"La clé du succès d'une sitcom est les gens misérables."

The heart of the idea is that sitcoms thrive when they feature characters who are struggling, unhappy, or generally in a state of misery. Why? Because it’s relatable and funny. We laugh at their woes because, deep down, we see a bit of ourselves in their messes and misfortunes.

Think about it: In the late '80s and early '90s, TV shows like "Seinfeld" took this idea and ran with it. The characters were perpetually in some form of distress or dissatisfaction—Jerry with his romantic entanglements, George just being George, Elaine with her career and dating woes, and Kramer... well, Kramer was a whole other ball of chaos. Their misery and the way they dealt with it made us laugh, partly because we’ve been there ourselves.

To see this in action, let’s look at "Friends." Remember Ross and his three divorces? Each one was a disaster in its own right. His misery was a constant source of comedy. We saw him in awkward situations, making bad decisions, and basically struggling with life. But it’s precisely this continuous string of misfortunes that kept us glued to the screen. Every little tragedy was an opportunity for humor.

Now, how do you apply this nugget of wisdom to your own life or creative projects? Let’s say you’re writing your own sitcom or even just trying to make your friends laugh. Embrace the chaos. Don’t be afraid to dive into the awkward, uncomfortable, or downright miserable moments. Lean into the cringe-worthy details. Got a character with a terrible job? Don’t hold back on how awful their boss is or how disastrous their workday can be. Make those moments real and brutal—because within that misery is comedy gold.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and they start telling you about their latest dating disaster. They met someone online, got catfished, and ended up having to pay for an expensive dinner alone. As they recount the story, they’re clearly exasperated, but you can’t help but laugh. Why? Because it’s a trainwreck, and we’ve all felt that kind of secondhand embarrassment. Their misery, in that moment, is your comedy.

So, when you’re creating your sitcom—or just trying to bring a little more humor into your everyday conversations—remember that it’s the struggles, the awkward moments, the sheer misery of daily life that often spark the biggest laughs. Embrace those moments, and you’ll find a wellspring of humor that’s both relatable and endlessly entertaining.