Because of its sporadic nature, improvisation has the potential to make or break a joke. Comedy is often produced as a result of improvisation, though there is never a guarantee that the comedian's sense of humor will be identical to the sense of humor of those he is trying to entertain. When a joke doesn't have a prayer for success, Bryner said the best way to preserve one's reputation as a comedian is to revert to the oldest trick in the book. That's what you revert to when things aren't going well. But even though obscenity may be an easy way to pull a joke out of a hole, Godar said it isn't always the most respectable route to take.
Cleverness takes thought and skill, while obscenities can be thrown around by anyone.
Yes, even comedians sometimes have to take the easy way out to successfully get the job done. But it's difficult to get mad at someone who's ultimate goal is to put a smile on the face of another person. I think it's a shame that people who are loud and outgoing are the only ones people think are the funny people. Copyright 1998 by the Iowa State Daily Publications Board. All rights reserved.