---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems that two of the most basic forms…"
description: "\"It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are jokes and stories. And, of course, they are not mutually exclusive.\" — Demetri Martin"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg"
---

#  It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are…

![“It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are jokes and stories. And, of course, they are not mutually exclusive.” quote by Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg)

> “It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are jokes and stories. And, of course, they are not mutually exclusive.”

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

## About This Quote

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

Comedy often blends jokes and stories, showing they can coexist and enhance humor.

**In simple terms:** Jokes and stories both make comedy.

Key Takeaway

Blend jokes and stories for richer humor.

Themes

humor creativity storytelling

Mood

playful insightful

Type

observational humorous

When to use this quote

- Stand‑up routine
- writing workshops
- podcast episodes

Key Concepts

Narrative structure comic timing

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance joke brevity with story depth?
- When does a story become too long for comedy?

A Different Perspective

Some audiences prefer pure jokes or pure stories, limiting blend effectiveness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Basic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Comedy Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy-jokes-778478/) [Course](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/course/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Exclusive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exclusive/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Forms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forms/) [Forms Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forms-comedy-329412/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Jokes Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes-stories-612186/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Mutually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutually/) [Mutually exclusive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutually-exclusive/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/)

## Related quotes

> [As a reader and a writer, I'm happiest when apparently mutually exclusive states can somehow coexist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/as-a-reader-and-a-writer-i-m-happiest-when-apparently-mutually/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [Some people argue that we should limit choice in favour of good local services. My response is simple: why should we assume those two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hutton/some-people-argue-that-we-should-limit-choice-in-favour-of-good-local/)

[John Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hutton/)

> [I believe we're making a mistake if we regard job creation and job safety as mutually exclusive or inherently in conflict; they can and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-perez/i-believe-we-re-making-a-mistake-if-we-regard-job-creation-and-job/)

[Thomas Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-perez/)

> [I always tell people this: to be a savvy politician or a good head of state and to be charitable are not mutually exclusive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-always-tell-people-this-to-be-a-savvy-politician-or-a-good-head-of/)

[Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/)

> [“Feminism and Femininity are not mutually exclusive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/feminism-and-femininity-are-not-mutually-exclusive/)

[Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/)

> [Strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/strength-and-compassion-are-not-mutually-exclusive/)

[Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/)

> [In California, we have some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. While it is easy to conceive of innovation and regulation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/in-california-we-have-some-of-the-strongest-consumer-protection-laws/)

[Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/)

> [I am not saying that government has nothing to offer. Government has an important role in fostering an environment conducive to business creation while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sher-valenzuela/i-am-not-saying-that-government-has-nothing-to-offer-government-has/)

[Sher Valenzuela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sher-valenzuela/)

> [Economics and ethics are not mutually exclusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-tiger/economics-and-ethics-are-not-mutually-exclusive/)

[Lionel Tiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-tiger/)

> [“I can love you and be pissed at the same time. They're not mutually exclusive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-young/i-can-love-you-and-be-pissed-at-the-same-time-they-re-not-mutually/)

[Suzanne Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-young/)

> [The very moment you understand that being a Muslim and being American or European are not mutually exclusive, you enrich your society. Promote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/the-very-moment-you-understand-that-being-a-muslim-and-being-american/)

[Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/)

> [You can be funny and say what you mean; these ideas are not mutually exclusive. Some of the best jokes came from people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/you-can-be-funny-and-say-what-you-mean-these-ideas-are-not-mutually/)

[Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/)

> [Governmental intervention and personal responsibility are not mutually exclusive issues, but they do frame a 'do it ourselves' vs. 'what are you doing for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/governmental-intervention-and-personal-responsibility-are-not/)

[John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/)

> [I'm not going to force your participation in a conversation, I'm going to say I can be an example that these things can exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julien-baker/i-m-not-going-to-force-your-participation-in-a-conversation-i-m-going/)

[Julien Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julien-baker/)

> [I think stand-up now will burn out. I think probably sketch or something will come back into fashion. I think other forms of comedy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhod-gilbert/i-think-stand-up-now-will-burn-out-i-think-probably-sketch-or/)

[Rhod Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhod-gilbert/)

## More by Demetri Martin

> [I think hair gel was invented to make it easier to identify assholes from a distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-think-hair-gel-was-invented-to-make-it-easier-to-identify-assholes/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [Tic Tacs are the maracas of breath mints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/tic-tacs-are-the-maracas-of-breath-mints/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [When someone describes themself as a taxpayer, they're about to be an asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/when-someone-describes-themself-as-a-taxpayer-they-re-about-to-be-an/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [I think they named the orange before the carrot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-think-they-named-the-orange-before-the-carrot/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [I like to go to concerts because I love to see my favorite band through the phone of the asshole who's standing in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-like-to-go-to-concerts-because-i-love-to-see-my-favorite-band/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [How fast does a zebra have to run before it looks gray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/how-fast-does-a-zebra-have-to-run-before-it-looks-gray/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [Skiing is my favorite sport, because, that's the only sport that is actually better to watch the worst the person is at it. "That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/skiing-is-my-favorite-sport-because-that-s-the-only-sport-that-is/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [I know about Woodstock probably as much as your average person who is over 30, where I'd know Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-know-about-woodstock-probably-as-much-as-your-average-person-who-is/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [Never be less interesting than your refrigerator magnets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/never-be-less-interesting-than-your-refrigerator-magnets/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [I bought a cactus. A week later it died. And I got depressed, because I thought, Damn. I am less nurturing than a desert.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-bought-a-cactus-a-week-later-it-died-and-i-got-depressed-because-i/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [A Wednesday with no rain is a dry hump day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/a-wednesday-with-no-rain-is-a-dry-hump-day/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [THING TO TRY: If you are asked to describe a suspect to a police sketch artist, describe in precise detail, the features of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/thing-to-try-if-you-are-asked-to-describe-a-suspect-to-a-police/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [If you happen to catch on fire during the show, do not panic or wave your arms around or scream or we wil give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/if-you-happen-to-catch-on-fire-during-the-show-do-not-panic-or-wave/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [They say that structure is freedom, and in a sense it is. When you're dealing with multiple constraints, you have to figure out what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/they-say-that-structure-is-freedom-and-in-a-sense-it-is-when-you-re/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

> [I think my favorite sound is the sound of someone not playing the bongos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-think-my-favorite-sound-is-the-sound-of-someone-not-playing-the/)

[Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

[Explore all 508 Demetri Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/)

## More Basic quotes

> [It turns out that this part of the brain is one of the first areas that's attacked by Alzheimer's disease. So we can now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-keefe/it-turns-out-that-this-part-of-the-brain-is-one-of-the-first-areas/)

[John O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-keefe/)

> [The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-p-schneider/the-most-successful-cultural-diplomacy-strategy-integrates-people-to/)

[Cynthia P. Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-p-schneider/)

> [I'm not very interested in people. I recognize it in myself - there is a basic indifference toward people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-m-not-very-interested-in-people-i-recognize-it-in-myself-there-is-a/)

[Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/)

> [Once I get out onstage, it's the same sort of basic production that it is anywhere else. But I might be a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-snow/once-i-get-out-onstage-it-s-the-same-sort-of-basic-production-that-it/)

[Phoebe Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-snow/)

> [I firmly believe that if members of Congress fail to perform their most basic duty in passing a budget, then they do not deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/i-firmly-believe-that-if-members-of-congress-fail-to-perform-their/)

[Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/)

> [Conservatism is about the basic rights of individuals. God created us. As far as the government goes, the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/conservatism-is-about-the-basic-rights-of-individuals-god-created-us/)

[Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/)

> [During three decades from 1947 to 1977, the nation implemented what might be called a basic bargain with American workers. Employers paid them enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/during-three-decades-from-1947-to-1977-the-nation-implemented-what/)

[Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/)

> [With post offices and postal workers already on the ground, USPS could partner with banks to make a critical difference for millions of Americans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/with-post-offices-and-postal-workers-already-on-the-ground-usps-could/)

[Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/)

> [We hope that the elected officials will respond positively to a ground swell of letters, phone calls, e-mails and visits from parents. The law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-hope-that-the-elected-officials-will-respond-positively-to-a/)

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

> [Had Elizabeth Bennet known how wildly Darcy's heart beat for her, 'Pride and Prejudice' would barely have made it into a short story. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariella-frostrup/had-elizabeth-bennet-known-how-wildly-darcy-s-heart-beat-for-her/)

[Mariella Frostrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariella-frostrup/)

> [I think it's impossible to maintain a good, strong, muscular physique without taking some supplements. Between the protein shakes and the multivitamins that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gatt/i-think-it-s-impossible-to-maintain-a-good-strong-muscular-physique/)

[Joseph Gatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gatt/)

> [The Icesave matter is complex and it is understandable that the issue has been oversimplified by many. Unfortunately some of the basic facts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-siguroardottir/the-icesave-matter-is-complex-and-it-is-understandable-that-the-issue/)

[Johanna Siguroardottir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-siguroardottir/)

> [“The late-afternoon light was thick and orange and she passed four different couples taking photos of themselves on the same cobblestoned block, all their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-lacey/the-late-afternoon-light-was-thick-and-orange-and-she-passed-four/)

[Catherine Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-lacey/)

> [Why do we do basic research? To learn about ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-gilbert/why-do-we-do-basic-research-to-learn-about-ourselves/)

[Walter Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-gilbert/)

> [Most of all, I am struck by an irony central to the lot of a purebred dog: As it attains the hallmarks of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-hanff-korelitz/most-of-all-i-am-struck-by-an-irony-central-to-the-lot-of-a-purebred/)

[Jean Hanff Korelitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-hanff-korelitz/)

[Browse all 478 Basic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are jokes and stories. And, of course, they are not mutually exclusive.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Demetri Martin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-forms-of-comedy-are-jokes-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Basic"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-forms-of-comedy-are-jokes-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/demetri-martin-511_basic_it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-form_1154997.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It seems that two of the most basic forms of comedy are jokes and stories. And, of course, they are not…” — Demetri Martin",
                "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": "Demetri Martin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It seems that two of the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-forms-of-comedy-are-jokes-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/it-seems-that-two-of-the-most-basic-forms-of-comedy-are-jokes-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
