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When I was a young writer, I was hired to write for a successful TV comedy show. The show’s star was a legendary comedian whom I’d admired since childhood, and the chance to write a sketch that he would act in was a dream come true for me. I remember arriving on the set almost an hour before anyone else, and waiting excitedly for the crew. The comedian and his fellow actor got the tone right in one of the very first takes, and when they finished, everyone on the set rolled about laughing. “That’s it,” said the comic, “we’ve nailed it. Lunch time.” But the director disagreed: “Hang on. That was good, but I have an idea for how we can make it even funnier.” “There’s no need,” said the comic, putting a reassuring hand on the director’s shoulder, “it’s funny enough as it is. Let’s go eat.”

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