--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, my preference for comedy is…" description: "\"For me, my preference for comedy is grounding it in the psychology of the character, and not just kind of making faces. Even when it's a crazy characte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/matt-mcgorry-17056_because_for-me-my-preference-for-comedy-is-groun_707081.jpg" --- # For me, my preference for comedy is grounding it in the… ![“For me, my preference for comedy is grounding it in the psychology of the character, and not just kind of making faces. Even when it's a crazy character, grounded comedy resonates more with people because it doesn't look like you're watching someone do vaudeville. No offense to vaudeville.” quote by Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/matt-mcgorry-17056_because_for-me-my-preference-for-comedy-is-groun_707081.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/matt-mcgorry-17056_because_for-me-my-preference-for-comedy-is-groun_707081.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/matt-mcgorry-17056_because_for-me-my-preference-for-comedy-is-groun_707081.jpg) > “For me, my preference for comedy is grounding it in the psychology of the character, and not just kind of making faces. Even when it's a crazy character, grounded comedy resonates more with people because it doesn't look like you're watching someone do vaudeville. No offense to vaudeville.” [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy works best when it reflects realistic mental states rather than exaggerated slapstick, making characters relatable and humor authentic. **In simple terms:** Grounded humor feels real and connects with audiences. Key Takeaway Focus on character psychology for true comedy. Themes comedy psychology character relatability Mood thoughtful analytical humorous Type observational inspirational When to use this quote - stand‑up routines - TV sitcoms - improv workshops - character development - scriptwriting Key Concepts authenticity human behavior storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How does understanding a character's mindset shape your jokes? - When does realism limit comedic exaggeration? A Different Perspective If the character is too absurd, humor can feel forced and alienating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Grounding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grounding/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Preference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preference/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Vaudeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vaudeville/) ## Related quotes > [There's truth in comedy, and that resonates with people of all races.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-williams/there-s-truth-in-comedy-and-that-resonates-with-people-of-all-races/) [Jessica Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-williams/) > [I like more grounded comedy. I enjoy broad comedies also, but I like Shirley MacLaine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-mann/i-like-more-grounded-comedy-i-enjoy-broad-comedies-also-but-i-like/) [Leslie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-mann/) > [The interesting trick of comedy, in a lot of ways, is to have both the comedy and the grounding of the real thing. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/the-interesting-trick-of-comedy-in-a-lot-of-ways-is-to-have-both-the/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [The artists that I love- whether painters or filmmakers- it's because something resonates in me because I've felt it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/the-artists-that-i-love-whether-painters-or-filmmakers-it-s-because/) [PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/) > [You have to have a strong idea for a hit movie, a strong core idea that resonates emotionally. It also has to technically achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-snider/you-have-to-have-a-strong-idea-for-a-hit-movie-a-strong-core-idea/) [Stacey Snider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-snider/) > [Your best as an artist is to create something that resonates for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/your-best-as-an-artist-is-to-create-something-that-resonates-for-you/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [I like to go to Africa purely with something to do. I'm not very comfortable getting into an armor-plated Land Rover and going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-albarn/i-like-to-go-to-africa-purely-with-something-to-do-i-m-not-very/) [Damon Albarn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-albarn/) > [When you sing a song of love, you're actually giving something to yourself, too. 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I've always dreamed of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/i-just-want-to-say-what-a-tremendous-honor-it-is-to-be-on-a-show-like/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > [I read all of the books by Tolkien, including 'The Hobbit,' when I was in my twenties, and his deep love of nature and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-shore/i-read-all-of-the-books-by-tolkien-including-the-hobbit-when-i-was-in/) [Howard Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-shore/) > [This is the kind of discovery that resonates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-perlmutter/this-is-the-kind-of-discovery-that-resonates/) [Saul Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-perlmutter/) > [I think if something resonates, even if it's surreal, it's because it is relatable and I think that that's a core issue for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-if-something-resonates-even-if-it-s-surreal-it-s-because-it/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) ## More by Matt McGorry > [Dating is sort of like auditioning. Even on your worst day, if you're right for the role, you're going to get another shot; you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/dating-is-sort-of-like-auditioning-even-on-your-worst-day-if-you-re/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I grew up in Chelsea on 22nd Street... I am really a native New Yorker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-grew-up-in-chelsea-on-22nd-street-i-am-really-a-native-new-yorker/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I started performing when I was 9 or 10, doing magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-started-performing-when-i-was-9-or-10-doing-magic/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [My character on 'Orange is the New Black' is not one that requires being absolutely shredded with 5% body fat. But I wouldn't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/my-character-on-orange-is-the-new-black-is-not-one-that-requires/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [Acting with someone else, I can't tell how good they are because if I'm doing my job right, I'm just fully invested in everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/acting-with-someone-else-i-can-t-tell-how-good-they-are-because-if-i/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [It'll be interesting to see if I ever have to play a typical, bland romantic interest. 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I like sticking out a little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-d-feel-weird-on-a-show-where-it-was-a-bunch-of-dudes-that-are-my/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [We need to create a society where girls and women are getting the same encouragement and support to build their careers as the boys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/we-need-to-create-a-society-where-girls-and-women-are-getting-the/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I was a personal trainer for about a decade. I competed in powerlifting, and I did a bodybuilding competition. I was heavily entrenched in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-was-a-personal-trainer-for-about-a-decade-i-competed-in/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I had a lot of nerves for a long time about career-oriented things, and I've slowly sort of let myself relax into it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-had-a-lot-of-nerves-for-a-long-time-about-career-oriented-things/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [In 2010, I was ranked top 50 in the deadlift in three different weight classes, and I won my first natural bodybuilding competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/in-2010-i-was-ranked-top-50-in-the-deadlift-in-three-different-weight/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [As for my personal style, I like comfort a lot, like jeans and T-shirts. Having been a trainer for so long, I spend a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/as-for-my-personal-style-i-like-comfort-a-lot-like-jeans-and-t-shirts/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I feel like my early experiences of acting, and I think a lot of other actors' too, are probably at camp or school plays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-feel-like-my-early-experiences-of-acting-and-i-think-a-lot-of-other/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) > [I never particularly thought of myself as great with girls. 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Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [There were songs that we cut out after we chose the name, because 'Praise Break' turned out to be an underlying concept that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/there-were-songs-that-we-cut-out-after-we-chose-the-name-because/) [Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I was also known as Frodo because I was an early adopter of 'The Lord of the Rings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/i-was-also-known-as-frodo-because-i-was-an-early-adopter-of-the-lord/) [Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/) > [I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don't want people to have to suffer. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-believe-in-taxation-and-health-care-that-is-outside-the-usual/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/) [Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [Sometimes, when full and in fear that I will continue to eat unwanted food just because it's staring at me, I will place my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/sometimes-when-full-and-in-fear-that-i-will-continue-to-eat-unwanted/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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