Absurd Quote by Mel Brooks
“Comedy is serious - deadly serious. Never, never try to be funny! The actors must be serious. Only the situation must be absurd. Funny is in the writing, not in the performing. If the situation isn't absurd, no amount of joke will help.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1995
Comedy should be grounded in absurd situations, not forced jokes; seriousness in performance lets absurdity shine.
In simple terms: Absurd situations, not jokes, create humor.
Key Takeaway
Focus on creating absurd scenarios.
Themes
comedy
theatre
absurdity
Mood
humorous
insightful
Type
theatrical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scriptwriting
- improv
- stage direction
- film directing
Key Concepts
writing
performance
tone
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers balance seriousness and absurdity?
- What makes an absurd situation funny?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on seriousness may stifle spontaneity.
![“You just can't take yourself too seriously, especially in comedy. You shouldn't try to be funny, but you should try to be as honest as possible. The extreme end of honesty is usually what's funny. That's your job [as an actor]. You just have to let people see it.” quote by Paula Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2c0/paula-patton-11845_actors_you-just-can-t-take-yourself-too-serious_1600211.jpg)
![“Comedy is lively, comedy is joy, and that's what keeps us [people] going, we've got to look forward to little, little happiness's. Little, little joys, and comedy is very, very important, it's a vital. We underestimate its value, but we should see more comedies. Comedy is life giving, it's…” quote by Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/936/mel-brooks-2308_believe_comedy-is-lively-comedy-is-joy-and-that_36043.jpg)
![“The audience. They see the name Mel Brooks, they want something really funny. They don't want to be moved; they don't want to be taught any lessons. [...] I get more letters for Twelve Chairs and Life Stinks than I get from any other movies, because people actually agree with the philosophy…” quote by Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/516/mel-brooks-2308_agree_the-audience-they-see-the-name-mel-brook_114482.jpg)
