I'm probably my biggest critic. I worry that if you spend any quality time reveling in good things then karma will slap you upside the head, so I try to stay as even keel as I'm able.
Neil Patrick HarrisRead
I enjoy darker sardonic wit more than knock-knock jokes. I spent the first healthy chunk of my career playing all-American, pleasant, average, nice people, so it's fun to have some complications there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The author prefers clever and dark humor over simple, light-hearted jokes due to a desire for more complexity in his work.
In this quote, Neil Patrick Harris expresses his preference for sardonic humor, which often involves a darker, more ironic wit, compared to the simplicity of knock-knock jokes. He reflects on his career playing wholesome characters and acknowledges the enjoyment that comes from portraying more nuanced and complicated roles, highlighting a shift from traditional comedic styles to those that require deeper thought and engagement.
Themes
HumorSardonicWitComedyComplexity
In practice
Example use cases
In a stand-up comedy routine discussing the evolution of humor over the years.
More from Neil Patrick Harris
All quotes →I need to stop carving out four-hour chunks to do random things and go home and watch my children grow up.
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I don't know, on a sitcom, and in theatre especially, you have to really be listening to an audience. And if you're losing them, you can hear the sniffs, and the playbills shuffling and whatnot.
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I'm a big proponent of monogamous relationships regardless of sexuality, and I'm proud of how the nation is steering toward that.
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I don't know, but I think kids just want to be listened to, so I want to make sure I do that.
Neil Patrick HarrisRead
It PASSED! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!
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