Comedy has changed over the years, but some films remain funny no matter how much time passes. One of the best examples? Airplane!—the 1980 classic that still makes audiences laugh today.
The mastermind behind it, David Zucker, has spent decades perfecting the art of comedy. From The Naked Gun to Scary Movie 3 & 4, he’s mastered the formula for crafting jokes that never get old. But what’s his secret? In a recent interview, Zucker shared his thoughts on comedy, casting, and why some jokes stand the test of time.
1. Great Comedy Isn’t About Being Funny – It’s About Being Real
You might assume that comedy is all about delivering jokes, but Zucker sees it differently.
“Great comedy isn’t about being funny—it’s about being real in ridiculous situations,” Zucker explains.
This was the key to Airplane!’s success. Instead of casting traditional comedians, Zucker and his team hired serious dramatic actors like Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, and Robert Stack. Their deadpan delivery made the absurdity around them even funnier.
Imagine if a comedian had played the role of Dr. Rumack instead of Leslie Nielsen. His iconic line—“I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.”—wouldn’t have had the same impact if a comedian winked at the audience. Instead, Nielsen’s delivery made it comedy gold.
Lesson: In comedy, the funniest moments often come from playing it straight. If your characters believe in the absurdity, the audience will, too.
2. Jokes Need Strong Storytelling to Work
One of the biggest mistakes in comedy? Prioritizing jokes over story.
Zucker admits that while Top Secret! and Basketball had hilarious moments, they didn’t resonate as strongly because they lacked strong character arcs.
“We didn’t give Val Kilmer a character in the first act. He needed to have an intrinsic psychological problem,” Zucker says about Top Secret!
The same rule applies to Basketball, where the protagonists were funny but lacked emotional depth. The lesson here? Comedy works best when the story comes first. If the audience cares about the characters, the jokes land even harder.
Lesson: Build a strong foundation with compelling storytelling, and the comedy will naturally shine.
3. Timing is Everything – But So Is the Unexpected
A well-timed joke can make or break a scene, but Zucker also believes in the power of the unexpected.
Throughout his films, there are jokes that catch audiences off guard, like the Airplane! scene where a woman throws her baby into the air during a panic. These blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments keep viewers engaged and make repeat viewings even funnier.
He also embraces the rule of “That Didn’t Happen”—where ridiculous things occur in one scene and are completely forgotten in the next. A great example? In Naked Gun, Leslie Nielsen and George Kennedy eat pistachio nuts until their lips turn pink—but in the next scene, it’s as if it never happened.
These details make the humor feel spontaneous rather than predictable.
Lesson: Surprise your audience. The best comedy comes from unexpected moments that catch people off guard.
4. Comedy Evolves – But the Core of Funny Stays the Same
Over the years, Hollywood has changed how it approaches comedy, but Zucker believes that truly great humor remains timeless.
“Audiences still laugh at Airplane! because it doesn’t rely on trends—it relies on structure, delivery, and absurdity,” he says.
Today’s comedy often leans on pop culture references, but those jokes quickly become outdated. Zucker’s films focus on universally funny scenarios, which is why they still work decades later.
Lesson: If you want your comedy to last, avoid trendy references. Focus on character-driven humor and clever writing instead.
5. Never Wait for Permission to Create
Zucker is no stranger to Hollywood roadblocks. Despite creating some of the most successful comedies ever, he’s found himself shut out of major projects—including Naked Gun 4.
Instead of giving up, he’s taking a different approach: independent funding.
“Rejection isn’t the end—it just means you have to make your own way,” Zucker says.
He’s currently working on new projects outside of the studio system, proving that persistence is key in any creative industry.
Lesson: If the industry doesn’t open doors for you, build your own. Creativity thrives when you take control of your own projects.
Final Thoughts: What We Can Learn from David Zucker
David Zucker’s approach to comedy is a masterclass in storytelling, timing, and originality. His films have stood the test of time because they rely on strong characters, unexpected humor, and a commitment to playing it straight.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, a writer, or just someone who loves a good laugh, Zucker’s lessons are worth remembering:
✅ Take comedy seriously—real reactions make absurdity funnier
✅ Story comes first—if you care about the characters, the jokes hit harder
✅ Surprise your audience—unexpected humor keeps them engaged
✅ Think long-term—timeless jokes beat trendy references
✅ Don’t wait for permission—if no one gives you an opportunity, create your own
Zucker’s work proves that while trends may come and go, great comedy never gets old.