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Comedy: July 16, 2025 Issue [#13244]




 This week: How to Be Funny
  Edited by: Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

You shouldn't get too close to the truth, because then maybe you stop being funny.
         —Bob Newhart

Actually being funny is mostly telling the truth about things.
         —Bernard Sahlins

I actually think of being funny as an odd turn of mind, like a mild disability, some weird way of looking at the world that you can't get rid of.
         —Calvin Trillin


Letter from the editor

Periodically, someone tells me I'm funny. I tell them, "Yeah, I know, but looks aren't everything."

But it does get me thinking, as things often do: what exactly is it, besides being funny-looking, that makes someone funny and another person... not?

After searching the internet for "how to be funny," I saw a lot of conflicting information. Be yourself; don't be yourself. Blurt out the first thing that comes to mind; keep it to yourself until it's polished. Tell the truth; tell lies. Drink a gallon of water a day; don't drink.

Seems like comedy lives in contradiction.

But I did find one bit of advice over and over again, even in the AI responses that I tried hard to avoid (because machines are notoriously not funny). And I think it's true, but I haven't been able to confirm it yet. Want to know what it is? Here it is:

Don't be unfunny.

This is, I think, akin to the mindset that makes people financially successful. It's simple, too: don't be poor.

Ideally, I'd be rich and funny, but I'll settle for just being filthy, stinking rich. That way, I can reserve the last laugh for myself.


Editor's Picks

Some things that might be funny:

 Employee Of The Month Open in new Window. [13+]
A serious conversation, or is it?
by JustinRock Author Icon


The Old Fishin' Hole Open in new Window. [13+]
Wall Street's crashed but my dream lives on! An entry into Country Music Lovers Contest
by 🌖 HuntersMoon Author Icon


Kitten the Tiger Open in new Window. [E]
There once was a tiger named Kitten...
by 🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace Author Icon


 A Breath of Fresh Air Open in new Window. [E]
Sometimes you have to relieve the tension...
by Vampyr14 Author Icon


 
Absurd Inconsistencies  Open in new Window. [13+]
A comedy with several twists.
by Whitemorn Author Icon


 
"That" Girl Open in new Window. [E]
There's one in every office.
by PCGuyIV Author Icon


Try The Uni Open in new Window. [13+]
Join me on a trip to the local sushi bar.
by W.D.Wilcox Author Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Last time, in "Card Games" Open in new Window., I discussed funny games with cards.

Quick-Quill Author Icon: A person at the airport was playing a one-handed solitaire that confused me. They were patient enough to show me the game, and since then, I have shown it to numerous children with the wiggles and taught them the game. One hand and a lap to lay the discards

         I can only hope that by "one-handed solitaire," you mean an actual card game.


Seabreeze Author Icon: Great newsletter; different, fun. I loved the card game one. I threw in my All Through The Department Store, which was a story that I experience several years ago. Hope you enjoy. [Submitted Item: "All Through DepartmentStore.Com " Open in new Window. [E]]

         Thanks!

So that's it for me for July. See you next month! Until then,

LAUGH ON!!!



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