--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not original, but I strive toward it…" description: "\"I'm not original, but I strive toward it as much as possible. I tried really hard on Weekend Update to do something that I considered original, which w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/norm-macdonald-1825_cleverness_i-m-not-original-but-i-strive-toward-it_2843326.png" --- # I'm not original, but I strive toward it as much as… ![“I'm not original, but I strive toward it as much as possible. I tried really hard on Weekend Update to do something that I considered original, which was, I tried to cut all cleverness out of the joke.” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/norm-macdonald-1825_cleverness_i-m-not-original-but-i-strive-toward-it_2843326.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/norm-macdonald-1825_cleverness_i-m-not-original-but-i-strive-toward-it_2843326.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/norm-macdonald-1825_cleverness_i-m-not-original-but-i-strive-toward-it_2843326.png) > “I'm not original, but I strive toward it as much as possible. I tried really hard on Weekend Update to do something that I considered original, which was, I tried to cut all cleverness out of the joke.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempts originality by stripping jokes of cleverness, aiming for straightforward humor. **In simple terms:** Seek humor without over‑cleverness. Key Takeaway Simplify comedic approach. Themes comedy originality simplicity Mood humorous analytical Type entertainment creative When to use this quote - stand‑up routines - writing workshops - script editing Key Concepts humor theory creative process Questions to Reflect On - Can simplicity be funny? - When does cleverness hinder humor? A Different Perspective Risk of being too plain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cleverness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cleverness/) [Cleverness Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cleverness-joke-3741190/) [Considered Original](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considered-original-3741191/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Original](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original/) [Original Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-tried-3741192/) [Originals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/originals/) [Strive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive/) [Updates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/updates/) [Weekend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weekend/) ## Related quotes > [On Update, the only real original thing was trying to take away the cleverness of the punchline and make it as blunt as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/on-update-the-only-real-original-thing-was-trying-to-take-away-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [While we believe there are fruitful opportunities to update and improve old rules, we do not want to set up a review process that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-thompson/while-we-believe-there-are-fruitful-opportunities-to-update-and/) [Fred Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-thompson/) > [It's time to update traditional public schools, charter schools, home schools, online schools and parochial schools. Let the dollars follow the child instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jindal/it-s-time-to-update-traditional-public-schools-charter-schools-home/) [Bobby Jindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jindal/) > [You really can't do a remake. I mean, 'King Kong' needed its turn to be remade. It needed an update. But the 'Bad News…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-schroeder/you-really-can-t-do-a-remake-i-mean-king-kong-needed-its-turn-to-be/) [Carly Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-schroeder/) > [I have a daily call thats 2.5 hrs with the entire team: from materials, sourcing, manufacturing, design, sensor, firmware... mechanical engineering - all together and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hosain-rahman/i-have-a-daily-call-thats-2-5-hrs-with-the-entire-team-from-materials/) [Hosain Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hosain-rahman/) > [I would say that, in the future, the book will be reserved for things that function best as a book. So, if I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-spiegelman/i-would-say-that-in-the-future-the-book-will-be-reserved-for-things/) [Art Spiegelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-spiegelman/) > [“Now I read the updates on her online profile and she read mine, and that's what we were to each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/now-i-read-the-updates-on-her-online-profile-and-she-read-mine-and/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [I know there's been questions about-so how long does that continue-and we've now been very clear about that, that software updates to Symbian devices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-elop/i-know-there-s-been-questions-about-so-how-long-does-that-continue/) [Stephen Elop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-elop/) > [It amazes me that we are all on Twitter and Facebook. By "we" I mean adults. We're adults, right? But emotionally we're a culture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/it-amazes-me-that-we-are-all-on-twitter-and-facebook-by-we-i-mean/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [Windows Updates have sometimes been a pain point for users. The update pop-ups can interrupt a movie or a video game, and the automatic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-parr/windows-updates-have-sometimes-been-a-pain-point-for-users-the-update/) [Ben Parr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-parr/) > [We're putting all of our energy into making it right. And we have already had several software updates. We've got a huge plan to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/we-re-putting-all-of-our-energy-into-making-it-right-and-we-have/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [Arya Maloney updates the basis and practice of transpersonal psychology by using the spiritual principles of India's masters and the transformational alchemy inherent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-mindell/arya-maloney-updates-the-basis-and-practice-of-transpersonal/) [Arnold Mindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-mindell/) > [I try to update my arsenal constantly. Learning different martial arts since childhood. To understand what's out there. To really be in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-try-to-update-my-arsenal-constantly-learning-different-martial-arts/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Jeph (Loeb) will call me with updates, and I'll go, "Are you f--king with me?" I never saw this coming, and certainly never saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/jeph-loeb-will-call-me-with-updates-and-i-ll-go-are-you-f-king-with/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [There is no such thing as getting anything easy. Trust and believe. Even if you're good at what you do, you still should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-jones/there-is-no-such-thing-as-getting-anything-easy-trust-and-believe/) [Leslie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-jones/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. Jon always makes it funny first. And he's just, he's talking about serious things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-d-say-jon-stewart-has-remained-funny-the-entire-time-jon-always/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/liberty-like-health-appears-most-precious-when-lost/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [In theatres, you're kind of disconnected. Also, it's way too big for the likes of me. Unless you're Robin Williams or someone that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-theatres-you-re-kind-of-disconnected-also-it-s-way-too-big-for-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [So much in L.A. is waiting. It's so irritating. That's what's good about stand-up. You can go away, and you don't have to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/so-much-in-l-a-is-waiting-it-s-so-irritating-that-s-what-s-good-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You ever hear guys with small cocks talk about sex? Can't talk about it enough. They even got poems. They'll say, 'It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/you-ever-hear-guys-with-small-cocks-talk-about-sex-can-t-talk-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/my-dad-died-and-my-grandfather-died-and-my-great-grandfather-died-and/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Louis \[C.K.\] is great. But I don't know how many you could do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/louis-c-k-is-great-but-i-don-t-know-how-many-you-could-do/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I don't have any ego about it, but I find there's not a great work ethic in show business. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-don-t-have-any-ego-about-it-but-i-find-there-s-not-a-great-work/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Many people are skeptical about marriage of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Pressley. They say, Lisa Marie is more of a sit at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/many-people-are-skeptical-about-marriage-of-michael-jackson-and-lisa/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Back in the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now they have to wage a battle. So my Uncle Bert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/back-in-the-old-days-a-man-could-just-get-sick-and-die-now-they-have/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The man that does not fear punishment, little regards crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-man-that-does-not-fear-punishment-little-regards-crime/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) [Explore all 205 Norm MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More Cleverness quotes > [“Rumi observed, “Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-w-dyer/rumi-observed-sell-your-cleverness-and-purchase-bewilderment/) [Wayne W. Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-w-dyer/) > [“Passion often makes a madman of the cleverest man, and renders the greatest fools clever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/passion-often-makes-a-madman-of-the-cleverest-man-and-renders-the/) [François de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [If we fail to appreciate the soul that Easternism gives us, then what we have is a disconnected, Greco-Roman, Western, egocentric, compartmentalized, reductionist, fragmented,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/if-we-fail-to-appreciate-the-soul-that-easternism-gives-us-then-what/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [A fool is a person who guesses and gets it wrong, a clever man is one who guesses, regardless of time period, and gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/a-fool-is-a-person-who-guesses-and-gets-it-wrong-a-clever-man-is-one/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Ultimately, of course, you must decide for yourself whether the subjective psychological effects created by your evolved cognitive biases reflect an objective reality, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-bering/ultimately-of-course-you-must-decide-for-yourself-whether-the/) [Jesse Bering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-bering/) > [Limits have to be set on how far one can simply use the... cleverness that we have to make changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-kass/limits-have-to-be-set-on-how-far-one-can-simply-use-the-cleverness/) [Leon Kass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-kass/) > [Sometimes people try way too hard to sound clever on Facebook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-people-try-way-too-hard-to-sound-clever-on-facebook/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-of-the-greatest-men-have-owed-their-success-to-industry-rather/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [What a curious picture it is to find man, homo sapiens, of divine origin, we are told, seriously considering going underground to escape the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/what-a-curious-picture-it-is-to-find-man-homo-sapiens-of-divine/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [“Neither the Russians nor the Americans were the cleverest people, or the most experienced, in the world that followed 1945. The French were rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-fehrenbach-2/neither-the-russians-nor-the-americans-were-the-cleverest-people-or/) [T.R. Fehrenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-fehrenbach-2/) > [Where there is simplicity, there are a hundred Angels, but where there is cleverness - there are none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-of-optina/where-there-is-simplicity-there-are-a-hundred-angels-but-where-there/) [Ambrose of Optina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-of-optina/) > [Human integrity is determined by the heart, not by cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/human-integrity-is-determined-by-the-heart-not-by-cleverness/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [The art of investment has one characteristic that is not generally appreciated. A creditable, if unspectacular, result can be achieved by the lay investor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-art-of-investment-has-one-characteristic-that-is-not-generally/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [Books are in no hurry. An act of creation is in no hurry; it reads us, it privileges us infinitely. The notion that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-steiner/books-are-in-no-hurry-an-act-of-creation-is-in-no-hurry-it-reads-us/) [George Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-steiner/) [Browse all 406 Cleverness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cleverness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not original, but I strive toward it as much as possible. 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