---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I really think if you take away a…"
description: "\"I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.\" — Kunal Nayyar"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png"
---

#  I really think if you take away a character's obstacles…

![“I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.” quote by Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png)

> “I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.”

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

## About This Quote

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

Comedy relies on obstacles to create tension and humor; removing them eliminates conflict and laughter.

**In simple terms:** Obstacles create comedy.

Key Takeaway

Preserve conflict for humor.

Themes

comedy conflict humor

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

observational inspirational

When to use this quote

- stand‑up
- screenplay
- improv
- storytelling

Key Concepts

Narrative structure character development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you generate humor without obvious obstacles?
- What other elements can replace conflict?

A Different Perspective

A joke can still be funny without obstacles if delivered cleverly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-obstacles-4896400/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Obstacles Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles-comedy-4896399/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [“A long, loud, and canorous peal of laughter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-quincey/a-long-loud-and-canorous-peal-of-laughter/)

[Thomas de Quincey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-quincey/)

> [“Laughter sometimes hurts us, and sometimes it makes us feel better. No matter how down you feel... laughter brings a new ray of hope.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keiko-tobe/laughter-sometimes-hurts-us-and-sometimes-it-makes-us-feel-better-no/)

[Keiko Tobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keiko-tobe/)

> [I always worked on holidays when I had to wait tables and stuff like that, so I'm used to it, but now I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-redd/i-always-worked-on-holidays-when-i-had-to-wait-tables-and-stuff-like/)

[Chris Redd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-redd/)

> [The alternative comedy scene is actually pretty small, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/the-alternative-comedy-scene-is-actually-pretty-small-i-guess/)

[Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/)

> [I think if I have any kind of unique gift, it's more in the comedy area than it is in the dramatic area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sullivan/i-think-if-i-have-any-kind-of-unique-gift-it-s-more-in-the-comedy/)

[Susan Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sullivan/)

> [Humor is the only reason to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/humor-is-the-only-reason-to-live/)

[Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/)

> [You can't cheat comedy. You know, it either is going to be there on the day you capture or it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lin/you-can-t-cheat-comedy-you-know-it-either-is-going-to-be-there-on-the/)

[Justin Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lin/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [All comedy comes from a dark place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katt-williams/all-comedy-comes-from-a-dark-place/)

[Katt Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katt-williams/)

> [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/)

[Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/)

> [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/)

[Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [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/)

> ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/)

[Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/)

## More by Kunal Nayyar

> [It all started with the most basic level of Uta Hagen, right at the beginning. I'm like, 'Really? I came to grad school; I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/it-all-started-with-the-most-basic-level-of-uta-hagen-right-at-the/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [“You see, love doesn’t belong to anyone. You can’t force it on someone and you can’t take it away from someone. The more you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/you-see-love-doesn-t-belong-to-anyone-you-can-t-force-it-on-someone/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I was pretty awkward when I was young, but I was never afraid of putting myself out there. I would say stupid things but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-was-pretty-awkward-when-i-was-young-but-i-was-never-afraid-of/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I have a fear of heights and I'm claustrophobic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-have-a-fear-of-heights-and-i-m-claustrophobic/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [Sometimes I'll be sitting with my friends; I'll say something Koothrappali-esque and make a face. There is a lot of Koothrappali in me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/sometimes-i-ll-be-sitting-with-my-friends-i-ll-say-something/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [When we first started 'The Big Bang Theory,' I would get incredibly nervous because it's such a big show and I was just out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/when-we-first-started-the-big-bang-theory-i-would-get-incredibly/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I went to the University/Resident Theatre Association auditions. Deans come and watch you in this theater. You have three minutes, and you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-went-to-the-university-resident-theatre-association-auditions-deans/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [“If you have no other offers, take the one offer you have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/if-you-have-no-other-offers-take-the-one-offer-you-have/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [“Life doesn’t just fuck you over on a Saturday night when you’re blackout drunk; it can just as easily fuck you over on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/life-doesn-t-just-fuck-you-over-on-a-saturday-night-when-you-re/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I'm helping launch the new Milky Way Chocolate Ice Cream Bar. I play an astrophysicist on television, and the name of the bar is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-m-helping-launch-the-new-milky-way-chocolate-ice-cream-bar-i-play/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [Comic-Con has been an amazing experience. It's overwhelming, I have to admit, because of the lines and the crowds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/comic-con-has-been-an-amazing-experience-it-s-overwhelming-i-have-to/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I love video games. I love, love, love them! I also love 'Star Wars.' I wish Jedi was a true religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-love-video-games-i-love-love-love-them-i-also-love-star-wars-i-wish/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [I love going to the G4 sci-fi-type parties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-love-going-to-the-g4-sci-fi-type-parties/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [“Kunal, what's the point of weighing the pros and cons if you only have one option? There's nothing to think about. Move to Los…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/kunal-what-s-the-point-of-weighing-the-pros-and-cons-if-you-only-have/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

> [People at the University of Portland were accepting and loving and open-minded. When you have a safety net, it allows you to take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/people-at-the-university-of-portland-were-accepting-and-loving-and/)

[Kunal Nayyar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

[Explore all 34 Kunal Nayyar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

[David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/)

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

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

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/)

[Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kunal Nayyar"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-character-s-obstacles-then-there-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-character-s-obstacles-then-there-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/479/kunal-nayyar-18660_character_i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-charac_1398945.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.” — Kunal Nayyar",
                "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": "Kunal Nayyar",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-nayyar/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I really think if you take...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-character-s-obstacles-then-there-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-nayyar/i-really-think-if-you-take-away-a-character-s-obstacles-then-there-s/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
