A friend read my Chinese restaurant comedy last week. He said he really enjoyed it, adding he “hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.” I’m glad he feels that way. Every comedy writer hopes somebody thinks their work is funny, but his comments got me thinking.  I’ve read lots of comedies, but they usually don’t make me laugh.

This has always been a problem for me.  Don’t know why. The last thing I remember laughing out loud while reading was a Blackadder script.

A lot of times I’ll hear about a script making the rounds that’s supposed to be hilarious.  I’ll read it and wonder “what’s the big deal?”  I guess it takes a certain eye to process and enjoy comedy in written form, but I don’t seem to have it.  More power to those who do.

It’s a lot easier for me to enjoy and appreciate a good joke in it’s intended form, such as a movie or tv show. It also helps to not be the only one watching.  A comedy with an audience of one is never as funny.

It’s even easier to laugh at something audio-based, like a podcast.  Many’s the time I’ve had to stop running because I was laughing so hard at something I just heard.  Would I have this kind of reaction if I had read the bit, rather than heard it?  Hard to say.

My friend said he’d pass the script on to some his industry pals.  Can’t help but wonder if they’ll think it’s funny.