Comedy

How Comedy Helps Us Deal with Hard Truths | Roy Wood Jr. | TED

There’s a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Perhaps that’s why some of our biggest problems feel easiest to manage with a dose of humor. Comedian, journalist and actor Roy Wood Jr. has spent his career finding the silly in the serious and using this tactic to influence real change. Listen in to learn…

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There’s a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Perhaps that’s why some of our biggest problems feel easiest to manage with a dose of humor. Comedian, journalist and actor Roy Wood Jr. has spent his career finding the silly in the serious and using this tactic to influence real change. Listen in to learn how you can tap into the powers of humor in your own life.

This conversation, hosted by comedian Chris Duffy, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas:

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22 Comments

  1. John Barimo

    October 30, 2023 at 8:22 am

    ❤ your work Roy. Please keep on keeping on. I’m so baffled why Comedy Central hasn’t rolled out the red carpet for you to the Daily Show’s anchor chair. Maybe you have better things are on your horizon.

  2. ThizzMarley

    October 30, 2023 at 8:25 am

    Ted talk talking about comedy ohh the irony ..from a guy that was given amazing shows and crashed and burned both

  3. jaxx1108

    October 30, 2023 at 8:31 am

    Thank you for such a good insightful interview.😘💕💕💕I respect Roy Wood Jr., I enjoy his humor 😂😂😂😂😂

  4. Ima Catherine Maia

    October 30, 2023 at 8:51 am

    Roy, your wall in the background is hilarious 😂
    My vote is yours for the desk at the Daily Show (I wish they would let the audience vote – you’d win it, no contest)!!

  5. Searching For Match

    October 30, 2023 at 9:14 am

    You have to be able to laugh at the absurd to keep from crying

  6. nabbunsechkie

    October 30, 2023 at 9:15 am

    Oh no, are they gonna cancel him too? Some ppl are just too fragile to hear the truth. I’m looking at both of you guys on the extreme left and off the charts right.

  7. hocine bendahgane

    October 30, 2023 at 9:53 am

    thank you

  8. Motivation

    October 30, 2023 at 12:59 pm

    Comedy’s role in dealing with hard truths is invaluable. It acts as a therapeutic and social tool, enabling individuals and communities to navigate challenging aspects of life with greater resilience and understanding.

  9. Shane Simpson

    October 30, 2023 at 2:21 pm

    Laughter is the best medicine. Unless you’re asthma, in which case, it’s ventolin.

  10. Andy Cordy

    October 30, 2023 at 2:44 pm

    I’m a foreigner. I don’t know this man’s work and as usual unpicking comedy is as dry as ditchwater. However, there is some essential information and wisdom here for all of us because the ignorance and arrogance of the American right threatens all of us and the death of democracy in America has a direct impact of our lives

  11. Rosemary Irwin

    October 30, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    Everything Roy Wood Junior does is worth listening to! Thank you for featuring him on this important topic.

  12. Casey Hillebrand

    October 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    Roy Wood Jr in a TED Talk? Yes please.

  13. Liliana Soares

    October 30, 2023 at 9:28 pm

    Such an interesting topic

  14. Destiny Mayberry

    October 30, 2023 at 10:49 pm

    I’m tired of comedians getting attacked it’s ridiculous

  15. costafilh0

    October 31, 2023 at 1:14 am

    I think you mean “it used to”. Because nowadays you can’t make a joke for fear of ending up in prison or worse.

  16. autumnasmr

    October 31, 2023 at 1:49 am

    I stopped watching Ted talks but didn’t realize that they did interviews that are both entertaining and informational

  17. Sunflower Zing

    October 31, 2023 at 3:30 am

    What a fantastic interview 🙌

    The vital oil in life is a sense of humor. The equipment squeaks & 
    moans without it.
    Nothing about life is so 
    difficult or depressing, but it 
    does settle down before a 
    good laugh 😄

  18. Lone Wolf

    October 31, 2023 at 3:34 am

    Everytime I see a South African flag hanging outside of a home that is insid SOUTH AFRICA, I treat it as a red flag.

  19. Nordic39

    October 31, 2023 at 11:47 am

    this is the black guy from the office right?

    • Beunibster

      October 31, 2023 at 11:57 am

      Yes, this is Patrice O’Neal

    • Nordic39

      October 31, 2023 at 4:51 pm

      @Beunibster thanks

  20. incognito spider

    October 31, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    Fun

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