Divorce is often portrayed as an unhappy and emotionally draining process, filled with tension, heartache, and endless paperwork. But beyond the tears and lawyer meetings, there’s another side to this life-altering experience: the comedy. It may seem counterintuitive initially, but divorce has been a fertile ground for humor in TV, film, and real life. From awkward new beginnings to hilarious miscommunications, the comedies of divorce reveal that sometimes, laughter is the best remedy.
The Unexpected Humor of Divorce: Divorce itself isn’t funny—at least not in the moment. But step back, and you’ll notice that the absurdity of it all can be downright hilarious. Think about it: two people who once shared a deep love are now haggling over who gets to keep the espresso machine or splitting a dog’s visitation rights. It’s surreal, and there’s room for humor in that surrealism.
Divorce comedies tap into this awkward, uncomfortable truth that life can still be funny, even in its darkest moments. Some of the most memorable stories about divorce are the ones that highlight the ridiculousness of it all without losing sight of the genuine emotions involved.
Divorce on the Big Screen: Hollywood has long known that when handled with a light touch, divorce makes for great entertainment. From the quick-witted battles in *The War of the Roses* to the modern-day laugh-fest of *Marriage Story* (yes, it’s funnier than you might think), films about divorce balance heartbreak with humor.
Take *The First Wives Club*, where three women band together after being left for younger partners. What could have been a depressing tale of betrayal becomes a comedy about empowerment, revenge, and friendship. The characters don’t sit in their sorrow for long—they use humor to fight back and reclaim their lives.
Another classic is Mrs. Doubtfire, in which Robin Williams’ character, desperate to spend time with his kids after a messy separation, dresses as an elderly British nanny. The concept is funny, but the humor stems from the character’s earnest, if misguided, attempts to navigate his new role as a single father. The comedy is rooted in his vulnerability, which makes the film both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny.
TV Shows Nailing Divorce Comedy: Television has also embraced the humor of divorce. In shows like *Divorce*, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and *The New Adventures of Old Christine*, awkward post-divorce life is portrayed with brutal honesty—and plenty of laughs.
*Divorce* shows how messy and cringe-worthy starting over can be. Still, the humor emerges from relatable situations: going on bad dates, navigating relationships with your ex, and trying to co-parent. Similarly, *The New Adventures of Old Christine* explores Christine’s attempts to juggle life as a divorced mom while watching her ex-husband move on with someone new. Both shows succeed because they don’t shy away from awkwardness but dive right into it.
Real-Life Divorce Humor: It’s not just on-screen where we find humor in divorce. In real life, many people turn to comedy as a coping mechanism. Whether it’s joking about splitting the Netflix account or creating memes about alimony payments, there’s something cathartic about laughing through the pain.
Humor helps defuse tension and reminds us that joy and laughter are still possible, even in the darkest times. It’s why so many people crack jokes at the most unexpected moments, even when they’re in the middle of a breakup.
Why We Need Divorce Comedies: At its core, divorce comedy shows us that life doesn’t end after a split—it evolves. These stories remind us that it’s okay to laugh at ourselves, even when things aren’t going according to plan. Humor allows us to process the messiness, the awkwardness, and the downright bizarre situations that arise during a divorce.
The comedies about divorce offer hope. They remind us that even when a relationship ends, there’s room for growth, reinvention, and laughter.
So, if you ever find yourself amid a breakup, remember that one day, you might just look back and laugh at how ridiculous it was. After all, as the old saying goes, “Comedy is tragedy plus time.”
So, between the tears, find a bit of laughter.
xoxo
Erin
What’s your favorite comedy about divorce? Whether it’s a film, a TV show, or a real-life moment that made you laugh during a tough time, share your thoughts in the comments below!
Mine: New Comedy Show by: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/ali-wong-single-lady-stand-up