--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you work at comedy too laboriously…" description: "\"If you work at comedy too laboriously, you can kill what's funny in the joke.\" — Richard Russo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/154/richard-russo-1691_comedy_if-you-work-at-comedy-too-laboriously-yo_1813706.png" --- # If you work at comedy too laboriously, you can kill what's… ![“If you work at comedy too laboriously, you can kill what's funny in the joke.” quote by Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/154/richard-russo-1691_comedy_if-you-work-at-comedy-too-laboriously-yo_1813706.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/154/richard-russo-1691_comedy_if-you-work-at-comedy-too-laboriously-yo_1813706.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/154/richard-russo-1691_comedy_if-you-work-at-comedy-too-laboriously-yo_1813706.png) > “If you work at comedy too laboriously, you can kill what's funny in the joke.” [Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-russo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overworking comedy can strip jokes of spontaneity and humor. **In simple terms:** Too much effort kills fun. Key Takeaway Balance effort with playfulness. Themes creativity humor balance Mood lighthearted analytical Type advice observational When to use this quote - stand‑up routine - scriptwriting - improvisation Key Concepts Comedy writing artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - When does polishing become over‑working? - How can you preserve humor while refining? A Different Perspective Excessive control may stifle originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Comedy Laboriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy-laboriously-2137006/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Kill Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-funny-2137007/) [Laboriously Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laboriously-kill-2137008/) [Work Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-comedy-739970/) ## Related quotes > [I always wanted to act and I always wanted to work in comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-povitsky/i-always-wanted-to-act-and-i-always-wanted-to-work-in-comedy/) [Esther Povitsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-povitsky/) > [I worked mostly in television drama for my first few years. 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