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Comedy Quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“The strongest should come first in comedy because once a character is really established as funny everything he does is funny.” quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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““The strongest should come first in comedy because once a character is really established as funny everything he does is funny.””

F. Scott Fitzgerald

About This Quote

Source Film: The Great Gatsby (1934), screenplay adaptation

Comedy works best when the strongest character is introduced early, establishing a baseline of humor that makes all later actions funny.

In simple terms: Start with a strong funny character to set the tone.

Key Takeaway

Introduce humor early to sustain comedy.

Themes

comedy character development timing

Mood

lighthearted confident

Type

observational entertaining

When to use this quote

  • stand‑up routine
  • sitcom pilot
  • theatrical sketch
  • improv performance

Key Concepts

humor theory audience expectation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does early humor affect audience engagement?
  • What risks arise from relying on a single strong character?
A Different Perspective

If the character isn’t genuinely funny, the whole piece may fall flat.

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