Books Quote by Michael Dirda
“I once read that in vaudeville, it was often the straight guy who got paid more than the comic because that's the tougher job. He has to set up the jokes in just the right way.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Cultural commentary on vaudeville performance
The straight man in comedy is often undervalued despite being essential for setting up jokes, highlighting the hidden difficulty of the role.
In simple terms: Straight men set up jokes and are crucial but underpaid.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the craft of joke setup.
Themes
comedy
performance
economics
skill
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
critical
Type
explanatory
insightful
When to use this quote
- stand‑up shows
- theater rehearsals
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
role dynamics
pay disparity
stagecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is the straight man's work less recognized?
- How can we value all comedic roles equally?
A Different Perspective
Pay gaps may reflect broader industry inequities.
![“Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics - feel that [Kurt] Vonnegut started to repeat himself, to grow increasingly self-indulgent and meandering, and to sometimes just blather in his later work. But his books up…” quote by Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ed7/michael-dirda-3414_1960s_nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-li_13506.jpg)
