Poll: Written humour or improvised humour

[MetaKnight19]

Which kind of humour do you prefer, the written kind like The Simpsons (when it was still funny) or the improvised kind like that show Whose Line Is It Anyway. While it is true that penned humour can be funny, if it isn't written well, the joke will just fall flat on its face. The same sort of goes for improv. If you don't adapt to what's being thrown at you, then you'll find people laughing at you, not with you.

 

[Sassafrass]

I love improv.
Especially Whose Line Is It Anyway? Damn U.K for not showing it any more.

 

[Raven's Nest]

I like both but for me it's all about delivery, anyone can make a good joke suck.

But when an improvised joke gets fired off in the right way I usually find it much funnier because you can appreciate the wit.

I hate crap sarcasm though, it's painful when done badly. But full of win when done right a la John Cleese style.

 

[Dancingman]

Improvisation is wonderful, and a greatly unappreciated art, but written stuff can be great too, honestly, I can't discriminate.

 

[theownerer]

I couldnt believed how much I was laughing at Whose line. Its awesome that they can come up with really funny stuff and even songs on the spot.

 

[Jackson - Deathclaw]

i like eddie izzards and ross nobles style of comedy where they start off with something written and then just kind of wander off into other topics and just start improvising all their gear

 

[TheOrangeSocks]

Is QI written or improv? Or a bit of both?

 

[A Weary Exile]

I hate crap sarcasm though, it's painful when done badly. But full of win when done right a la John Cleese style.

Cleese is genius in Fawlty Towers.

OP: Written, usually, but improv is fun to watch especially when the actors screw up.

 

[Lullabye]

after watching amfv, improve is the stuff for me. even if its unintended improve.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Bit of both like in In The Thick of It

 

[DazZ.]

Is QI written or improv? Or a bit of both?

Both.

As long as it is funny I really don't care, I'm more impressed with improv though.

 

[TheDeadGuy]

If you're a fan of improv. I really recommend that you try out an Aussie TV series called "Thank God You're Here". The U.S tried to port it over but it failed quite badly- the Aussie version is definitely funnier. There are some really hysterical moments, mostly some lol moments and only a few 'eh' moments.

 

[Pimppeter2]

I prefer writen, but whatever makes me laugh really

 

[Avatar Roku]

Well that is kind of difficult. Neither Simpsons nor Whose line is actually funny at all... Anyway I prefer stand up so written but with some flexibility.

Although I disagree on Simpsons (early Simpsons, at least) and Whose Line, I agree that standup is the best. You get the best of both worlds (assuming it's a good comedian).

 

[x434343]

I run a damned improv troupe at our school. It runs in a style like Whose Line Is It Anyway.

 

[Dancingman]

Well that is kind of difficult. Neither Simpsons nor Whose line is actually funny at all... Anyway I prefer stand up so written but with some flexibility.

Although I disagree on Simpsons (early Simpsons, at least) and Whose Line, I agree that standup is the best. You get the best of both worlds (assuming it's a good comedian).

Early simpsons is the greatness, but the new episodes have become preachy and the liberal bias has become so painfully obvious that it crosses the line of social parody into the pretentious and annoying.

 

[Sad Robot]

Depends, really. Written stuff is usually, or can be, more intelligent; able to state an opinion or view more efficiently, stays with you, is more quotable and is sometimes a real "work of art". However, in mundane situations improvised stuff tends to be a lot funnier, in the moment I tend to laugh more at it, whereas "prepared" comedy in those kinds of situations feels often contrived and unfunny.

 

[HungryHungryHobo]

I tend to like both but I expect more out of written humor and wont laugh at it as easily as i would improv just because i expect if you have time to actually think it out it should be of a better quality.