It’s funny ’cause it’s true
The old saying, “It’s funny ’cause it’s true,” is certainly true. Things that are often the funniest are things that are often the truest. It’s why sitcoms like Seinfeld do so well and why people like Larry David are such comic geniuses. The shows are based on truth and he knows exactly how to key in on that! So yes, “It’s funny ’cause it’s true,” is true… but, just because something is true doesn’t make it funny.
Take, for example, the cartoon on Freelance Switch. Now don’t misunderstand me (comic creator dude) it is a great comic! Incredibly well drawn, very insightful, even makes me think, “Yep…” sometimes, but, it’s never really funny.
I put this in the same category as The Family Circus (which I honestly hope was never meant to be funny). Both comment on things that are very true about life. One about life in the freelance world, the other about life in a family. Both are very well done. Both even have few frames… never more than 3 on average. But neither of them are really funny.
I think people forget the real reason why things are funny. They’re funny because they’re funny! That’s it. Nothing more. The truth of something is only a side-note. I doubt Larry David tries to think of TRUE things to then write jokes about… he thinks of FUNNY things that also happen to be true. He’s not pigeon holed into one genre of circumstances… the reason so many comics end up failing. He has the whole world to comment on, and he does it wonderfully!
So… next time you think something will be funny because it’s true… stop, sit down, count to ten, then eat some chicken.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Actually, this one is pretty funny. Or at least made me think “Yep” with a smile on my face.
September 21st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I had the funniest thing to say in response to this. You were going to read it and be all, “Who is this girl!? This is soo funny!”. But then I just gave up.
I do like me some Family Circus.