Close Quote by Howard Jacobson

Why do all these people want [comedians] to be serious? The reason they want that is these are people who aren't funny. Anybody funny…

— Jon Lovitz

I'm not a comic. I'm a humorist.

— Dick Gregory

Comedy is a great tool. We [comics] are trying to find ways to use humor to enlighten people without preaching to them.

— Trevor Noah

Any comic is a tragic soul. Comedy is one of the things that allows one to survive. Particularly if one has been in the…

— Twyla Tharp

It often seems that, for whatever strange reasons, comedians, in addition to their formal performances, have more comic experiences in real life than other…

— Steve Allen

If you play comedic scenes like they're really serious, then it's so much more funny than if you're going for a laugh.

— Patton Oswalt

I never worry about people not taking my work seriously as a result of the humor. In the end, the comic's best trick is…

— Richard Russo

Funny comes in different levels. Like not looking seasoned, or not looking prepared, the way that an actual comic should look, becomes funny.

— Deon Cole

There are many comics around who don't really have a feel for comedy. They can say outrageous things, have clever thoughts, and deliver some…

— Ronnie Corbett

Humor is not the opposite of seriousness. Humor is the opposite of despair.

— Conrad Hyers

Sure, the comedians who swear or use scatological humor can get laughs, but they're uncomfortable laughs.

— John Ratzenberger

As far as I can tell, comedians are pretty serious people, and that's why they make fun of things all of the time.

— Maria Bamford