--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing…" description: "\"A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I find most sitcoms embarrassing, too, becau..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg" --- # A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots… ![“A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I find most sitcoms embarrassing, too, because they seem so forced.” quote by Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg) > “A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I find most sitcoms embarrassing, too, because they seem so forced.” [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stand‑up comedy often feels forced, making it uncomfortable for both performers and audiences. **In simple terms:** Comedy can be awkward and embarrassing. Key Takeaway Seek authenticity in humor. Themes comedy performance authenticity Mood irritated reflective Type critical humorous When to use this quote - open mic nights - television writing - improv workshops - audience engagement Key Concepts social anxiety creative expression Questions to Reflect On - Why does forced humor feel off? - What makes comedy feel genuine? A Different Perspective Not all comedy is forced; taste varies widely. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brick wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brick-wall/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Sitcoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitcoms/) [Stand up comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-up-comedy/) ## Related quotes > [Comedy is the result of what's happening, not what people are doing. Because if people are doing comedy. It's embarrassing. The individual elements have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-waltz/comedy-is-the-result-of-what-s-happening-not-what-people-are-doing/) [Christoph Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-waltz/) > [I think I get way too much credit for making what people consider to be smart choices, but it's only because I made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzy-caplan/i-think-i-get-way-too-much-credit-for-making-what-people-consider-to/) [Lizzy Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzy-caplan/) > [I like to say that I was raised by sitcoms, and that my personality is comprised of different characters. Darlene from Roseanne, Denise from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thao-nguyen/i-like-to-say-that-i-was-raised-by-sitcoms-and-that-my-personality-is/) [Thao Nguyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thao-nguyen/) > [I don't watch sitcoms. I really don't. My problem with them is they take so long to film them that there's no spontaneity. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/i-don-t-watch-sitcoms-i-really-don-t-my-problem-with-them-is-they/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [When I was growing up, my mom didn't let me watch a lot of TV. She said I couldn't watch 'Friends' or that era…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-was-growing-up-my-mom-didn-t-let-me-watch-a-lot-of-tv-she-said/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [More teenagers go to movies or rent a tape of a movie than sit down and watch sitcoms on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-cohn/more-teenagers-go-to-movies-or-rent-a-tape-of-a-movie-than-sit-down/) [Mindy Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-cohn/) > [I grew up on network sitcoms. If those are gone when I'm 65 years old, I would never forgive myself for not stepping up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harmon/i-grew-up-on-network-sitcoms-if-those-are-gone-when-i-m-65-years-old/) [Dan Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harmon/) > [It feels like animation has a little more independence than traditional sitcoms ever did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jon-benjamin/it-feels-like-animation-has-a-little-more-independence-than/) [H. Jon Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jon-benjamin/) > [I will not be doing any more sitcoms, unless it's my own or a movie or I'm directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redman/i-will-not-be-doing-any-more-sitcoms-unless-it-s-my-own-or-a-movie-or/) [Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/redman/) > [I could have stayed in L.A. and done sitcoms for awhile and will probably go back and do one I hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-martin/i-could-have-stayed-in-l-a-and-done-sitcoms-for-awhile-and-will/) [Andrea Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-martin/) > [We have a great time on that show, and we enjoy one another's company on stage and off. And sitcoms don't have bad schedules.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurtwood-smith/we-have-a-great-time-on-that-show-and-we-enjoy-one-another-s-company/) [Kurtwood Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurtwood-smith/) > [I wish there was more for minorities than sitcoms. I'd like to see a soap opera about blacks. People don't live in isolation anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxie-roker/i-wish-there-was-more-for-minorities-than-sitcoms-i-d-like-to-see-a/) [Roxie Roker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxie-roker/) > [I really hate sitcoms on television with canned laughter and stuff. What really makes me laugh is the real-life stuff. I've got a dry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-price/i-really-hate-sitcoms-on-television-with-canned-laughter-and-stuff/) [Katie Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-price/) > [Nerves are always a big problem for me, which is why I loved doing American sitcoms. Because you know when you do the take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cleese/nerves-are-always-a-big-problem-for-me-which-is-why-i-loved-doing/) [John Cleese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cleese/) > [I mean, sitcoms shouldn't be doing 'Saturday Night Live.' You can't just do bit after bit after bit. You have to string it together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-dewitt/i-mean-sitcoms-shouldn-t-be-doing-saturday-night-live-you-can-t-just/) [Joyce DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-dewitt/) ## More by Tracey Ullman > [Every character I do is based on someone I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/every-character-i-do-is-based-on-someone-i-know/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [It's like a woman's birthright to knit. It's primal. It's timeless. You don't need electricity to knit. You can do it with a candle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/it-s-like-a-woman-s-birthright-to-knit-it-s-primal-it-s-timeless-you/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [My influences were Peter Sellers and the great British character actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/my-influences-were-peter-sellers-and-the-great-british-character/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I've never looked ahead very much in my life. I've never had any grand plan from the outset. I had no burning ambition to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-ve-never-looked-ahead-very-much-in-my-life-i-ve-never-had-any-grand/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I grew up with Jilly and Tamsin driving Volvos. But I wasn't one of them... I always felt more comfortable with Cockney and working-class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-grew-up-with-jilly-and-tamsin-driving-volvos-but-i-wasn-t-one-of/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [You become so encapsulated in this world of being a star. People listen to what you say, you have this voice, it becomes unreal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/you-become-so-encapsulated-in-this-world-of-being-a-star-people/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I'm fascinated by Bollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-m-fascinated-by-bollywood/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I worked with Paul McCartney for a while and saw what it does to you to be treated like a god for twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-worked-with-paul-mccartney-for-a-while-and-saw-what-it-does-to-you/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I like going to France, because no one knows who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-like-going-to-france-because-no-one-knows-who-i-am/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [There are different types of love, and my love for my child is like me and my mum. We've gone through a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/there-are-different-types-of-love-and-my-love-for-my-child-is-like-me/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [The show I did in England catered to a broad range of people. I like that. I don't want nouveau cult status, though I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/the-show-i-did-in-england-catered-to-a-broad-range-of-people-i-like/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I've always been a misfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-ve-always-been-a-misfit/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I love John Waters. There's stuff in it that's beyond the boundaries of my taste, but his movies have always been like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-love-john-waters-there-s-stuff-in-it-that-s-beyond-the-boundaries/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [Did you know David Letterman was offered millions of dollars to do a commercial for dog food?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/did-you-know-david-letterman-was-offered-millions-of-dollars-to-do-a/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [It's sometimes shocking to find out what people really believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/it-s-sometimes-shocking-to-find-out-what-people-really-believe-in/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) [Explore all 57 Tracey Ullman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) ## More Against quotes > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I'm not against gay people. I have a relative who is also gay. We can't help it if they were born that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-pacquiao/i-m-not-against-gay-people-i-have-a-relative-who-is-also-gay-we-can-t/) [Manny Pacquiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-pacquiao/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [We do not know which irresponsible Israeli prime minister will take office and decide to use nuclear weapons in the struggle against neighboring Arab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mordechai-vanunu/we-do-not-know-which-irresponsible-israeli-prime-minister-will-take/) [Mordechai Vanunu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mordechai-vanunu/) > [In France they spend six months training policemen, then they give them a gun and put them on the streets, and I don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathieu-kassovitz/in-france-they-spend-six-months-training-policemen-then-they-give/) [Mathieu Kassovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathieu-kassovitz/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [I don't have any regrets or hold any grudge against anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cooper-kupp/i-don-t-have-any-regrets-or-hold-any-grudge-against-anyone/) [Cooper Kupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cooper-kupp/) > [Ronaldo will always score against everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-chiellini/ronaldo-will-always-score-against-everyone/) [Giorgio Chiellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-chiellini/) > [Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it was more or less an understanding in the entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/well-just-that-there-would-be-somebody-in-the-office-and-the-voters/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [It goes way, way back when we were under Sweden's rule. We always think they are better than us. We played against them so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saku-koivu/it-goes-way-way-back-when-we-were-under-sweden-s-rule-we-always-think/) [Saku Koivu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saku-koivu/) > [I'm against unanswerable concentrations of power, whether that be government or private industry or religious figures - anybody who is not accountable to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/i-m-against-unanswerable-concentrations-of-power-whether-that-be/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [I'm an Indian and I shall not do anything that goes against my ethos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherlyn-chopra/i-m-an-indian-and-i-shall-not-do-anything-that-goes-against-my-ethos/) [Sherlyn Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherlyn-chopra/) Browse all 2,190 Against quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I find most sitcoms embarrassing, too, because they seem so forced.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tracey Ullman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing-too-many-idiots-doing-it-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Against" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing-too-many-idiots-doing-it-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f0/tracey-ullman-11932_against_a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing_264189.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A lot of stand-up comedy is embarrassing: too many idiots doing it in orange neckties against brick walls. I…” — Tracey Ullman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tracey Ullman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A lot of stand-up comedy is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing-too-many-idiots-doing-it-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/a-lot-of-stand-up-comedy-is-embarrassing-too-many-idiots-doing-it-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```