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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hicks distinguishes his comedic and poetic roles by noting that material not intended to make people laugh is intended to make them reflect.
In plain terms
I write to make people laugh, but if something doesn't make them laugh, I write it as poetry instead.
What can you take from it?
Art serves different purposes depending on whether it aims for humor or introspection.

Where it applies

  • writing
  • performance
  • critique

Putting it to work

  • categorizing work
  • audience analysis

Questions to consider

  • How do you decide when to joke and when to reflect?
  • What makes something a poem versus a joke?

Another view

Some material might fit both categories or neither, blurring the distinction.

More from Bill Hicks

  1. I have a scoop for you. I stole his act. I camouflaged it with punchlines, and to really throw people off, I did it before he did.

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  2. I was on the airplane coming over here. It's a non-smoking plane - get this, right? No smoking, but they allow children. Hmmm. 'Well, smoking bothers me.' Well…

    Permalink to quote #90
  3. I have been a comedian for a long time, so forgive me while I plaster on a fake smile and plough through this shit one more time.

    Permalink to quote #87

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