I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not from the jokes. I don't think jokes are funny. Humor comes out of character and out of situations the character is in.

In this quote, Bernard Sahlins explains his approach to acting and how it distinguishes Second City from many other comedy revues. He describes himself as a "bug on acting," suggesting that he is deeply passionate about the character and behavior of performers, which he believes are the key to creating humor. According to Sahlins, the focus of Second City is not on jokes but on the authenticity and depth of the characters, which make the humor more organic and relatable.

Sahlins argues that humor doesn't come from jokes alone, which he claims are not inherently funny. Instead, he believes that humor emerges from the situations the characters find themselves in and how they react to them. The essence of comedy, in his view, lies in the way a character responds to their environment, creating natural, character-driven humor rather than relying on scripted punchlines or jokes.

This philosophy sets Second City apart from other comedy groups that may rely more heavily on the structure of jokes. By focusing on character and the behavior of the actors, Sahlins and Second City aimed to create humor that feels more grounded in realism and improvisation. It emphasizes the importance of situational comedy and the way characters navigate unpredictable circumstances.

Ultimately, Sahlins' quote reflects his belief that acting and character development are the heart of comedy. Rather than depending on external punchlines or set jokes, the true humor comes from the nuances of the character’s actions and the situations they are placed in. This approach to comedy was central to Second City’s legacy, where spontaneous, character-driven performances paved the way for a new style of comedic theater.