I m speaking, after all, to a roomful of journalists highly talented, easily spooked. I ll settle for a quick show of hands. I begin, my voice the very essence of timidity. I press my advantage.
Some heads are nodding.
Some heads are nervous. I try another one. We re talking about humor sharp or subtle, witty or wacky or wicked. Humor in newspapers the very idea makes some otherwise confident writers, writers just like the ones in this room, turn suddenly humid. And their editors are often every bit as nervous.