When I tell people I’m a comedian they say, ‘Oh, are you funny?’ I say, ‘No, it’s not that kind of comedy.’
Susan Sarandon
Comedians like Susan Sarandon might use different shades of humor to bring a little more light into the world, even if their comedy doesn’t fit the typical expectation of being laugh-out-loud funny. From situational comedy to satire, physical comedy to storytelling, and relatable observations to thought-provoking moments, there are countless ways for comedians to make us smile and connect with the shared human experience. So next time you meet a comedian, remember that their comedy may be more nuanced and multifaceted than just being funny, and they might be aiming to bring joy and understanding one smile at a time.
Table of Contents
Meaning of Quote – When I tell people I’m a comedian they say, ‘Oh, are you funny?’ I say, ‘No, it’s not that kind of comedy.’
When we think about comedians, we often imagine people who can make us laugh until our bellies ache and tears are rolling down our cheeks. But the truth is, comedy isn’t just about telling jokes or having everyone in stitches. The beautiful and talented actress Susan Sarandon once shared a little tidbit about her experiences when she tells people she’s a comedian. She said, “When I tell people I’m a comedian they say, ‘Oh, are you funny?’ I say, ‘No, it’s not that kind of comedy.'”
This may sound puzzling at first, because we might think, “Well, if it’s not funny, how can it be comedy?” But Susan Sarandon is touching on something deep and quite interesting about the world of comedy. There are all different kinds of comedy and ways to make people laugh or smile. Sometimes, the comedy comes from a place that isn’t just about cracking jokes.
One type of comedy that isn’t necessarily about being laugh-out-loud funny is situational comedy. This can be when funny or strange circumstances happen to characters, and we can’t help but chuckle at the weirdness or the misunderstandings that unfold. Think about a show where someone is trying to bake a cake for the first time, and everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong. They might end up covered in flour, or maybe the cake looks more like a pancake. We laugh, not because someone told a joke, but because we can relate to things not going as planned.
Another kind of comedy might come from clever observations about everyday life. Sometimes comedians will talk about ordinary things in such a way that we see the humor in them. For example, maybe theyll talk about their silly dog who chases its own tail or how strange it is that we say “bless you” when someone sneezes. It’s not your classic punchline humor, but it’s relatable and subtly funny because it’s true.
There’s also a form of comedy called satire, where the humor comes from poking fun at serious topics like politics or social issues. This might not make everyone laugh, but it can make people think. Comedians like Susan Sarandon might use their platform to gently highlight important issues, all while making us chuckle a little. Satire is like a nudge and a wink, saying, “Look at this silly thing we do. Maybe we can do better,” but in a playful way.
We can’t forget about physical comedy either. Some comedians use their bodies to tell the joke, like when they trip over something on stage (on purpose, of course) or make funny faces. This doesn’t require witty one-liners, but it’s still comedy because it plays with the unexpected and makes us react with a giggle or a gasp.
Or how about those comedians who tell stories? They might weave a tale about their most embarrassing moment or a family vacation gone wrong. These stories don’t necessarily have jokes, but they’re structured in a way that makes us wait for the punchline, which might be the story itself. It can be a comforting reminder that life doesn’t always have to be so serious.
And then there’s the comedy that’s not about making you laugh at all times. Instead, it’s about bringing a smile to your face, maybe even a thoughtful one, as you relate to the feelings or the situation being shared. Here, the comedy is in the shared human experience, in the “Oh, I’ve been there too” moment.
What Susan Sarandon might be hinting at is that her version of being a comedian doesn’t fit neatly into a category where the goal is to just get laughs. Perhaps her comedy shines through in her acting roles, where she brings characters to life in a way that feels genuine and real, sometimes showing us the lighter side of life through her performances, even if the film isn’t a comedy.
It’s possible too that her comment reflects the idea that as an actor, she has to navigate the world in a way that’s diplomatic and polite, without always showing her full sense of humor. It’s a reminder that comedians, like all of us, wear many hats and have to adapt to different situations, sometimes playing a role that isn’t strictly about being funny.
In the end, comedy is a lot like a box of crayons. Just as there are many different colors we can use to create a picture, there are many different types of laughs we can share when expressing humor. Some colors are bold and bright, like a loud belly laugh, while others are subtle and soft, like a quiet chuckle or a warm smile. But when you mix them all together, you get a beautiful array of human experience, full of joy, thoughtfulness, and connection.
So next time someone mentions theyre a comedian, and your first instinct is to ask, “Oh, are you funny?” remember Susan Sarandons words. Maybe theres more to their comedy than meets the eye. Maybe theyre the kind of artist who paints with shades of humor that aren’t just about being funnythey’re about understanding the world in a way that brings a little more light into it, one smile at a time.
I hope this quote inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
