that he even dimly suspects that there is anything funny about it.” Don’t wink at the audience. Don’t be cute. Don’t laugh along with your jokes. When you appear convincingly unaware that you’re trying to be amusing, when you use verisimilitude to remain true to a “straight person” voice—regardless how ridiculous and humorous the ideas you’re presenting—this is what we call “playing it straight.” The contrast you create between your sober delivery and your hilarious material adds an important layer of Irony to your humor.
