SNL’s Michael Che & Bridesmaids director Paul Feig reveal the key to great comedy

If you’re a comedy fan, this conversation is for you. Back at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, Bridesmaids and Freaks and Geeks director Paul Feig chatted with SNL co-head writer, actor, and stand-up comedian Michael Che. They discussed movie jail, internet backlash, and why it’s so hard to make good comedy — and now you can hear their insightful discussion for yourself in our Tribeca Talks Podcast.

“Whenever I’m writing a comedy, we’re just basically writing a drama and then we’re gonna kinda bring the funny up,” Feig — also known for directing and co-executive producing The Office — says about comedy writing. He adds: “You have to have a strong story. You have to have real stakes.”

Che, named one of Rolling Stone‘s 50 Funniest People, agrees — then reveals what he thinks is the “most successful comedy of all time” due to the plot’s high stakes. Tap the button below to find out what you should be adding to your must-watch list and to get even more tips about comedy writing.