Balancing Comedy and Drama/Tension

[TheCrystallineEntity]

My stories tend to be either dark and dramatic or lighthearted and humourous. I have a difficult time finding a middle path. I'm slightly envious of how well Doctor Who [my favourite show besides Star Trek] manages to make both work, often simultaneously in one scene.

Does anyone here have the same problem, or know any methods of straddling the two extremes adequately?

 

[Penpilot]

I was listening to the writer commentary for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. The writers there said Whedon told them to find the funny in the sad and the sad in the funny. And that helped them balance comedy and drama.

Eg. The monster is going to eat us. But hey now I don't have to study for my algebra test.

Hey there's more than one way to skin a cat right? But eww. Poor cat.

Not the best of examples but they get the point across I think.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

"find the funny in the sad and the sad in the funny."
I've never thought of it like that before. Interesting.