The Gist cover image

The Gist

Writing Comedy

Aug 27, 2024
Simon Rich, a comedic genius known for his work on Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and The New Yorker, shares his insights on writing humor. He discusses the delicate art of comedic storytelling and character development, revealing how discarded ideas can spark new narratives. The conversation touches on the absurdity of aging, especially through the lens of Super Mario's milestone birthday. Rich's new book, 'Glory Days: Stories,' adds a humorous twist to middle age, making audiences laugh while reflecting on life's challenges.
40:13

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Simon Rich's comedic writing, particularly in 'Glory Days,' skillfully combines humor with emotional depth, inviting readers to engage with relatable characters facing modern life challenges.
  • The podcast highlights the differing experiences individuals have with comedic mediums, illustrating how some, like the narrator's son, may prefer auditory comedy over written formats despite literary competence.

Deep dives

Emmett's Reluctance Towards Reading Comedy

The narrator discusses his son, referred to as Emmett, who enjoys various forms of comedy but has a peculiar aversion to reading comedic material. Despite being a competent reader, he finds written comedy lacking in humor, suggesting that the format may dampen the fun. The narrator attempts to bridge this gap by introducing Emmett to Simon Rich's book 'Glory Days,' known for its comedic content, but Emmett remains resistant, preferring to engage with comedy through auditory experiences like audiobooks. This highlights the complexity of humor and the different mediums through which individuals connect with it, suggesting that some people may relate more to performance than written jokes, despite their literary skills.

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