Comedy is tragedy plus time, but the time is different for everybody.
Mike BirbigliaRead
Every comedian comes to a fork in the road where they have to decide if they're going to make jokes about other people or make jokes about themselves. I chose myself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the choice comedians face between self-deprecation and making fun of others, highlighting the personal choice for self-reflection in humor.
Mike Birbiglia's quote reflects on the journey of a comedian, illustrating the pivotal moment when they must decide on their comedic style. By choosing to make jokes about himself rather than others, Birbiglia underscores the power of vulnerability and self-acceptance in comedy, showing that humor can stem from personal experiences and self-critique rather than at the expense of others.
Themes
ComedySelf-DeprecationHumorChoiceVulnerability
In practice
Example use cases
In a stand-up routine to connect with the audience on a personal level.
More from Mike Birbiglia
All quotes →Someone gave me a piece of advice once, my first manager Lucien Hold. He said, 'If you do stand-up about your own life, no one can steal it.' I always thought that was the best piece of advice.
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