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 expresses his belief that the core of comedy at Second City lies in the acting and character development rather than in traditional jokes. When he says he's "a bug on acting," Sahlins indicates a deep passion for the craft of acting and the importance of character in creating humor. He distinguishes Second City from other comedy revues by emphasizing that the humor in their performances arises from the behavior of the characters, not from scripted punchlines.

Sahlins makes it clear that he doesn't find jokes themselves inherently funny, which contrasts with traditional comedy where punchlines and set-up jokes often drive the humor. Instead, he believes that humor is rooted in character and emerges from the situations those characters are placed in. By focusing on how characters react and interact within different contexts, Sahlins argues that comedy becomes more authentic and relatable.

This approach was a defining feature of Second City, where performances were often based on improvisation and situational comedy. Rather than relying on pre-written jokes, humor at Second City grew from the spontaneity of the characters' actions and their responses to unexpected events. The focus on character-driven humor allowed for more dynamic and organic comedic moments, which set Second City apart from other performance groups.

Ultimately, Sahlins' quote reflects his commitment to a deeper, more character-driven approach to comedy. He saw acting as the foundation of humor, with jokes serving as secondary to the authentic responses and behaviors of the characters. This philosophy shaped the unique style of comedy at Second City, where humor was derived from the nuances of character and the unexpected dynamics within the situations they faced.