Simmons Here And Now

In this lively installment, co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan invite you to a sun-soaked, tropical "vacation" where the drinks are (supposedly) flowing and the conversation is all about the magic of comedy. But don’t let the tiki vibes fool you—today’s theme is comedy alchemy: turning tragedy into hilarity.Alex and Chris dive deep into the art of weaving humor into even the heaviest of stories, sharing their backgrounds in comedy and breaking down classic examples from screenwriting, television, and stand-up. They tackle common misconceptions about writing humor, reveal the importance of character-driven comedy, and discuss how some of the most serious subjects—such as grief, trauma, and social injustice—can be made more accessible through laughter.From the slapstick genius of Laurel and Hardy to the masterful storytelling of Richard Pryor, plus lessons from sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Ties, and Scrubs, this episode is packed with real-world advice for writers looking to bring light into the da