You’d think working on a comedy would be a fun-filled, joke-laden romp.
Nope.
As you may have heard, comedy’s a tough row to hoe. Everybody has a different take on what they consider funny, so it takes a lot of work.
A lot.
One of my current endeavors is overhauling a low-budget comedy spec. It’s been a long, slow process – with a lot of moments of frustration and aggravation.
When I write, sometimes I just overthink things, which makes feeling stuck seem that much bigger and insurmountable. Not uncommon.
It probably also doesn’t help that writing comedy is a totally different world than writing a rollercoaster ride-type adventure. The latter has definitely gotten easier for me, while the former…
Let’s just say I’m still on a bit of a learning curve.
Despite all the obstacles, there’s still one powerful positive about this – I think it’s a fun concept with a new and unique approach and, if executed properly, would be a really good script.
So I do what I can to work my way through.
K could see the toll the stress was taking on me, and suggested I hit the metaphoric pause button and simply take a couple of deep breaths to help clear my head.
And wouldn’t you know? It did help.
After that last exhalation, the problems don’t seem as huge. Sure, they’re still there, but what originally seemed like “How in the world am I going to do that?” has now turned into “There is a solution here, and I shall find it.”
A little calm and rational thinking can do wonders to help you regain and maintain your footing after a little stumbling. I heartily recommend it.
Maximum Z 
You just sound human. And normal.
One of the more interesting things I’ve learned: Whatever you want to accomplish on-screen, there is always a solution. Within the limits of character, surprise is always good. In humor, surprise is vital. Humor, moreover, is as unexpected to you when you’re hunting for it as it will be to the audience when they see it. Anything that violates the audience’s expectations will be funny at some level.
Case in point: “Lady Felicia” screams in (almost) every episode of “Fr. Brown.” We expect it; it’s set up as part of her character. In one episode, a body is discovered (as usual). As Lady Felicia opens her mouth for her scream, another character dashes in front of her, screams, and rushes away, leaving Lady Felicia standing there, preempted, agape. Total screen time, about 2.5 seconds.