---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's the thing that most people don't…"
description: "\"That's the thing that most people don't realize. In real life, comedians aren't funny. They save it. They save it up.\" — Michael Showalter"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35b/michael-showalter-14725_comedian_that-s-the-thing-that-most-people-don-t_1696992.png"
---

#  That's the thing that most people don't realize. In real…

![“That's the thing that most people don't realize. In real life, comedians aren't funny. They save it. They save it up.” quote by Michael Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35b/michael-showalter-14725_comedian_that-s-the-thing-that-most-people-don-t_1696992.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35b/michael-showalter-14725_comedian_that-s-the-thing-that-most-people-don-t_1696992.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35b/michael-showalter-14725_comedian_that-s-the-thing-that-most-people-don-t_1696992.png)

> “That's the thing that most people don't realize. In real life, comedians aren't funny. They save it. They save it up.”

[Michael Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-showalter/)

## About This Quote

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

Comedians often hold back humor in everyday life, saving it for performance, which means they may seem serious offstage

**In simple terms:** Comedians keep jokes for the stage, not daily life

Key Takeaway

Recognize that humor can be a professional tool, not a constant trait

Themes

humor self‑control performance art

Mood

playful reflective

Type

observational self‑aware

When to use this quote

- Stand‑up shows
- writing rooms
- social gatherings

Key Concepts

Comedy timing emotional regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you ever feel pressure to be funny outside work?
- How does saving jokes affect your relationships?

A Different Perspective

Relying on a comedic persona can create personal disconnect

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## Related quotes

> [In real life, comedians aren't funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-showalter/in-real-life-comedians-aren-t-funny/)

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> [“Comedians aren't funny, because comedians try to be funny, and people who try to be funny aren't funny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous-blog-post/comedians-aren-t-funny-because-comedians-try-to-be-funny-and-people/)

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> [We mustn't complain too much of being comedians - it's an honorable profession. If only we could be good ones the world might gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/we-mustn-t-complain-too-much-of-being-comedians-it-s-an-honorable/)

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[Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/)

## More by Michael Showalter

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