because I've never been driven by fear or need or greed. I want my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-used-to-get-in-trouble-with-my-old-agent-because-i-ve-never-been/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [After we'd filmed one series of 'Kiss Me Kate,' everyone was saying: 'The guy's got great comic timing,' - that was the first I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/after-we-d-filmed-one-series-of-kiss-me-kate-everyone-was-saying-the/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [Sometimes, and I hate to say it, you do feel things are asked for in the most ludicrously unrealistic fashion. The time you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/sometimes-and-i-hate-to-say-it-you-do-feel-things-are-asked-for-in/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [For me, Glasgow is all about the people and the spirit of the place. You have enough Gregg's bakers, though, I'll say that. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/for-me-glasgow-is-all-about-the-people-and-the-spirit-of-the-place-2/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [A character is as much about what you do as what you say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/a-character-is-as-much-about-what-you-do-as-what-you-say/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I come from a background where I like collaboration and improv. I think that it is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-come-from-a-background-where-i-like-collaboration-and-improv-i/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

> [I most enjoyed doing 'Whites,' a show BBC2 cancelled after one series. It had some beautiful, witty, charming scripts and was one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/i-most-enjoyed-doing-whites-a-show-bbc2-cancelled-after-one-series-it/)

[Darren Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

[Explore all 23 Darren Boyd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/)

## More About quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/)

[Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/)

[Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/)

> [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/)

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/)

[Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/)

> [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/)

[Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/)

> [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

[Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is character-based, where there are no jokes as such, then it all has to come from a place of truth, and I love that - I love nothing more than getting very serious about my comedy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Darren Boyd"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and-punchlines-and-is-character/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "About"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and-punchlines-and-is-character/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/darren-boyd-25403_about_if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and_2145026.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you do something that is not gags and punchlines and is character-based, where there are no jokes as…” — Darren Boyd",
                "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": "Darren Boyd",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-boyd/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you do something that is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and-punchlines-and-is-character/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-boyd/if-you-do-something-that-is-not-gags-and-punchlines-and-is-character/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
