14 Problems Only Comedians Will Understand

3. Some People Don't Understand That Jokes Are Valuable

I don't mean that people don't give enough respect to the craftsmanship that comes with the formulation of the perfect poop joke (so much, so much). Instead, this entry's about the fact that when a comedian makes up a gag on the spot, that's like an author making story notes, or a composer jotting down some sheet music.

You can't just take them.

Recently, comedian Janey Godley complained about Irn-Bru stealing one of her jokes. She was invited in for an on-camera audition and ad-libbed a line. She didn't get the part, but her line made it into the ad. She received no writer's fee.

Jokes have value. We make them and they are worth money to us. If a carpenter makes a table, you can't just take it, claim it as your own and sell it. But comedians suffer because 'it's just a joke, make up another one.'